Flowers Garden Plants

Japanese maple is a species in maple that can be found in countries like Japan, Korea and China. It is just a small tree ranging from 5-12 meters and commonly grows as an understory plant. Its leaves are opposite that range from 5-12 long and wide, palmately lobed with five or seven acutely pointed lobes. Its flowers are produced in small cymes and its fruit is a pair of winged samaras with each samara's length ranging from 2-3 cm with a 6-8 mm seed.

Japanese maple has been cultivated in Japan and other areas with thousands of cultivars selected for differences in size, for leaf shape and size, leaf color, bark color and texture, and growing pattern. Like other maple species, this plant can adapt to different conditions, but it is mostly suited in deep and fertile soils. As an understory tree, it can tolerate fairly dense sunlight although there is a disadvantage for that. There are cases wherein Japanese maple seedlings become a nuisance and the tree becomes invasive in woodlands. This plant is also commonly used in bonsai. So if you are looking for a bonsai, then Japanese maple can be the one that you are looking for.

Genus Heliconia is composed of about 100 to 200 species of flowering plants that are common to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands west to Indonesia. This is the only genus belonging to the Family Heliconiaceae. Heliconia is also known as lobster-claw, wild plantain and false bird-of-paradise. Its leaves are ranges from 15-300 am long, oblong and growing opposite one another on non-woody petioles. Often, they are longer than the leaf and they form large clumps with age. Heliconia flowers are long, erect or drooping panicles. They are consist of brightly colored waxy bracts with small true flowers peeping out from the bracts. The growth habit of heliconias is comparable to that of Canna, Strelitzia (Bird-of-paradise), and bananas, to which they are related.

Aside from the beauty they exude, Heliconias have other roles in the environment. They are considered as an important source of food for forest hummingbirds. It is also being used by the hermits for nesting. There are species of Heliconia that were selected as cultivars for garden planting. They are Heleconia psittacorum L.f. which was crossed to Heleconia spathocircinata Aristeg. Both of these species came from South America majority from Brazil.

What is so special with Hibicus flowers? This is a question playing in my mind when I found out that some varieties of this genus are actually national flowers of other countries. For instance, Hibiscus syriacus, commonly known as Mugunghwa or "Rose of Sharon" is the national flower of South Korea. Did you know that Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, (Bunga Raya or "Chinese hibiscus") is Malaysia's national flower? Also, another Hibiscus flower, ma‘o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the state flower of Hawai‘i. There must be something in this plant that these nations view as special.

Hibiscus is a large genus having 200-220 number of species of flowering plants. This genus belongs to family Malvaceae which is common to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. This group also includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants and woody shrubs and small trees. Its leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. Its fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule which contains several seeds in each lobe. These seeds are released when the capsule splits open during maturity. Its flowers are eye-catching because they are large, conspicuous, and trumpet-shaped. It has five petals with its color ranging from white to pink, red, purple or yellow.

Have you heard of a tree known as "Pride of Burma?" Yes, this is commonly known as Amherstia (Amherstia nobilis). This is a tropical tree belonging to the family Fabaceae, that bears exceptionally beautiful flowers is widely cultivated in the humid tropics. Ever wondered why it is called such name? This tree is native to Burma, known today as Myanmar, the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. Its scientific name commemorates Lady Amherst.

This tropical tree's extravagant flowers are hanging from long inflorescence known as flower stalk that are bright crimson red at the end. Its flowers are made up of 5 petals, 2 are minute while the others have unequal sizes. Petals are also crimson; two medium-sized petals are yellow at the tip and the largest petal is broad and fan-shaped with a wavy upper margin and a yellow triangle of color extending from the lip down into the flower. The said large petal can measure 7.5 centimeters long and over 4 centimeters wide at the end. There are either 9 or 10 stamens, 9 of these are partially fused into a pink sheath; the stamens are of two differing lengths with the longer ones having larger anthers. Amherstia has compound leaves with 6 - 8 large leaflets. They are broadly oblong in shape and are a whitish underneath. Its seedpods or fruits measures from 11 to 20 centimeters long, with a scimitar-shaped. The woody outer case opens to disperse the seeds.

