Lily Pack

Fertilizing to Create More Blossoms on Your Flowers, Flowering

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:13:33 -0400

You are welcome to use this article on your website or in yournewsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including thecontact information at the end. Website URLs must be activelinks. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliatelink, http:www.freeplants.comresellers.htm The secret to making your flowering trees, shrubs, annuals, andperennials bloom more is in the numbers. All fertilizers haveanalysis numbers on the package. These numbers represent thepercentage of each chemical the fertilizer contains. For example, -- is a typical garden fertilizer that wouldcontain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Thequick explanation is; nitrogen produces vegetative, or topgrowth, phosphorous produces flower buds, fruit, and rootdevelopment, while potassium builds strong healthy plants. Most lawn grasses are vigorous growers and therefore requiresignificantly more nitrogen than the other plants in your yard.A lawn fertilizer would have an ana...

Edible Flowers in Your Garden

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:11:23 -0400

Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most of us areaware that violets can be candied and nasturtiums can be eatenin salads, there's a bounty of flower varieties that are bothedible and delicious.Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth with Flowers Violets are notthe only flower that can be candied. Many spring flowers withsmall, delicate blossoms have a sweet, somewhat spicy flavorthat is enhanced by dipping them in sugar. It goes withoutsaying that any flowers that you gather for eating should havebeen grown without the use of pesticide ' by growing themyourself, you can be sure that they're untreated. A Candy FlowerGarden that blooms throughout the summer can include:Violets ' Purple, blue or white, violets are among the firstflowers to bloom in the spring. They spread easily, and growhappily when transplanted into a garden bed ' and you do want toconfine them to a bed unless you love the look of a full carpetof blooms spreading across your lawn.Pansies ' A relative...

Add Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:20 -0400

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around and canadd a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in acluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for arainbow of color.When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow theinstructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants thatwill thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them.A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and youwill only be disappointed with the results.When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of theflowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times neareach other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long.Remember also to plan for the height of the plants, putting thetaller ones in the back.Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you mightwant to consider for your garden:Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky blueflowers that grows to ". It blooms in late spring to earlysummer....

Flowers Wilting? Tips for making your flowers last longer

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:14:10 -0400

We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they don't lastvery long. While they are here they bring happiness and warmthto any dull decorating space. If your flowers are dieing awfullyfast, then you may be using poor flower care routines. There aremany little things that you can do to lengthen the life span ofyour flower arrangements and flower bouquets. Many florists andflower shops provide good information on how to care for yourspecific flower type. Read on for a few extra tidbits ofinformation on expanding the time that you can enjoy yourflowers.A main cause of deterioration in flowers vases is bacteria. Besure your bowl or vase is clean and your water is pure. Alwaysreplace your water after - days. If any of the leaves lowerdown the stem are submerged under water, cut them off to preventthe spread of bacteria. Also, floral food provided by yourflorist should kill harmful bugs and dirt.To prolong the beauty and life of your flowers, choose areputable flower ...

Are you Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:17:58 -0400

Did you know that you can send flowers many different ways onthe internet? With a few different options of delivering andordering flowers online, you must be aware of security andsafety of your personal information. Not only that, but youcould be left with disappointing flowers for your event if youchoose the wrong online florist. Many florists online havecreated websites that lead consumers to believe that they are"local florists." Although you believe they are located in yourarea, many of them work in call centers far away from you oryour flower recipient. With the following tips to sending yourflowers online, you can be sure your flowers will get to yourdestination from a reliable and real professional florist group. Sending flowers online can be a fast and convenient way foron-the-go families to give a quick gift to the ones they love.Same day or next day delivery can get your flowers there ontime. Another option is to place your flower order in ahead oftime. Remind...

