Create Beautiful Flower Displays in Your Home or Garden with Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets have been popular for summer decorating for many years. They even go back as far as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. These fantastic gardens were considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Even the Victorians adored their lovely hanging baskets. As people moved to North America, their love of flowers, and diverse cultures brought various ways to display them.

Hanging baskets are an attractive way to decorate porches and verandahs with beautiful colors and different plants. Usually the kind of flowers you plant is based upon the position they are in. If they are in full or part sun, or shade, this determines the plants that can be grown.

Use your imagination and likes to decide what flowers to plant. You can go with all one color, mixed colors, and holiday themes. If you want, you can use all the same flowers or mix sizes and colors in your flower baskets, window boxes, and planter stands. If you are in a warm climate you can start your hanging baskets and planters early and enjoy them for many months.

Using Hanging Baskets

To make your house and garden attractive, try hanging baskets in other places besides the front porch. Use a shepherd's hook with a hanging basket beside your front steps or mailbox. Build an arbor and decorate it with hanging flowers. Frame your sidewalk, patio and entrances with colorful hanging baskets.

When you are ready to plant, decide what kind of planter you want. The sizes vary from 6 to 12 inches. Choose a size that is appropriate for the area where it will hang.  When you have the container, then you are ready to put the moss in the pot. Sphagnum moss is used because it holds moisture and helps plants grow better. After the moss is moistened and fitted into the container, then you can add the potting soil and polymers. Potting soil by itself does not hold nutrients, so polymers need to be added periodically.

Hanging Baskets Require Minimal Care

Hanging pots are easy to take care of and come with an external saucer or an internal disk that holds water, which can be pulled into the plant. Just continue watering and fertilizing through the summer and you will be able to enjoy your beautiful plants the entire season. Hanging baskets do not take up a lot of room and are pleasing to look at, being at eye level.

With the Bloom Master hanging baskets, you do not need to use the moss. You buy the pots with growing holes and use potting mix with nutrients to help the plants grow faster and larger. These hanging baskets and box planters produce healthy beautiful plants in no time.

Plant Beautiful Flowers

When you have the pot prepared, place your flowers in and water them. Plant the largest flowers first and follow with the smaller ones and the fillers. Some popular flowers that are recommended for hanging baskets are petunias, impatiens, pansies, ferns, ivy, mums, coleus, fuchsias and many others. Start planning your flower gardens now and enjoy a creative, beautiful growing season.

Share:

Read More

Discover the Pleasure Derived from Flower Paintings

When we paint, we release some sort of energy within ourselves, we express our emotions and we share with other people how we perceive life as we see it with our own eyes. Also, paintings doesn't have to be exclusively enjoyed by the artists when we paint them, but more so, paintings are for the people who see them, to appreciate them and to understand the beauty of what surrounds us.

Usually, when painters create their works of art, they get their inspiration from what they see, be it people, landscapes, trees, animals, flowers and almost anything there is that we see, and some times, what we don't see. Generally, painters see the beauty of nature and transfer this unto a canvas or any other medium.

For those who love flower paintings, you are in luck because many artists choose this theme for their works of art. Still life and flower paintings are very popular themes and many homes have these types of painting inside. In fact, you will be able to choose numerous types of flora and find that there are paintings done about them already, albeit in different styles and moods, some can be bright and happy while some can be dark and droopy, this all depends on what the artist wants to convey.

Aside from just an appreciative audience for flower paintings, all aspiring artists can use flowers as the themes of their first paintings. The great thing about choosing flowers as your theme is it would be hard to run out of subjects. With so many types of flora available, you can do a variety of flower paintings. In fact, with the orchid alone, you can choose from the many types of orchids there are.

Also, flowers are very colorful so that means you can have a very vibrant looking work of art. What you need to understand is that painting flowers may seem very simple, but to make them look utterly magnificent, you need to learn how to play with your curves and lines to make them look vibrant and real. Play with the lighting as well so you can create a flower painting that seems like you could already smell the flower.

If you want to learn how to paint flowers with the greatest of ease, there are many books and DVD's that you can refer to and discover the secrets in creating realistic looking flowers. If you want, you can also join art classes in your local area. If not, there are online art schools that can help you discover the fun world of flower painting.

But why flowers? Each delicate curve, line, shape and color that goes into flowers is a challenge in itself. Nature has made the flowers to provide it with color in a natural way. Men have always been fascinated with flowers and this is evident in many homes as there is usually an image or two found inside of them.

