African Moon

The African Moon plant is often grown in parks and gardens as an ornamental since the bright white daisy flowers form a dazzling mass during the spring.

Dimorphotheca pluvialis, the African Moon are the white daisy flowers, native of Namibia. African Moon flowers are also commonly called as Oxeye daisy, Rain Daisy, Cape Daisy, Witbotterblom. African Moon is cultivated as field crop for oil seed production particularly in Northern Europe.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Dimorphotheca

Species

pluvialis

African Moon flowers are about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The species Dimorphotheca pluvialis is characterized by hermaphrodite disc florets and female-fertile (male-sterile) ray florets. Both types of florets produce distinctly different types of seeds (achenes). Seeds produced by ray florets are small, angular, while those of the disc florets are flattened and have winged margins. The ray florets have one large white petal, which is often colored purple at the base, giving the appearance of a ring in the inflorescence.

Facts About African Moon

• African Moon is a tender annual that grows to 8-12 inches.
• Blooms of African Moon are seen in Orange, white, yellow colors.
• African Moon flowers are pollinated by small horseflies.
• The leaves of African Moon are narrow and light green, and 7 cm long and with indented edges.
• The leaves are numerous at the base of the stems, becoming fewer and smaller near the top.
• African Moon flowers close at night and on cloudy days or before rain.
• The seeds of African Moon are achenes.
• Two different types of florets, produce 2 different seed types, rod-like and winged seeds.
• The winged seed type being in the majority.
• When ripe the seeds are exposed and become creamy-brown and then fall to the ground.

Growing African Moon

• African Moon grows easily form seed.
• Sow the seeds in autumn directly into the planting beds.
• Scatter the seed on well-prepared soil with good drainage and in full sun.
• The seeds can be lightly covered with sand or fine milled bark.
• Germination is fast, usually within 4 days.
• Plant these African Moon seedlings closely.
• Apply fertilizers only if the plants look stunted or deficient.

African Moon Plant Care

• African Moon plant requires good amount of sunshine.
• Watering the young seedlings regularly.
• Apply the fertilizers if only necessary.
• Dimorphothecea pluvialis has a major pest as guineafowl, which love to eat the soft new growth.
• Use pesticides to drive away the insects damaging the plant.

Wedding Flowers

Wedding Flowers play an integral part in any wedding, used for both decoration and for tradition. Wedding Flowers - Wedding Ceremony Flowers and Wedding Reception Flowers - set the mood and tone for the day.

Flowers used in a wedding can range from natural Cut Flowers, artificial flowers like porcelain bridal flowers, to handmade flowers with Swarovski crystals, and silk flowers.

Wedding Flowers can also be made into keepsakes that live a lifetime.

Traditional Wedding Flowers

In early Roman Weddings, Brides carried herbs under their veils to ensure fertility and fidelity and ward off evil spirits. In Weddings in ancient Greece, the Ivy was used to represent enduring love.

Different customs have adopted different conventions in the use of flowers in weddings. Jazz musicians lead a procession to the reception from the church in Louisiana, followed by the bridesmaids twirling umbrellas decorated with flowers. In England, the bride and the wedding party walked to the church together.

A young girl leads the procession scattering blossoms along the road so the Brides path through life would always be happy and filled with flowers.

A symbol of spring and renewed life, Peonies come in many colors and varieties, used as Centerpieces as well as Pew and Chair Decorations.

Luxuriant, long-petalled Orchids are exotic and fragrant, and an excellent choice for Wedding Bouquets as well as corsages for the bridal couple's mothers.

Lotus represents four virtues in the Buddhist religion as well as being the cornerstone of Asian flower culture.

Modern Wedding Flower Trends

Fashion trends also dictate the choice of Wedding Flowers. Convention has taken a backseat to individuality, in the choice of Wedding Flowers. Bridesmaids' bouquets do not necessarily match the bridal bouquet, the boutonnieres and centerpieces.

Colorful arrays in contrast to the traditional white are also in style. Lavenders and plums are en vogue. Rather than the traditional romantic Wedding Flower Arrangements, bold and powerful settings, modern, Zen and even monochromatic designs with only one flower or color are in trend.

Flowers used in Weddings are generally in bouquets for Brides and Bridesmaids, Pomanders, Corsages, Headdresses, thank you bouquets, and cake decorations. For the Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen, Mothers, Grandmothers, and all those in between Flower Corsages, Boutonnieres and Buttonholes (also known as flowers to wear) are ideal.

