Summer flowers seem to cheer everyone up, but what kind will do the best in the hot months? What do you plant if you have lots of shade? When your yard is mostly shade, it becomes a challenge to find attractive plants. I have found that Hostas are the answer. They come in many varieties and sizes. In fact, there is now a mini variety. Bridgewood Gardens has a site on the internet that you can look at the many varieties of hostas including the mini hostas.
Q. What is the number one potted plant sold in the United States?
A. Poinsettia
Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett. He was the first United States Minister to Mexico. He discovered the beautiful red-flowering shrub in the Mexican countryside and brought back cuttings to his own greenhouse in South Carolina.
Spring has sprung at the Buckner Branch. Yesterday, the Village Crafters created some lovely duct tape roses. These flowers won't be found in anybody's garden...there aren't too many teal tulips or dragon-patterned snapdragons in your grandma's flowerbed.
One of the most well-known of all the herbs is lavender. It’s one of the most useful herbs, too. From cooking to crafts, lavender can be used in many ways. One of the most common uses of lavender is for sachets. Its signature aroma has freshened linen closets for generations. The stems of lavender are also woven into lavender wands and baskets.
One of the most popular and enduring of all garden flowers is the rose. It also happens to be my favorite flower. The romance of this ancient flower appeals to my dreamy nature. I have to say though, of all the different types of roses, I love the antique varieties the most. Antique or heritage roses are considered to be the varieties in existence before 1867, which is the date the first official hybridized rose was introduced. Their fragrance is amazing, and the flowers are so full of petals that I often wonder how they can hold them all.
The month of February makes one think of sending flowers to those we love. Flowers come in varied shapes, colors, and fragrances and cause us to wonder at their beauty. We like and choose flowers because of their beauty, but at one time people sent specific flowers for certain meanings. For example, baby’s breath meant everlasting love, while yellow roses meant fading love, and of course, red roses meant love.