When I was young, I used to ask my Mom this question, "What is that plant with red clusters of flowers?" Then she would immediately answer "that's Ixora." According to her, this plant is a typical ornamental in the tropical areas. It is too tender to survive outside of the tropics and subtropics. This plant also comes in an array of colors and species. There are yellow, pink, orange and others. She even mentioned that Ixora grows more of an ornamental however its flowers have medicinal value.

Ixora is a fairly small, bushy shrub, and usually grows from 5-10 feet. There are also dwarf varieties of Ixora that are much smaller. Flowers can develop even if the plant is only a few inches high. Usually, it is used as a hedge or small garden plant. This ornamental plant also prefers a warm, humid climate with temperatures rarely dipping below 60F. These plants even grow in shade or full sun. It can be propagated through its seeds and by cuttings.

Until now, our garden has hedges of Ixora but now, we have different colors already. We have pink, yellow and orange Ixoras. Definitely, the beauty and innocence of these flowers add up to the pleasing ambience of my Mother's garden.

Do you like yellow color to dominate your garden? If the answer is yes, then I will recommend you to grow Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana). This wattle, which belongs to family Fabaceae, is a native to New South Wales, in Australia. This is an evergreen tree which can reach up to the 30 feet or 10 meters. This tree was one of the 1000 Acacia species that can be found in Australia. In Victoria, Wattle is considered as a weed because outcompeting the local Victorian species. This plant has flowers that are usually scented and golden-yellow. Its foliage varies in shapes and sizes and its small flowers are arranged in spherical to cylindrical inflorescences with only the stamens prominent. Accordingly, these plants have been extensively planted in New Zealand territory. Many citizens of this country regarded this species as one of the common plants found in their home landscape.

Like red, yellow is a warm color that denotes opposite meanings. One can see it that implies happiness and joy, however there are also people who believe that this color signifies cowardice and deceit. However, we should always view life in a positive way. So forget about the negative meaning of yellow and start planting Cootamundra Wattle to make your environment cheerful and joyful.

Are you surprised with the title? If you are, then you are not really that familiar with fig trees, right? Well, anyway, it does not matter, because I am telling you that fig trees in your landscaped house yard do have flowers, not only fruits.

But the thing with these plants are, the flower is not that apparent as with the other trees. The flower of a fig tree is, in fact, located inside the fig itself. So, the next question is, does it have the same parts like that of other normal flowers? Yes, it does, indeed. The brilliant news (well, not really news news) is that the flower also has stamen and pistil, and is very much capable of producing seeds. If one time you cannot resist on picking the fig and eating it, you may chance upon something that makes your teeth grit and grind -- that, folks, may just be the seeds that we are talking about. Thus, it is safe to say that you are also eating the flower, or specifically, the torus, where small flowers develop. The torus eventually grows sweet and becomes the fig.

The inconspicuous place of fig flowers just goes to show once again that nature has its wonders. Did you know that fig trees actually live the longest among the fruit trees? Yes, it can exist up to about two thousand years! They only generate about a couple of fig crops in one year, though.

Have you heard of the term "ant plants?" When I first heard this, I couldn't believe that there are plants like this. According to a thesis that I have read in the library, these ant plants are those plants that maintain mutualistic relationships with ants. This kind of relationship between the two is actually a proof of the interdependence between plants and animals in the ecosystem. According to the thesis that I have read, the ants get food and shelter from the plants. There are plants that provide domatia where the ants can live and form a colony. On the other hand, plants are benefited through the protection that these ants provide for them. With an army of ants deployed in most parts of the plants, they are protected against human beings and other animals.

An example of an antplant is Hydnophytum formicarium. These ant plants are native to the Southeast Asia and belong to the family Rubiaceae. It a relative of coffee and gardenias. These plants have a smooth skinned swollen base that is riddled with caverns and tunnels that the ants use for their home. These plants take advantage of the ant's waste products while the ants are thought to help protect the plants from predators. These kind of plants like high humidity, good drainage and bright light.

Are you familiar with Coleus plant? Well, I like growing Coleus plant in the garden. This plant is durable and very easy to grow. These annuals are known for their bright colors, and variety of foliage forms. They can thrive in bright areas, or in areas with indirect light or in partial shade. Most Coleus plants can tolerate overexposure to sun. However, it is still better if they are planted in the shade. Also, even though this plant belongs to Nettle family, Coleus do not have a stinging property just like other members of the family.