Sure photographs can be blown up and framed and can give a more realistic feel, but there's just something about flower paintings that can never be captured by the lens.  Also, if you painted the flower yourself, you will derive a lot of satisfaction knowing that you have created your own personal masterpiece.

Share:

Read More

The Valley of Flowers

High in the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttranchal lies an enchanting valley. Here flower pastures with clear running streams are set against silver birches and shining snow peaks. Dew lies thick on the flowers, birds sing in the surrounding forest and the air is pure and charged with floral smells.

Hidden from the probing eyes of civilization, this valley had been known to the inhabitants as the Bhyundar Valley, the playground of fairies and nymphs. Trespassing their celestial abode was avoided although shepherds did take the liberty to graze their cattle here.

Legends associate this valley with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected "Sanjeevani" herbs to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama. Hanuman had to visit far-flung areas in his search for the life - saving herbs.

Frank S. Smith - mountaineer, explorer, botanist who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon of 1937 and did valuable exploratory work, introduced the valley to the world as the Valley of Flowers.

The 7 kms. trail from Pulna to Bhyundar village is full of nature's scenic splendours including cascading water falls and cold water springs. Shrubs and wild roses grow abundantly and rhododendrons color the area with pink and dark red. Small wayside tea stalls run all across the route and young and enthusiastic tourist guides can be engaged at Bhyundar village.

After resting awhile here, the trek on the right bank of the Laxman Ganga continues through the rich vegetation till a log bridge, supported on now, the trail becomes, steeper and harder and 2kms. from here, you will reach Ghangharia, the base camp for treks to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Since camping and overnight stay is not allowed in the Valley of Flowers, Ghangharia is the logical base camp for the trek.

Share:

Read More

The White Rose is Not Just Another Flower

Because white is a symbol of purity, honor, and innocence, white roses are often the type of flower chosen for weddings. They seem to exude cleanliness, freshness and sophistication. A bush loaded full with white roses is an outstanding sight to behold!  One might think of them as having heavenly beauty.

The beginning of a new relationship, a fresh start, a baby's birth, could be celebrated with a gift of breathtaking white roses. They can bring an air of importance to any event, or to your outdoor scenery. They can bring out the best in a formal setting and add a teasing glimpse of bright color and beauty to an informal setting.

White roses are used in garlands, as adornments for hair, decoration on hats, or in corsages and boutonnieres. When used fresh, they can only last a few hours.

Proper preparation for long use of fresh white roses includes:

1. Soak the stem in room-temperature water for a few hours prior to use.

2. Wrap the end of the stem or stems tightly in florist's tape to contain the moisture.

3. Slip wires discreetly beneath the florist's tape and pierce the calyx. (The calyx is the outer group of protective leaves of a flower). The wire helps stiffen the stem.

There is such a thing as a glass lapel vase. When refilled, often it will keep the flowers strong for days.

White roses can be ordered and shipped overnight. It is possible to find them for about forty dollars a dozen. They can be mixed with other colored flowers to brighten an arrangement.

White on roses that aren't mean to be white can signify downy mildew. This condition is brought on by hot days and cold nights; possibly there will not be enough air circulation. There is a fungicide available. Always read the labels to determine that it will be what is best for your particular climate and plant. As with any chemical, you should use a fungicide with care. Using mulch around the roots is helpful to protect against this condition.

An interesting white rose is a Cherokee rose. It comes from the Orient, made its way to Florida, and escaped to become the wild rose of the South. Soldiers during the Civil War planted this rose on the graves of fallen comrades. Indian legends have been made about this white rose.

Also in the south, there is a leafy white rose native to North Central Texas. The most famous rose gardens are in Tyler, Texas, known for its field-grown roses. An autumn rose festival is held there each year. It is not unusual to see wild white roses running wild in south Texas, at a height of up to eight feet. White roses do indeed add a wild grace to an untamed countryside.

Early Christians used to shun the rose, believing it a symbol of pagan corruption. The belief was also that the rose grew thorn less in the Garden of Eden and acquired thorns to remind people of their sins. How ironic that the white rose, indeed that any rose used to be shunned and is now a welcome symbol in many ways.