Flowers are also an indispensable part of decor in Church and Venue displays, pew ends, tabletops, long and low displays. It is also appropriate to present a corsage to those who help out in the wedding.

For a Springtime Wedding, the most popular flowers are those that symbolize new beginnings, in rich colors, with full, textured blooms: Peonies, Hydrangea, Lilac, Viuburnum, Tulips, Roses, Cymbidium Orchids, Ranunculas

For a Summertime Wedding, its the Roses that are in full bloom at summertime. With so many beautiful varieties, different roses can be combined for a stunning arrangement: Garden Roses, Ecuadorian Roses, Tea Roses, Spray Rose, or locally grown roses.

Beyond the most established uses for Wedding Flowers in room and table decor and corsages, flowers of all varieties are used to enhance the special day in many non-traditional ways. For example:

• Welcome flower gifts for out-of-town guests and members of the bridal parties.
• Thank you flower gifts for those people who make the bride and groom's day special.
• Rehearsal dinner and wedding brunch decor.
• Decorations for the wedding transportation.
• Floating arrangements for ponds or pools.
• Accessories for the bride's hair, in some cases replacing the more traditional veil.

Availability of Wedding Flowers in Different Seasons

These days, availability of any flower is not a big problem since flowers are being imported from the places of availability to those of non-availability (since seasons vary across different parts of the globe).

But, one has to pay huge amounts to be able to do so. But broadly, the following flowers are available in USA during respective months of different seasons mentioned underneath.

• Wedding flowers available all year-round: Baby's Breath, Bachelor's Button, Calla lilies, Carnations, Delphiniums, Gardenias, Heather, Lily of the valley, Orchids, Proteas, Roses, Scabiosas, etc.
• Wedding flowers available in Spring: Anemones, Bells of Ireland, Boronia, Casablanca Lily, Daffodils, Delphiniums, Hyacinths, Lilacs, Narcissi, Peonies, Ranunculi, Stargazer Lilies, Sweet peas, Tulips, Waxflowers, etc.
• Wedding flowers available in Summer : Alstroemerias, Bells of Ireland, Chrysanthemums, English lavenders, Forget me nots, Freesia, Gerbera daisies, Hydrangeas, Irises, Larkspurs, Liatrises, Lilies (Asiatic and Oriental), Lisianthus, Matsumoto Asters, Monte Casino Asters, Queen Anne's Laces, Snapdragons, Solidastors, Statices, Stephanotis, Stock flowers, Sunflowers, Tuberoses, Yarrows, Zinnias, etc.
• Wedding flowers available in Fall: Asters, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Marigolds, Sttices, Zinnias, etc.
• Wedding flowers available in Winter : Amaryllis, Anemones, Bells of Ireland, Camellias, Casablanca lilies, Cosmos, Daffodils, Forget me nots, Hollies, Jasmines, Narcissus, Poinsettias, Ranunculus, Stargazer lilies, Stars of Bethlehem, Sweet peas, Tulips, Wax flowers, etc.

Corn Flower

Kingdom

Plantae Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Tribe

Cynareae

Genus

Centaurea

A drought tolerant annual, native to Europe, which has naturalized throughout North America. The upper half of the plant is multi-stemmed, producing many flowers. Leaves are covered with small white hairs causing the plant to have a blue-gray appearance. The original flower color is blue, but it is now available in white, pink and red. Prefers full sun in various soil types. An outstanding performer whether your preference is for cutting or admiring.

The blue cornflower has been the national flower of Estonia since 1968 and is a symbol of daily read to the nationals of the country. It is also the symbol of the Estonian political party, People's Union, theFinnish political party, National Coalition Party, and the Swedish political party, Liberal People's Party, and has also been a symbol of social liberalism in Switzerland since the 20th century. It is also the official flower of the Swedish province of Östergötland.

The blue cornflower is also considered one of the national flowers of Germany. Legend has it that when Queen Louise of Prussia was escaping Berlin and being chased by Napolean’s soldiers, she chose to hdide her children in a field full of cornflowers. She would keep them quiet by making garlands of corn flowers for them. The flower has since been synonymous with Prussia, and hence with ermany, when the two countries got unified in 1871.