The Many Advantages in Owning Silk Flowers

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:13:41 -0400

The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples andfamilies for many different reasons. Many event hosts orplanners struggle over whether to choose fresh flowers orartificial flowers. Silk flowers are non-allergenic, will neverwilt and can be maintained as keepsakes for years. There aremany more positive effects in ordering or owning silk flowers.. Cost Lots of people notice a considerable price range fromreal flowers to silk flowers. Artificial flowers can usually befound at any craft store and sometimes even your local dollarstore. Most flowers range from . to . a stem. Keep inmind that some silk flowers can get pricey, but they are usuallylarge, high-quality silk roses. There is a wide range in colorsand types of flowers in silk. Some people argue that fauxflowers have no scent, thereby losing some of the mood that theywant to create at a ceremony. Use of perfumes or artificialscents can help minimize this short fall in compare to cutflowers. Wi...

More Than Just Flowers - Fun Garden Accessories

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:14:44 -0400

Flowers and plants are rightly the central attraction of yourgarden ' but they needn't be the only one. Garden 'accessories'can add character and fun to your garden as well as servingvarious useful purposes. From sculpted row markers and borderfences to fully-functional fountains and ponds, here's what someof the best-dressed gardens are wearing this spring and summer.Borders One of the easiest ' and most affordable ' ways todefine your garden space is with border fencing by the foot oryard. There are many styles of borders available at your localgarden and home supply store, from white wire fences toelaborate plastic sculptured moldings designed to be pushed intothe ground on garden stakes.Row Markers and Signs My first garden ' courtesy of mygrandmother ' had row markers that were made by the simpleexpedient of pushing a popsicle stick into the ground andsliding the seed packet over the top. Not terribly elegant, orfor that matter, durable. Garden supply and novelty s...

Preserving Flowers From A Potpourri Garden

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:14:05 -0400

Fresh cut flowers all spring and summer are one of the bonusesof having a flower garden. Wouldn't you love to extend thatbonus throughout the year? By choosing the right flowers andlearning methods of drying and preserving flowers, you can fillyour house with the beauty and fragrance of potpourri all yearlong.Growing a Potpourri Garden Potpourri is a fragrant mix of driedflower petals, leaves, whole flowers and spices. It can be sewninto sachets, simmered in a potpourri burner, or displayed in anopen bowl. By choosing herbs and flowers that dry well andmaintain their fragrance when dried, you'll be well on your wayto scenting your home with the natural fragrance of lastsummer's garden.Your potpourri mix should include both flowers and herbs fromyour garden, and be chosen with an eye toward color and a nosefor scent. A potpourri garden might include several or all! ofthe following:Fragrant Herbs and Flowers for a Potpourri Garden Lilac ' thisflower is both beautiful ...

Everyone Loves Flowers

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:14:49 -0400

Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul. Flowers are a heartfelt, naturalway to lift our spirits. They can provide a smile for a tiredface or even brighten a room for a convalescent. Just imagineyour favourite flower. Are you smiling yet? You are definitelyin a better mood.There isn't a doubt that beautiful surroundings provide us witha favorite environment that helps us thrive. Flowers are ansimple and affordable way to add a splash of color and emotioninto your life. Tropical flowers are an exciting new change fromtraditional floral gifts like roses , and with modern shippingmethods they are availble worldwide. Their large size andvibrant colors make them an impressive gift for favoriteoccasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthdays andanniversaries.Flowers can be purchased from local florists or "Grower Direct"services that ship them worldwide. If purchasing flowers to beshipped, make sure someone is waiting to accept the order andthat they are not left with the mail ...

How to Care for Cut Flowers

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:15:41 -0400

Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:18:02 -0500

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around andcan add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in acluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for arainbow of color.When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow theinstructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants thatwill thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them.A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and youwill only be disappointed with the results.When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of theflowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times neareach other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long.Remember also to plan for the height of the plants, putting thetaller ones in the back.Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you mightwant to consider for your garden:Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky blueflowers that grows to ". It blooms in late spring to earlysummer...