When I am bored, I usually go to the garden and look at the different plants planted there. Coleus plant is the first one that can catch my attention. During weekends, I can let go of my new Nokia phone because I am too busy planting and removing dried leaves from my Coleus plants. As you know, there is a particular part of my garden that I devoted for my Coleus. Near this area is a table where I sit and do my other work. My stress is easily relieved every time I look at them. Isn't it refreshing to see such lovely annuals after a busy day? Definitely, yes!

I remember when I was a kid, I would directly go home after school to help my Mom in her garden. She grew a lot of plants there and her favorite was the annuals. She planted different annual plants with various colors. There are pink, yellow, white and combinations. That is why when these plants bloomed, her garden looked like a paradise. Among the annuals that she planted, these attractive daisy-like flowers that cover the succulent leaves is my favorite. It provides colorful display in a sunny environment. One advantage of planting this annual is that they thrive even in poor soil so you do not have to use fertilizers.

During weekend, I usually wake up around eight in the morning. It's a habit for me to look at the garden first before I went down. Seeing those lovely and colorful flowers definitely brightens up my day. After doing my morning rituals, I will immediately go to the garden and assist my Mom there. Then, we will have the lunch in a table near the garden. I love remembering those annuals because everytime I see them, I also remember my mother and our bonding moments. Sometimes, I wish I am a kid forever.

For every lawn and garden aficionado, a hedge trimmer is a must-have. This tool is great for trimming hedges as their name would imply, they operate by creating nice clean cuts that do not shred the plant your are trimming. Due to its purpose of cutting, hedge trimmers can be quite dangerous. Take some precautionary measures to ensure that your hedge trimming will be safe and productive at the same time.

Choose a hedge trimmer that is lightweight enough for you to hold it for expended periods of time. You don't want to drop it in your foot in case your hands get tired. Ensure that your fingers, or anyone else's that will be operating this piece of machinery, cannot fit between the cutting teeth and the guards. Regularly sharpen the blades to ensure cleaner cuts, and wear adequate protection for your eyes and ears when using this tool. When trimming the hedges, never trim above your head. Operating the trimmer way above your head can likely lead to accidents. If needed, use a ladder and climb to the height you need to be in order to operate your machinery properly. For further safety measures, it helps to always refer to the manual for the specifications of the trimmer you bought.

It has been scientifically proven that gardening can relieve our stress. Taking care of your plants lets you discover new hidden facets of your personality and teaches you how to love and care for others. Take, for instance, a plant that is not properly taken care of. Wouldn't you be devastated that something you have invested time and effort in suddenly died? Gardening is like assuming a new responsibility in practically any task. By adopting a breathing creature and knowing how much water and light it needs and the intervals it requires to receive water again, we are unconsciously being trained to shift these cares and abilities in our individual social relations. We also get to appreciate our surroundings more.

Studies show that the presence of plants reduces mental exhaustion as the oxygen released by the plants creates a feeling of mental agility. Taking a few minutes to look at a plant in the midst of doing our tough work makes us feel more relaxed. Plants also have been shown to attract and fascinate people. More importantly, plants provide a welcome relief from the monotony and boredom generated by routinary tasks or forced focus. Big plants can serve as cover against annoying views, especially in the suburbs. They also reduce noises, just like the way hanging paintings in an empty room minimize echo effects.

Pests are a major nuisance in many gardens as they destroy your flower bed or a good crop of vegetables. In getting rid of those annoying and destructive pests, most garden owners avoid the use of harsh chemicals that have bad effects not only on the plants (especially in vegetable gardens) but also to humans and house pets. You can opt to observe gentler pest control methods.

Picking grubs off by hand, creating barriers and traps, and plugging holes can be time consuming for most people but are the most natural method. Other garden owners get rid of pests by inviting insects in that eat them. Predatory insects such as dragonflies and green lacewings eat aphids and other pests that attack your plants. A shallow bowl of water in the garden will attract dragonflies. You can also mix up solutions that can serve as pest control that are very safe. You can mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 cup vegetable oil, dilute a teaspoon of this solution in a cup of water and spray on aphids and mites. But if you must use chemical pest controls you must use the least-toxic, like horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and dehydrating dusts.

The no-dig gardening was originally developed both as a labor saving idea, and as a means to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden. It involves starting with layers of newspaper, and by adding lucerne hay, straw, and compost in succeeding layers, you can make a growing medium without resorting to heavy digging, and one that is rich in nutrients and which will simplify weeding and encourage your much desired plants to grow. You must add manure, compost, etc. for maintenance, and the garden should not be dug up as this will undo the good work.