How to grow a Corn Flower

• Prep the soil and loosen it with a rake. Start working on it as early as in spring.
• Scatter the seeds across the soil.
• Cover lightly with a thin layer of dirt and pat gently.
• Sprinkle the seeds with water and keep moist.
• Plant the seedlings to 8 to 12 inches apart.
• If sowing in winter, do so without worry, as they can endure the harsh cold and are very hardy.
• Prepare a clear plastic container by poking holes in the bottom and in the lid.
• Put one to three inches of dirt in the base of the container and thoroughly wet the soil.
• Sprinkle the seeds on the soil.
• Put into the soil.
• Water the seeds.
• Place the lid securely on the container and place outside.
• Water the container as soon as the soil starts drying out.
• As soon as the first true leaves arrive, transplanting can begin.

Corn Flower plant care

• Place the plant such that it gets sufficient sunlight, but not too much of it. It can be put on a window sill too, as long as some kind of light covering can be arranged for. An indication of the plant getting excessive sunlight will be the leaves of the plant turning light green. Avoid placing the plant in an area where it might be in direct attack from a breeze or draft.
• Before putting the plant in a container, fill the container with water and let it stay for 48 hours, so that the chlorine evaporates. When the top half of the soil is dry, you can beg9in watering the plant. Pour water close to the stalk, as its roots are close to that area and are very short.
• Water should be added to this plant only when the plant is dry. To test dryness, insert a water gauge 2 inches below the top soil. Water the plant only if the gauge reads “dry” and keep watering until it reads “moist”.
• Every alternate month, fertilize the plant with a liquid fertilizer while watering it.
• As mentioned earlier, the roots of this plant are small. Therefore the plant should e kept in a small pot. Once it grows, a bigger pot can be opted for.
• The height of the corn flower plant can be controlled by pulling out the center of new growth on the plant.

African Daisy

The African daisy flowers reflect the beauty and the burning color of the sun and hence, referred to as the Goddess of the Sun.

The African Daisy (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca), also known as the African Cape Marigold, are one of the colorful flowers for a beautiful garden. The African daisy flowering plant is excellent for naturalized areas and as ground cover for large areas, for parking strips, borders, large pots and tubs.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Dimorphotheca

The African daisy flowers are 1-1/2 inch wide flowers, which close at night, in the shade, and during cloud cover. The African daisy flowers are in shades of white, orange and yellow and apricot. Synonyms of African Daisy are: Dimorphotheca integrifolia, Dimorphotheca calendulacea, Dimorphotheca dentata, Dimorphotheca aurantiaca.

Facts About African Daisies

• African Daisies are herbaceous annuals.
• African Daisies grow to a height of 1 - 1.5ft.
• African Daisies produces a fruit with abundant seeds.
• The genus name, Dimorphotheca, means two shapes of seed since the plant produces two non & identical seed forms.
• African Daisies blooms during April-August.
• African Daisies start to germinate in 10-30 days.

Growing African Daisies

• African daisies need full sun and a light dry soil.
• African daisies seeds can be sown in spring after frosts.
• Just cover the seeds and keep them moist but not wet.
• Sow them about 4 inches apart in the soil.
• Add a general purpose fertilizer to the African daisies once a month.
• African daisies doesn's transplant well, so plant where you want them.

Care of African Daisies

• Remove old and spent leaves to prevent fungus infections.
• When repotting see that the crown of the plant is above the level of the soil.
• Generally, African Daisies do not need insecticides or fungicides.
• If a problem arises treat them with an insecticidal soap and /or fungicide.
• Mulching is done around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.
• Water the plant well weekly until soil is completely moist.

Orchids

Did you know? The largest orchid is generally agreed to be the Grammatophyllum speciosum. It can weigh up to 2,000 pounds or 900 kilograms and is reputed to produce up to 10,000 flowers on a mature plant in nature.

Orchids are one of the most exquisite and fascinating flowers in the world. In fact, so fascinated is the world with Orchids that many countries have adopted different varieties of orchids as their respective National Flowers. Orchids are proliferated across most countries.The orchid flowers are especially prolific in the tropics, where the majority of the species grow on the trunks and branches of trees. In the temperate zones, such as southern Australia, most Orchids grow on the ground.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Liliopsida

Order

Asparagales

Family

Orchidaceae

No flowering plant has captured the attention of humans, or stirred their passions, in quite the way that Orchids have. In the past, Orchids have been hunted and collected in almost every part of the world. Today, millions of people remain devoted to the plant and its exotically beautiful "faces." The human fascination with these strangely compelling flowers is often referred to as theObsession with Orchids.