Planting Blue Flowers In Your Garden

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:17:32 -0500

Blue garden flowers can add a splash of unique color to youryard. You can buy blue and blue purple perennials and annuals toenhance your garden design. Plant them in a section for all blueflowers or mix them in with your other colors for a more variedlook.When planting flowers, be sure to follow the instructions forplanting locations and maintenance. Buying plants that thrive inthe conditions in which you intend to grow them will give you amuch fuller and easier to care for garden. A plant that needsfull sun will not grow to your expectations if it is planted inthe shade.Make sure you water and fertilize you're your blue gardenflowers according to the instructions and you will be rewardedwith big luscious blooms. Pinching off the dead flowers willhelp the plant to grow fuller and produce more flowers.Other things to consider when planting blue garden flowersinclude:' Bloom Time ' what timeframe the plant will flower in 'planting flowers in the same areas that have di...

Caring For Tropicals And Exotic Flowers

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:22:42 -0500

Tropical flowers make an exciting change from the moretraditional floral gifts such as roses and gerberas, assumingthat they're available in your area. Their stark and colorfulbeauty makes them an impressive gift for special occasions likeMother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthdays and anniversaries. If you're lucky enough to grow tropical flowers such asheliconias or gingers in your garden, here are some tips to helpthem thrive and extend their shelf life as cut flowers.. Water your plants well and give them a big drink beforecutting. This is important for foliage plants as well becausesome varieties 'drink' very little after cutting. Instead, theylive off their own sap.Tropical plants have adapted to their natural environment whichtypically involves frequent but short periods of heavy rain. Look at the flower heads and notice how the petals are 'cupped'to catch and store as much water as possible. These plants drinkfrom the top and like being wet. Look at the pattern o...

The Language and Meaning of Flowers

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:16:52 -0500

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing ThomasHood poem, The Language of FlowersFlowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own.Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, 'Be mine.' But didyou know, for example, that a primrose means, 'I can't livewithout you,' or that a purple hyacinth means, 'Please forgiveme,' or that a pink carnation means, 'I'll never forget you,' orthat a gladiolus means, 'Give me a break?'Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings andmessages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coinedfor the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning tocolors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups offlowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost tous through lack of use.In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, thelanguage of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn orpresented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positivemeaning, but if they are pres...

Improving Your Health & Quality of Life with Flowers

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:17:18 -0500

Most people can appreciate flowers for their extreme beauty andwonderful scents. We have such a strong connection with them,responding very positively to their ability to bring joy, aswell as their use at gatherings such as weddings, funerals andlike celebrations. Flowers also posses an even deeper ability to help heal ourbodies when we are not at our best, and prevent illnesses fromreturning. Many flowers posses an essence, or life's energy,within their petals that can greatly enhance different aspectsof our lives. While the list is great, I'd like to talk aboutsome commonly available ones that are simple to introduce intodaily life, returning extreme benefits with minimal effort.Lavender flowers are recognized by many for their relaxingproperties. What many people aren't aware of is that they'realso very handy for cooking! While the essential oil is unsafeto digest, the fresh flowers can provide significant flavor tosugar by placing a spring into a jar and allowing it...

Flower Meanings & History of Flowers

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:16:29 -0500

Flower Meanings & History The charming and delicate beauty offlowers has fascinated people of all nations and backgrounds forcenturies. Flowers have been bred and cultivated for theirdecorative beauty as well as their ability to heal diseases.Flowers are the subject of poems and myths, and religioussymbols are associated with flowers as well. Many girls arenamed after flowers. The main reason for the popularity offlowers though is their ability to bring good cheer. For all fellow lovers and admirers of flowers here is somebackground information about flowers. This will help give yourflower gift giving and buying a greater context. Asters There are over species of asters, the most popularbeing the Monte Casino. Ancient societies believed that the odorof its leaves, when burnt, drove away serpents. While this mightnot be as applicable today, perhaps its connotation is stillrelevant: Giving asters means, "I am not sure whether you havebeen faithful to me". Be careful w...

Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:18:27 -0500

Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wildflower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to takeadvantage of Mother Nature's treasured gifts. Wild flowers arecarefree, colorful, and tend to attract bees, butterflys andbirds. So planting wild flowers not only gives you an easymaintenance flower garden... it also promises to be a constantsource of interesting activity throughout the year.The following wild flowers are blue to purple in color, and somesay this is a favorite color of bees.VIRGINIA or COMMON DAY-FLOWER Commelina Virginica - Spiderwortfamily The Day Flower has blue, one inch wide or smaller flowerswhich tend to be irregular. The flowers are grouped at the endof the stem, and are upheld by long leaf-like bracts. The leavesare lance-shaped and - inches long. The upper leaves form likea hood of sorts about the flower. These wild flowers prefermoist, shady ground and flower from June through September.The day flower tends to open...

Flowers of Red Violet in Dramatic Display

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:19:00 -0500

p>Flowers of Red Violet in Dramatic DisplayAlthough many flowers are red-violet, several types of JapaneseIris exhibit the color in a most spectacular fashion. Japanese Iris I.ensata are the last of the Iris to bloom andusually bloom about a month after Bearded and Siberian Iris havefinished. Japanese Iris are a beardless iris that bear thelargest flowers of all. Spikes that reach up to three feet tallcarry blooms in unique shapes, colors including the mostbrilliant red-violets, and striking patterns that measure asmuch as one foot in diameter. Broad foliage with a raisedmid-rib makes a vertically interesting backdrop for other plantswhen the Japanese Iris has finished blooming.The Japanese Iris is native to much of eastern Asia and has beencultivated in Japan for over years. Single bloomingvarieties have three standards and three falls, doubles have sixfalls and peony-type blossoms are downward sloping with nine ormore falls. Cultivars with red-violet flowers...

Extend the Life Of Your Flowers By Steaming Them

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:13:51 -0500

This method of extending cut flower life may sound a bitdrastic but it is quite effective. . Have two clean buckets ready. Rinse them out with some bleachsolution first. . Boil some water in a kettle and fill bucket No. with inches of the boiled water. . Fill bucket No. with inches of cool water. . Cut a half inch or so from the stems of your flowers orfoliage and put them in the hot water for seconds, no longer. . Take them out and put them in the cool water. . You should add teaspoons of household bleach and a pinch ofcitric acid to each bucket to inhibit any further bacterialgrowth. The steaming induces a rush of natural sugars to the flowerheads and gets the stems "drinking". Steaming is beneficial toflowers that may have been out of water for a length of time.Enjoy your flowers!About the author:Gerry Belvedere is a former artist who now runs her own onlineflorist service at http:www.rosaflora-flowers.com. Rosafloradelivers flowers Australia ...

How To Check If Cut Flowers Are Fresh

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:21:22 -0500

Fresh flowers should feel crisp or firm. Before you buy, runyour hand under the flower heads from stem to petal tip. Proceedgently under the petals so as not to bruise them.If the flower vendor objects, give them a withering look andenquire in a loud voice, "Are these flowers fresh?" If the flowers feel soft, cool or damp, don't buy them. Keep testing the other bunches until you find a good one. Oftenthere are only one or two bunches older than the others. Lookand listen. Really fresh flowers will make a soft rustling soundas you stroke them. As flowers age:- the foliage will start to yellow from the bottom upwards- the stems will discolor from the bottom up as bacteria spreadsfrom the cut - seeds or pollen on the flower head will open and shed spores- the petals will fade in colour, lose moisture, dehydrate andeventually collapseRemember: Change the water daily, recut the stems often and enjoy yourflowers longer.About the author:Gerry Belvedere is a former artist...