No-dig gardening method has done many good things for my vegetable gardens. I don't have to spend as much cultivation to the soil, because excessive cultivation of the soil, especially when very wet or very dry. This will damage the structure of the soil and lead to compaction. Also, excessive cultivation can discourage the earthworms, and they are the best free labor a gardener has. Personally I suggest doing an initial cultivation of the soil before you apply the no-dig system. It will guarantee a better environment for the worms, and thus a better garden for growing your plants, over the longer term.

Before dreaming for flock of birds to visit your garden, remember that birds will be attracted by the geographic location of your garden. Refer specialty magazines, documentations or even the smart weather man for information on the roads that some bird species take to get to their summer or winter residence. Photograph birds you see around your area and research about these birds to find out if they are going to make a stop in the area that you live in.

A bath or a pool in your garden, no matter the size or the material, would instantly attract many bird families, even wild ducks and gooses to the vicinity. Set up a place where they could find some food, bird seeds, bread, or anything else they might like, that would increase the chances they might appear somewhere in your garden. Research about the kind of seeds that the birds in your area eat. Almost all the birds eat sun-flower seeds, so this is your safe option. Keep away things in your garden that might scare birds away, like dogs and other animals or noises from children. Also remember that some birds don't agree with the others. Some birds may be avoiding your garden because there's a rival species present.

Aside from gardening stuff, your garden shed can serve a lot of purpose. It can be a workshop for building small furniture pieces, or a craft room for creating all of those wonderful things that are fun to make, but make too big a mess in the house. If you already have a garden shed, with creativity and hard work you can turn it into a small workshop or craft room. Just clean it out, scrub it down, put in any tables or shelves if you want and maybe a few chairs and you are ready to start using your new room.

Features of garden sheds are very simple and basic, having a door and few windows for light and little else. You can design the walls and floor as you desired. The key to getting the right garden shed is to figure out what you will be using it for, may it be a place where you can paint, draw, make small furnitures or even jewelries. These will help you figure just what you want and need as far as size and design of your garden shed. But check first with your local government offices to make sure your garden shed will be in compliance with the building and zoning laws of your community.

Just because your garden is small and simple it does not mean you can't accentuate what you do have with garden bridges. In fact, garden bridges could be just what you need to turn those plain garden areas into something quite extravagant. They can add a touch of country or formal design to a garden. Small garden bridges are easy to find, and many are available in garden centers or home improvement centers. You can also search the web for the best sites that have many ideas for small garden bridges.

A good skill with a hammer and nails can see you through making your own garden bridge. You can go to building stores or search the internet for available plans and you will have many choices that come with photos of many different bridge styles. A garden bridge can be a big benefit for your garden space, and a small garden bridge will look beautiful in a smaller garden and draw attention to a specific area. Look for an available space in your garden to determine the size of a bridge that would fit. Find many possible spots then choose your favorite among them. Some simple and small gardens become lovely and elegant because garden bridges have been added in just the right places.

It may sound very scientific and complicated at first, but on the contrary, hydroponic gardening is very simple and maybe even easier than regular gardening. They both have many elements in common that being the need for light, humidity, water, and nutrients, however, hydroponic gardening don't use soil. Instead, a soil substitute is used to hold the roots and the nutrients are carried by the water.

You can do this type of gardening indoors and plants do respond well and thrive with this type of system. One important consideration though is the nutrient solution, which must maintain a pH level of 5 to 6 after it is diluted. Watering must be done thrice a day and is typically done automatically using a pump and timer. Hydroponic plants still need to get enough light just like regular plants. Artificial light such as high pressure sodium bulbs can be a good substitute for sunlight. Many people like growing their plants using hydroponics for it can be totally automated and requires much less work than a traditional garden as there is no weeding or digging in dirt. Hydroponic gardening is found to be more economical as water can be used over and over.

Healthy plants depend on the good quality of the soil and nutrient organic matter that makes the soil more fertile and workable. Organic matter may come from decayed remains of once living material, plant residues and animal manures, known as humus, or finely ground rock particles rich in minerals. Organic materials provide food for soil micro organisms, which convert essential nutrients bound up in organic matter into water soluble forms that plant roots can readily take up and use for healthy growth.