In 1735, Carl Von Lin (Linnaeus), a Swedish botanist, used the wordOrchidaceae (taken from Orkhis), which led to further discoveries carried on by Darwin. Orchids belong to the family Orchidaceae. There are 2 different growth types of Orchids. Generally Orchids are divided into Monopodial and Sympodial varieties. Monopodial Orchids have a central stem of growth. Monopodial Orchids have no pseudo bulbs, but produce new growth from the crown of the plant. Flowers are produced from the stem between the leaves, usually alternating from side to side.

Sympodial Orchids possess a rhizome, which sends out a shoot. This develops into a stem and leaves and eventually produces flowers. Later, from the base of this growth, a new shoot develops and goes on. The buds are often protected by a sheath.

Categories in Orchids

Depending on their growth habits, Orchids are generally divided into three main categories-

• Epiphytic Orchids are grown perched high on the trees clinging to branches or in the trunk apex of the tree. They derive their nutrients from the air, rain, and any decaying vegetation, which the roots can contact. Epiphytic Orchids have specialized aerial roots, which have a white spongy layer of cells called velamen. This protects the inner root tissues and absorbs water. These roots will also often dangle free in the atmosphere.
• Lithophytic Orchids are seen covering the bases and forks of trees or filling crevices in rocks, and absorb a maximum supply of nutrients from decaying mosses.
• Terrestrial Orchids are seen under the ground, having a symbiotic relation with a special fungus, which in turn supports the orchid with the essential nutrients.

Orchids make up the world's most diverse plant family with a number of species estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000 in over 800 genera.

Orchids are broadly constituted into five Sub-Families
1. Cypripedioideae
2. Epidendroideae
3. Neottiodeae
4. Orchidoideae
5. Vandoideae

Cherry Blossom

'Under a cherry tree' is one of the most wanted destinations for marriage globally.

Cherry Blossoms are some of the most beautiful flowers, coming in bright colors. The Cherry Blossom tree in full bloom, during the arrival of spring, is one of the most beautiful sights to behold.

The Cherry Blossom is so popular that festivals are celebrated in its honor- the Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrated in the months of March and April.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Rosales

Family

Rosaceae

Subfamily

Prunoideae

Genus

Prunus

The Cherry Blossom is Japan's unofficial National Flower. Somei Yoshino is a favorite Cherry Blossom variety of the Japanese. The flowers are almost pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem.

The Somei Yoshino Cherry Blossoms bloom, and usually fall within a week, before the leaves come out. The trees, thus look nearly white from top to bottom. Other Cherry Blossom varieties include yamazakura, yaezakura, and shidarezakura. The yaezakura Cherry Blossom have large flowers, thick with rich pink petals.

The shidarezakura Cherry Blossom, or weeping Cherry, has branches that fall like those of a weeping willow, bearing cascades of pink flowers.

The Japanese Cherry starts flowering profusely from the first warmer days in April, heralding the coming of spring. The pink or white flowers grow in racemose clusters at nodes on short spurs. They are past flowering early in May.

 

The Cherries can be divided into three groups - the European, the American, and the Oriental. In general, the Oriental types (Prunus serrulata) are less hardy. This genus - Prunus comprises over 400 species and numerous cultivars of trees and shrubs growing in temperate climates mostly in the Northern Hemisphere.

It includes evergreen shrubs, flowering fruit trees, and all the stone fruits -almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, and prunes. They are also very ornamental.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift to the city of 3,000 Japanese cherry trees from the Mayor of Tokyo to strengthen the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. Cherry Blossoms are rooted deep in the culture of Japan and were used in ancient Japan to forecast how crops for the coming year would do. Modern Japan still celebrates Hanami - gatherings of friends to picnic under a canopy of Cherry Blossoms, enjoying the brief burst of the beauty of nature and springtime. Through the centuries, the Japanese have developed many different varieties of the Cherry tree. All of these trees bloom for a short time with pink or white flowers. Cherries are part of the rose family and like roses, most cherry trees bloom during the spring. A few varieties are grown to flower later and actually show their blossoms in autumn or even during winter! Normally, it is just a week to ten days before all of the blossoms are carried away by the wind.

