Say It Through Flowers

By Lori West

Anyplace in the world, people like to express their feelings through actual speech, actions, or through presents that straightforwardly or indirectly convey their genuine messages. The proliferation of flower shops world-wide reflects the importance that people give to flowers when it comes to passing them as gifts or as a way to communicate messages that they like to state in a more dramatic manner.

Even As music is stated as a worldwide language, flowers are also universal not only because they are found anywhere in the world but also because they are what people normally pass on to allies and loved ones to express themselves. Flowers are distributed for many reasons and occasions: as birthday or anniversary gifts, expressions of sympathy, enamored gifts, among others.

Placing orders for flowers and shareing them as gifts may likewise be very convenient and can also save a person's face specially during desperate moments of looking for an immediate present after neglecting a loved one's natal day or their anniversary. Giving flowers as endowments in such times can effectively cover for the truth that the sender forgot and nearly overlooked the appointment. Of course, it is a completely different story when the date in question is past. In this case, flowers can instead be given as an apologia to make up for the sender's neglect.

It is up to the receiver if they will receive the apologia, however granting a specially pricy and lovely flower presentation does help soften people's firmness in most cases.

This explicates the existence of expanding flower businesses around the world. People do not run out of affairs and rationalities to transmit endowments to their friends and loved ones, and a lot of them do by sending flowers. There are also flower stores that can ship worldwide, giving customers the real convenience of giving their orders by way of phone or over the Internet and the assurance that their chosen flowers will reach their recipients fresh and on schedule. - 32376

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You Can Have Success Growing Herbs in Pots

By Tony Stevens

Growing herbs indoors is an excellent way to add to your herb garden. It is no more challenging to plant herbs in containers than it is to plant them out doors. They can also be grown indoors in sunny window boxes, hanging baskets or regular pots. Whether in or out doors, herbs need the same basic things.

All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. Herbs are no exception. Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. You should place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with "grow lamps" or fluorescent lamps.

Herbs are not too picky about having rich soil or potting medium. The soil needs to drain freely, though, and additional gravel in the bottom of the pot or container helps to promote good drainage. A rule of thumb if purchasing soil is to combine two parts soil to one part perlite or sharp sand. Naturally you will want the soil to be sterilized to avoid bringing pests into your herb garden. Occasionally it is necessary to "sweeten" the soil for your herbs. You do this with horticultural lime at a rate of about one teaspoon for each five inch pot of soil.

Herbs grown in pots also need water. Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions. Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water then herbs that are grown in a garden but, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.

Growing herbs in pots gives you freedom of movement. You can place your herbs anywhere you choose and keep them in easy reach for use. Depending on whether or not your herbs are annual or perennial, you can keep them indoors all year round. If your herbs are of the annual variety they can spend the entire year indoors. You will have better luck if you put your perennial herbs out doors for the warmer months and bring them in before frost so the leaves do not drop.

All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others. Mint is an herb that needs to be contained or it will take over the garden. Over all it is fairly easy to maintain an indoor herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking. With these tips listed above, you will be able to care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant. You should also include periodic light feeding and yearly repotting for optimum health of the herbs.

You will also have to remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want as well as harvest them occasionally. It is no secret that pruning plants encourages new growth. This rule also applies to herbs. So use them in your recipes, store them and give them away to friends. - 32376

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Speak Using The Language Of Flowers

By Forrest Jackson

Dating back to ancient times, flowers have been used as a gesture of kindness. We usually give them to those we love and care for. We gift flowers to show them how important they are, to show appreciation, to celebrate an occasion, or even to sympathize. What we don't know is that giving certain kinds of flowers, and even their colors, actually have definitions of their own.

Floriography: (Language Of Flowers)

During Renaissance and medieval times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in art where saints are often shown with flowers that symbolize the saints' virtues. In an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal, Liana DeGirolami Cheney said that "some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn."

Back in Victorian times, flowers were used initially to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, often called floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. During the 18th century, sending cyphered messages using flowers became popular. Based on Persian Salaam, a Turkish secret language of flowers, a coded flower arrangement was sent to show feelings of attraction, even love.

A book entirely about flower interpretations by Madame Charlotte de la Tour, "Le Language des Fleurs," dates back to 1819. Another book was written in 1884, titled "Language of Flowers" by Kate Greenaway, and it is still being used nowadays.

Japan also has a language of flowers, which they call "Hanakotoba." Greeting cards in Japan use the Hanakotoba code, and still use the flower-language in popular culture such as in films and animation, like the anime program "Wei Kreuz."