Composts improve soil structure as in a sandy soil, the water and nutrient-holding capacities can be increased by adding organic matter. Heavy clay soil becomes more workable with the use of compost. Good compost which can be made from leaves, vegetable peelings, garden wastes or grass clippings can supply plant nutrients. Although healthy soild naturally have plant nutrients, some soils may be low or lacking in one nutrient or more. Good disease-free organic matter will give the right amounts of nutrients available for most ornamental plants. Organic fertilizers are much better since nutrients in synthetic fertilizers are so concentrated that over time they create chemical imbalances in the soil that reduce the all-important microbial and earthworm activity.

Gardening is literally a hands-on past time. Your hands are the most frequently used tool in digging, dividing, weeding, and spreading mulch. Sometimes you work better with your bare hands than with those gardening tools. But despite that, you need to take care of your precious hands by always wearing protective gloves. You have a lot of glove types to choose from. There are the cotton gloves which are cheap and abundant, but wear quickly, weigh a ton when wet, and won't protect you against thorns and prickers.

There are gloves that are made of spandex/lycra composites. They fit very well as they have one-size-fits-all and come in style and colors. It has no absorption, wicks moisture away, and the hard wearing nylon on palms and fingers makes it very durable. If you are worried about wetness, rubber coated gloves shed water like the proverbial duck’s back. To keep your hands dry while mixing chemicals, you can use nitrile disposable gloves. Gauntlets that extend up to your elbows will protect you even the the sharpest and very pointed thorns. There is also a new spray-on gloves which have a silicon spray that seals those hands from the grime (and oils from things like poison ivy) as gloves for those that don't like gloves.

Dividing perennials and digging up some of your favorite plants and cutting them into smaller pieces are some of the toughest jobs which you must do. Plants are rejuvenated through division. Some perennials die back or get old and woody in the middle and have fewer flowers after growing for several years. When you see a donut, a dead spot in the middle and active growth around the outside, it means that the plant needs to be divided. It is a good way to control the size of perennial clumps that get too big or outgrow their spots. It is also a way of multiplying your plants as one perennial clump can be separated into four or five new plants, allowing for bigger groupings and more garden design punch.

You can do this in early spring or early fall as the general rule is to divide plants that bloom in mid- to late summer in spring, and early-season bloomers in fall. Some early-spring bloomers are best divided right after they flower so they will establish again strong enough to flower again the following spring, like creeping phlox, Jacob's ladder, pulmonaria, primrose and rock cress. But many gardeners do it in spring to gain an entire season of growth and have stronger plants before winter comes.

Mulching you garden makes other garden chores easier. Beds look more neat with ayer mulch over the bare spots between plants in your planting beds. It keeps weeds down, mainly by blocking out light they need to germinate - and if a weed manages to poke through, it's easier to pull it out when rooted in a layer of mulch than in the soil. The soil is kept cooler in summer and the risk of damage to plant roots is reduced in winter. It also keeps soil from splashing onto leaves, which keeps plants looking neater and helps prevent soil-borne fungal diseases. Decomposing organic materials add important organic matter to the soil and keeps the top layer of soil loose and airy.

You just need to layer the stuff two inches to four inches deep over bare soil around your plants. Keep it away from bark of trees and shrubs, as excess moisture right up against the bark can cause disease and rot. Do it in spring before hot weather comes and while annual and perennial plants are still small enough to work around easily. If you have a few spare one or two gallon nursery containers, put them on top of your plants and then you can shovel the material right onto the bed without worrying about covering your perennials.

When we are given bouquets on special occasions, especially women who accepts suitors, we usually place them in a vase and display it by our living room, then we forget about them until they die. There are ways which can prolong the life of your bouquets and you can preserve their beauty for a longer time. You need to keep the container or liner filled with fresh water. Put commercial fresh flower food on the water, which contains the correct ingredients to properly nourish the flowers, keep bacteria at bay (which can block the stems and prevent them from absorbing water), encourage buds to open, and lengthen the life of the bouquet. You can buy them in local flower shops or at your florist.

You should re-cut the stems every few days approximately 3/4" to one inch from the bottom of the stem. Keep an eye on damaged blooms or foliage that falls below the waterline in the vase and be sure to remove them. Place your flower in a cool area away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators, which give off heat and can cause flowers to dehydrate.