Share:

Read More

Arranging Flowers for Dummies

Have you been intimidated by the thought of putting together a flower arrangement but experienced failure before you even bought the flowers? Arranging flowers is not that difficult with a little guidance and some great ideas! Displaying your flowers can be fun especially when being creative in stylish but simple ways.

The first thing to start with is finding some basic household containers for your fresh cut flowers. Don't be limited to the typical glass vase but expand the horizons of your creativity and just start to look around you. Grandma's old water picture makes a great country look or a sterling silver pitcher for a more traditional look.

Simple candle votive holders with a single flower in it at each place setting at your dinner party, adds a touch of elegance. Old cans and bottles can be quite nostalgic. The ideas are endless without the expense of purchasing a vase. Choosing flowers with large heads like lilies, orchids or sunflowers individually put in a container all lined up is quite stylish.

Using vintage teapots, tumblers or even old jam jars can create a conversation piece. Be sure to cut the stems short so the flowerheads skim the top of the container. Jar or glass containers can be put inside baskets for a unique fall look or spring assortment.

If you have a suitable vase but the color is just not right, try wrapping it with ribbon, string or a scarf. This adds a nice visual interest and distracts the eye from the vase. You could even stick the vase inside a decorative gift bag for that goes with your theme or decor.

It is much easier to coordinate the color of flowers once you have the vase design set. Another great idea, yet simple, is to cover the outside of the vase in double-sided adhesive tape. Then stick large leaves vertically around. Some household leaves look wonderful because of their exotic markings, coloration or glossiness. If you have no leaves, wind plain string or colored in coils around the bottles of jars. Adding beads or shells can add an ethnic look. Satin parcel ribbon or even honeysuckle vines will work.  Go with where your interests lie.

If this is all not simple enough for you or you have had a few disasters in your demonstration, then a lovely way of displaying flowers is to cut off individual flower heads and float them in a low dish of water. Adding small floating candles is very romantic and brings a peace and tranquillity into your arrangement and your home.

Flower arranging is not something you can really fail at if the flowers you love are mixed with the people you love. Whether the arrangement is for your home or elsewhere, enjoy your creation and the time you spent creating it. Stop and smell the flowers is a cliché we have all heard but oh so true! In this fast paced world, take time to enjoy the scents, beauty and diversity of flowers.

Share:

Read More

Flowers, a Big Part of Bridal Accessories

Flowers are a big part of most weddings your bridal accessories will include bouquets for the bridesmaids and maid of honor as well as corsages for the men and of course your bridal bouquet. The church or other area you have the ceremony at will need flowers and the reception hall as well. The flowers will match your theme or color scheme for the wedding. You can pick flowers from a florist and they usually have books and other literature to browse through to see different types of arrangements. You will want to have your dress and the bridesmaids dresses picked out before going for flowers arrangements and colors.

Some brides are finding that since flowers are a big part of the bridal accessories, they are starting to make their own flowers. There are flower websites online that have how-to books that tell you exactly how to make the flowers. The books and instructions tell you what flowers to use and provide step by step directions that all brides and bridesmaid can put together before the wedding. Yes, this is a great way to save some money, but you also need to plan for the time it takes to assemble your creations. If you use silk or dried flowers, you can make them anytime before the big day.

Most brides are so busy, they just want to look at pictures and have the florist make and deliver the flowers. This is more for a time constraint than anything. Your bridal accessories include so many different things, that most brides want everything done by a professional. Although homemade flower add a personal touch, they are sometimes harder to make. You are better off saving money on the invitations and making them yourself than the flowers. There are so many types of flowers to use in your bouquets.

The men usually have a single boutonnière that is pinned to the lapel of the jacket. The women have bouquets similar to the brides in color. The bride's bouquet might be mat with calla lilies or roses. There are other flowers such as wildflowers and carnations. Your bridal accessories list might also include table flowers for the reception hall. These flowers can be the same color scheme, but can be different from the wedding bouquets. Bridal flowers are idea for pressing if they are real after the ceremony and reception.

Some brides and bridesmaids do flatten the bouquets and keep the flowers as a keepsake. This is another tradition as is keeping the wedding dress and veil. Your wedding and accessories will look beautiful no matter what type of wedding you have. You can also choose green plants for the reception tables and allow your guests to take them home as a reminder of your wedding. You can do so many different things with flowers and green plants for a wedding and reception.  After the flowers and all the other bridal accessories are taken care of, you can sit back and wait for the day to come and it will come even faster than you think.

Share:

Read More