Popular Flower Meanings

Buy or borrow a flower dictionary to see the several meanings and interpretations of flowers. Some of the most well-known flowers and their interpretations are listed below:

Buttercup - riches Pink carnations - a woman's love Chrysanthemum - love in general Forget-me-not - true love Lavender - devotion, distrust Purple lilac - first emotion of love White lily - purity Peach blossom- long-life Red rose - true love Sunflower - pure and noble thoughts Yellow tulip - hopeless love - 32376

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How to Attract Wildlife to Your Flower Garden

By Pat Lowe

Organic gardens involve the use of all-natural compost, garden tools and pest deterrents. When you're flower gardening, you may want to consider creating an ecosystem where wildlife and other animals can thrive. Perhaps you enjoy the wonderment of walking through the garden and seeing ladybugs, praying mantises, dragonflies, hummingbirds and butterflies enjoying your natural creation as much as you do. Here are some gardening tips to create an enduring, wildlife-friendly garden.

If you are interested in creating a garden that will attract song birds, then you can incorporate a few special shrubs, annuals, perennials, native and cultivated plants to entice them to your yard. By growing plants from each group, you can supply fruits and seeds for every time of the year to keep the birds singing all year long. Be sure to include a bird bath and toss seeds around in the wintertime to keep your bird clan satisfied.

Furthermore, think about the fact that, as well as your flowers, birds like trees for protection, nesting and shelter from the weather. Frequently the trees even provide food like berries, sap and seeds. You can choose deciduous trees such as black walnut, red mulberry, dogwood, sassafras, American mountain ash, chestnut, and hazelnut, as well as coniferous trees including blue spruce, American holly, red cedar white cedar, Douglas fir, California juniper and ponderosa pine.

Flower gardening is an important source of food for sparrows, finches and other songbirds. You can try perennials like penstemon, tickseed, bee balm, goldenrod, cosmos, purple coneflower and four o' clocks, or you may try annuals like sunflowers, asters, bachelor's button, spider flower, snapdragons and cockscomb. Garden guides also recommend planting shrubs and vines where birds can hide from predators and seek out food. Some tasty plants (like cherries and raspberries) are preferable to our flying friends, but they're picked clean in a hurry. On the other hand, birds can be seen feasting all year long on elderberries, blackberries, huckleberries, chokecherries, bayberries, Oregon grapes, beauty-berries, silver-berries, blueberries, crab apples, cranberries and currants all year long.

If you're flower gardening to attract butterflies, then you will need a place for the insects to gather water, to seek solace from the sun and predators, as well as sources to breed and feed. With the exception of monarchs and other migrators, butterflies generally don't like to migrate too far from what they need, so if your yard has it all, you're likely to keep these beautiful insects around. Garden supplies stores online sometimes sell butterflies from farms that you can let loose in your backyard once it's all set up to jumpstart the process. - 32376

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Inexpensive Gift Ideas For Gardeners And Decorators

By Chris Channing

Keeping a garden takes time and patience. Some don't realize it's an actual hobby and not just the average chore of a home owner. If you know someone that takes great pride in their garden, start looking at gifts that you can buy them for the Winter holidays. Most are inexpensive and you can be as creative as you need.

Even an expert in gardening techniques has room to expand his or her knowledge. New techniques and information comes out every year, as well as products and advice columns. Likewise, it would be a thoughtful gift to give a gardener a publication subscription to a magazine, or to buy a book. You will find that you will rarely spend over $30, even for a magazine subscription that lasts 12 months from the point of subscription.

Since a gardening hobbyist can have tastes hard to gauge, a gift certificate is a gift that allows them to find something they want or need without requiring guess work. Gift certificates are less personalized, of course, but they also lead to a higher satisfaction in gifts. If you aren't sure what to get that special someone, a gift certificate never fails.

The garden of the one receiving your gift is more than a show of one's interest- it's also a relaxing place where one can sit in peace. You can bolster the peaceful environment by purchasing garden art, statues, and even small things such as wind chimes. Bringing life to the garden with visuals and sound can create an entirely new experience for the recipient.

The most obvious choice of presents for a gardener would be seeds, bulbs, and plants to be repotted. Any garden center near you would have a nice selection, but if you can find a neighbor or even if you have your own garden you can save money on the gift. A personalized gift is a nice touch, but you can get the same effect by getting the same thing from the store and presenting it in an arrangement. Costs are usually fairly affordable for the average plant.

Small gift baskets of related items such as organic produce, gardening tools, and such are also appreciated by gardeners. Gift baskets can also include other fun items, such as candy or small gifts, so that the gardener can appreciate more than just his or her hobby. Decorate the gift basket accordingly- perhaps a Winter theme for the holidays or a Spring theme for an Easter gift.

Closing Comments

Gardening gifts are easy to find, and cheap to buy. The local gardening store or home improvement store should have everything you need to get started in finding a gift for a friend or family member. Internet retailers also have gift baskets ready to be shipped. - 32376

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What Herb Garden Plants Are Right For You

By Tony Stevens

Plants generally are grouped as annuals, perennials and biennials as far as growth cycles are concerned. This difference is visible in herb species as well. Knowing about the growth cycles of the herbs you wish to grow will be very helpful to let you plan appropriate care for your herb garden plants. This is a brief overview of those types of herb garden plants.