Growing Cherry Blossoms

Cherries are propagated by budding them on seedling stocks in the nursery and are sold for planting stock as one or two-year-old trees. Sweet and Sour Cherries are fairly easy to grow. Sour Cherries, which are smaller and more tolerant of cold and heat, are easier to grow than sweet Cherries.

Sour cherries are self-pollinating so you don't have to plant two kinds. Sour Cherries also bloom later, which makes them less vulnerable to harm from late spring frosts.

• Because of the fact that Cherry Blossom trees bloom early in spring and are susceptible to damage from late spring frosts, the site for growing Cherries should be slightly higher and sloped than the surrounding ground to prevent frosty air from settling in the low spots.
• Cherry Blossom trees should be placed in a sheltered location with full sun, in soil that is deep, fertile and moist, but well drained.
• Full sun exposure for Cherry Blossom trees is necessary to produce delicious Cherries and strong trees.
• Cherry Blossom trees grown in shade will produce spindly branches and fewer cherries that are less sweet.
• Sweet and sour Cherries are susceptible to most of the same problems.

Cherry Blossom Plant Care

• Maintaining a clean surrounding is very important to keep pest and disease problems down for Cherry Blossom trees.
• Bird problems on Cherry Blossom trees can be prevented by planting your trees near people or pets and by netting.
• Diseased fruit, leaves, and prunings on Cherry Blossom trees should be removed immediately and either burned to kill insect larvae and disease spores or destroyed in a hot compost pile.
• Some common problems seen in Cherry Blossom trees are Plum curculio, Brown rot, cherry fruit flies, cherry leaf spot and bacterial canker.

Sampaguita

Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) is a sweetly scentedtropical flower. Belonging to the wide genus ofJasmines (Jasminum), Sampaguita is the common name of the species Jasminum sambac. Sampaguita is also known as Philippine Jasmine, Arabian jasmine,Pikake in Hawaii, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Kampupot, and Melati .

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Lamiales

Family

Oleaceae

Genus

Jasminum

The species Jasminum sambac is native to southern Asia, in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Sampaguita is serving as the National Flower of for two countries - Philippines and Indonesia.. The beautiful ornamental Sampaguita blooms cover the glossy green leafed bushed type ever bloomer. The Sampaguita is also well known in Asia for its use in teas and religious offerings, symbolizing divine hope.

Sampaguita grow on a woody vine or semi-climbing shrub, which reaches a height of 1,2 meters. The leaves are ovate or rounded in shape and 6 to 12 cm long. The leaves and Sampaguita flowers grow on short stalks. The Sampaguita flowers bloom either singly or as bundles of blossoms at the top of the branches. Blooming all through the year, Sampaguita are pure white, small, dainty, star-shaped blossoms. The flowers open at night and wilt in less than a day. The Sampaguita flower has about 8-10 calyx teeth that are very slender, and 5 to 8 mm long. The Sampaguita's corolla tube is slender and 1 to 1.5 cm long, the limb is usually double and 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter. The 2 stamens on the Sampaguita are included with a 2-celled ovary.

Sampaguita's distinct sweet, heady fragrance is its unique feature. The essential oil from the flowers is similar to jasmin (Jasminum grandiflores). Sampaguita flowers do not bear seeds, therefore the plant is cultivated by cuttings. Sampaguita was imported into the Philippines in the 17th century from Himalayan areas. The Sampaguita is a native part of the Philippine landscape for centuries. The plant is originally from India and is grown throughout India today. About eight cultivars are generally listed for Sampaguita.Some varieties of Sampaguitas can grow as large as small roses in India.

Varieties of Sampaguita

There are three varieties of Sampaguita, commonly referred to as Single Petal, Double and Double-Double. The double layered Sampaguita are called 'kampupot,' which are less fragrant. The three major varieties: 'Maid of Orleans', 'Belle of India' and 'Grand Duke' - differ from each other by the shape of leaves and flowers structure. The fourth popular variety Mysore Mulli, a variation of the 'Belle of India'.

• Maid of Orleans: Single with five rounded petals
• Belle of India:Semi-double or single (single and double flowers on the same plant) with elongated petals
• Grand Duke of Tuscany: clusters of flowers (sometimes single flower). Only the central flower is truly double-rossete. Side flowers are semi-double, and like miniature roses