Tips On Caring For Your Valentine's Day Flowers

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:16:03 -0500

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought thiswould be a great time to share a few tips on caring for cutflowers.Imagine it's Valentine's Day and you've just received a gloriousbunch of roses. You put them in your best vase and you standback to admire them. You'd love to make them last as long as youpossibly can, but other than keeping them out of directsunlight, you're not sure what to do.Here are some tips on how to extend the shelf life of yourroses: . Remove the roses from the vase and put them in a temporarycontainer.. Clean the vase by washing it thoroughly in water withhousehold bleach.. Fill the vase with fresh water and add a half teaspoon ofhousehold bleach for each litre fluid ounces of water.. Remove your roses from their temporary container and lay themflat on a counter top. . Remove any leaves which will show below the waterline in thevase.. Cut about mm inch from the base of each stemimmediately before placing it in ...

Flowers Say "I Love You"

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:18:15 -0500

Some people dismiss flowers as old-fashioned, but the truth isthat, in general, women adore them, and men are secretly pleasedand flattered when someone presents them with a stylisharrangement or a flower gift basket. If you see yourself as aromantic person, find excuses to give flowers as often aspossible. Flowers are such a vibrant expression of Nature's beauty thatit's rare to find a single human being who doesn't respond tothem. Not only do they come in every color of the rainbow, fromthe most vibrant purples to the subtlest of pastels, but theirshapes vary dramatically, from the sculptured beauty of a roseto the cartoon-like forms of the bird of paradise and thesunflower. And as well as stimulating our visual senses, theirscents are the source of every perfume in existence.You can give flowers for any occasion. A dozen long-stemmed redroses will always say 'I love you' no matter how much we mightconsider them a clich. Daisies and gerberas, especially thosein ele...

The Magic of Flowers

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:16:42 -0500

b>Flowers are natural gifts that beautify ourenvironment. Whether used in an arrangement to grace the kitchentable or placed in a vase by the bedside, flowers provide asense of invitation and welcome to guests and offer the sweetfragrances of springtime in the process. The gift of flowers canbrighten anyone's day and bring an abundance of happiness tothose who receive them.Flowers are MagicThe gift of a single flower is often a reflection of a romanticintention or some other form of feelings that are beingexpressed to another. Such an offering can bring magic to themoment, if received by a special someone. More than simplyoffering a pleasant experience to the senses, flowers can bringan acute sense of pleasure to the heart of the recipient.According to previous studies, a floral aroma can have an impacton human emotions, in contrast to unpleasant odors, which cancause irritability and a sense of discontent. The very color ofa flower may have a profound effect on an ind...

"Free Plants, Seeds and Flowers"

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:17:26 -0500

"Free Plants, Seeds and Flowers"Home gardeners give away free plants and flowers almost everyday on the new GardenHere Internet site. Home gardeners save's, --even 's on their landscape and home gardening projects. It'seasy, fun, and a great way to make new friends. Visitors to GardenHere forums find listings of free plants, flowers, and seeds or place anotice telling other members what they are looking for.'Giving away extra plants is a tradition for many homegardeners,' says webpage owner Al Stubblefield. 'Just this year,I sent Fuchsia starts to a home gardener in Arizona and Wisteria , Ivy, and Daylilies to GardenHere members in Wisconsin, North Dakota,Montana, and Oregon 'all free. It took only a short trip to thepost office for me and the cost...

Eating Edible Flowers

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:49:12 -0500

After a family member's recent stay in the hospital, you findyourself with a whole houseful of flowers. You've heard of usingflowers to decorate dishes or for use in recipes. However,before you go plucking the petals off the flowers in thosearrangements, there are a few things that you need to know.Flowers that are said to be edible are only edible if they areeither grown organically or treated with organic pesticides likethose used on fruits or vegetables. Flowers that are fromflorists, nurseries or garden centers are grown for decorationonly. They're usually chemically treated either by fertilizersor pesticides. They aren't safe to be eaten unless you know forcertain that they've been maintained organically. Do not eatflowers growing on the side of the road! The chemicals used tomaintain roadside conditions are deadly and the emissions fromcars contaminate the flowers growing there. Your safest methodis to grow the flowers yourself, so that you know with acomplete cer...