Examples of annuals are basil, cilantro and summer savory. Annuals do not survive a frost. Their growth term is less than a year, and they must be replanted every year. Perennials will return on a yearly basis, surviving freezing temperatures. Good examples of these are sage and winter savory. The groups known as biennials are plants that have only foliage their first growing season, but in their second season have flowers and seeds, then die. Parsley, caraway, and angelica are examples of biennials, and they do best when the seeds are sown in late spring directly into the garden plot. Soil should be well tilled and broken into a fine texture. The seeds are fine and should be placed in trenches or rows that are not too deep. Cover lightly with soil and firm it down. One method of gaining control of spacing of the seeds is to combine them with sand. If you cover the seed bed with wet burlap or paper it is a great way to keep the soil moist enough for germination.

To categorize herbs, think of the uses to which they will be put. Most commonly thought of are the culinary herbs, that is, herbs used in cooking. Begin by using small quantities of herbs. Add more if you need to. Try these herbs, but start slowly, because they are quite strong. Herbs like chives and thyme, or basil, sage and savory should be added a little at a time Aromatic herbs are known for having good fragrance, either in their foliage or flowers. Some plants in this category are lovage, mint, and rosemary. Use aromatic herbs for perfumes, toilet water, and scents in other forms. Pick stems of aromatics and arrange them in bottles and vases throughout the house. For a fresh clean scent in your home arrange natural plants in bottles or vases.

Growing herbs for their visual properties is also a reason to grow herb garden plants. Chicory have light or brightly coloured flowers, valerian have whitish or light coloured flowers. Also lavender has a soft purple coloured flower. These are just an example of a few plants with great dec orative beauty.

Herbs do not have just single purposes. They can be placed in many categories by their use. Mint is a good example of that, as it is used in cooking, tea, and medicine. It will help with pest control as well. Study to learn about the different types of herbs and you will be able to decide which ones you want to grow. - 32376

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Different Kinds Of Canadian Flowers

By Adriana Noton

Canadian Flowers are found on the sides of country roads and in meadows as well. They are all very beautiful and are definite things to snap a picture of in its natural environment.

In Saskatchewan the West Red Lily can be located and was named the flower of this county around the 1940's. These beauties are found in meadows and smaller forest lands. They carry a vibrant red color to them and a flickering of gold within their centers.

Spread over the miles between Quebec and British Columbia you will spy dazzling Wild Roses. These are found in many lovely colors and are mostly seen in roadsides and forests naturally.

Did you know that instead of a country flower the Canadians use the brilliance of the Maple Leaf to signify their country and it adorns everything from flags, hats, shirts and even tags for cars.

On the quaint island of Prince Edwards Lady's Slippers are in no small supply as they flourish all over especially in the shades of trees and forests. These look like little slippers a elegant doll or lady would wear for a night out on the town in all thier fancy dress.

From the end of March through to May the lovely Pacific Dogwoods are in their full radiant blooming seasons. These are worth stopping to admire if you chance one while out on your daily journey.

In Nova Scotia you will see Mayflowers. These can also be found growing wildly among the North American Eastern Coastlines. The Mayflowers were named as spring's first blooming flower by settlers in early America.

White Trilliums decorate most of Ontario in their vibrant looks. The spring flowers are more at home in the forests than in open areas. They carry only 3 of the flowers as well as the leaves that is why they came up with calling them Trilliums.

Vivid Blue Flags grow predominantly in Quebec. Since the year of 1936 these flowers have been planted and now naturally grow throughout Quebec's provinces. They are really a sight to admire.

Purple Violet's of New Brunswick are similar to the ones in the states. They are very small and a deep rich purple or rich dark blue color. These love wet lands and forests for their growth.

The Fire weed is an extraordinary flowering plant as it grows where land as been ravaged by fire the best. It is a lot taller than most flowers and of course in fiery red and darker pink in color. These also love to grow on the sides of the motor ways and in meadows and fields throughout the Yukon Territory. It is nice to know that out of devastation beauty can flourish too.

A truly unique and interesting plant called the Pitcher Plant can be found growing in Labrador and Newfoundland. This flower can actually water itself. Water fills the top like a water pitcher would and then as water and some insects are trapped within the plants holding area they digest them for nutrients and food.

Beautiful and magical flowering varieties are around us wherever we may go. Getting to see them first hand as in these Canadian flowers is a true treat and well worth a planned vacation to spy them in their best months. The Earth is full of wonderful surprises around every corner. Whether it be a first blooming tree or a little birds nest just hatching chicks. - 32376

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