Rose

Roses for the longest time have enjoyed the honor of being the most popular flowers in the world. The reason for popularity of the rose flower may be its wide variety in terms of color, size, fragrance and other attributes.

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:Magnoliophyta

Class:Magnoliopsida

Order:Rosales

Family:Rosaceae

Subfamily:Rosoideae

Genus:Rosa

The rose has been a symbol of love, beauty, even war and politics from way back in time. The variety, colour and even number of Roses carry symbolic meanings. The Rose is most popularly known as the flower of love, particularly Red Rose.

Roses have been the most popular choice of flowers for the purpose of gifting across the world. They also act as a great addition to home and office decor. A bunch of roses or even a single rose works wonders aesthetically and considerably enlivens a place. Besides fresh cut roses, artificial flowers like silk roses in different colors are also widely used as decoration.

Some Interesting Facts About Roses

• The birthplace of the cultivated Rose was probably Northern Persia, on the Caspian, or Faristan on the Gulf of Persia.
• Historically, the oldest Rose fossils have been found in Colorado, dating back to more than 35 million years ago.
• Roses were considered the most sacred flowers in ancient Egypt and were used as offerings for the Goddess Isis. Roses have also been found in Egyptian tombs, where they were formed into funeral wreaths.
• Confucius, 551 BC to 479 BC, reported that the Imperial Chinese library had many books on Roses.
• Ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia (in the Tigris-Euphrates River Valley) mentioned Roses in a cuneiform tablet (a system of writing) written in approximately 2860 BC.
• The English were already cultivating and hybridizing Roses in the 15th Century when the English War of Roses took place. The winner of the war, Tudor Henry VII, created the Rose of England (Tudor Rose) by crossbreeding other Roses.
• While no Black Rose yet exists, there are some of such a deep Red color as to suggest Black.
• Roses are universal and grown across the world.
• The Netherlands is the world’s leading exporter of Roses.

The Netherlands, with about 8000 hectares of land under Rose cultivation, is the global leader in Rose cultivation. 54 per cent (about 5000 hectares) of the cultivated land in Ecuador is under Rose cultivation!! Zambia, a small nation, had 80 per cent of its cultivated land under Roses.

Classification of Roses

Broadly, Roses are divided into three classes-

Species Roses

Species Roses are often called Wild Species Roses. Species Roses often have relatively simple, 5-petaled flowers followed by very colorful hips that last well into the winter, providing food for birds and winter color.

The most popular Rose species for sale today is Rosa rugosa owing to its superior hardiness, disease resistance, and extremely easy maintenance. Species roses are widely hybridized. Wild Species Roses include many different varieties. Wild Species Roses usually bloom once in the summer.

Old Garden Roses

Old Garden Roses have a delicate beauty and wonderful perfume, not often found in modern hybrid tea roses. Old Garden Roses are a diverse group from the those with a wonderful fragrance and great winter hardiness to the tender and lovely tea roses, which are best suited for warm climates.

Old Garden Roses comprise a multifaceted group that in general are easy to grow, disease-resistant and winter-hardy. Old Garden Roses grow in several shrub and vine sizes. Although colors do vary, this class of Roses are usually white or pastel in color. These “antique Roses” are generally preferred for lawns and home gardens. Several groupings of Roses classified as Old Garden Roses are China Roses, Tea Roses, Moss Roses, Damask Roses, Bourbon Roses, etc.

Modern Roses

Any Rose identified after 1867, is considered a Modern Rose.

Old Garden Roses are the predecessors of Modern Roses. This group of Roses are very popular. The Modern Rose is the result of crossbreeding the hybrid tea with the polyanthus (a variety of primrose).

The colors of Modern Roses are varied, rich and vibrant. The most popular roses found in the class of Modern Roses are the Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda Roses, and Grandiflora Roses. Although Modern Roses are adored by florists and gardeners, they do require proper care, and do not adapt well to colder environments.

Popular Hybrid Varieties of Roses

Species Involved	Hybrid Product
Hybrid Perpetual Rose and Chinese Tea Rose	Hybrid Tea Rose
Hybrid Perpetual Rose and Australian Brier Rose	Yellow Permet Rose
R. multiflora and R. chinensis	Hybrid/Dwarf Polyanthas or Poly Pompon roses
Hybrid Tea Rose and Floribundas	Grandifloras
R. wichuriana, R. multiflora & Hybrid Tea Rose	Dorothy Perkins, American Pillar, Excelsa
R. canina and R. gallica	Albas
R. phoenica and R. gallica	Damaskas Rose
R. damascena and R. alba	Centifolia Rose
Autumn Damask Rose and China Rose	Bourbons

Growing Roses

• Roses may be grown in any well-drained soil with optimum sunlight.
• Most Rose varieties are grown by budding on an understock (lower portion of a plant) propagated from seeds or cuttings. Order rose seeds online and let your garden be filled with the marvellous color and fragrance of roses.
• Clay soils, warm temperatures are always preferred, and the rose plants grow best when not set among other plants.
• Cow manure is the preferred fertilizer for Rose cultivation, but other organic fertilizers, especially composts, are also used.
• Rose plants usually require severe pruning, which must be adapted to the intended use of the flowers.
• Trim off all broken and bruised roots on the Rose plant, cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches.
• Dig planting holes at least 6 inches deeper to accommodate the roots of the Rose plant without crowding or bending.
• Mix 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer with the soil placed over the drainage material.
• Cover this mixture with plain soil, bringing the level to desired planting depth.
• Make a mound in the center to receive the Rose plant.
• Set Rose plant roots over this mound, spread the roots, and fill in with soil.
• Firm the soil tightly 2 or 3 times while filling the hole.

It is extremely easy to buy rose plants online if you do not wish to go to the trouble of actually planting one. They usually come with a care manual and some plant food. An already flowering plant in a lovely container also makes a great gift item. The blooms stay longer and after they fade there is always the next flowering, thus providing the receiver with a lasting and beautiful gift.

Noisette Roses are the only Roses that originated in the United States of America.

Rose Plant Care

• When watering Roses, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, do not merely sprinkle.
• When it comes to fertilizing your roses, Provide a balanced diet to your roses. See what your plant is deficient in and try to include them in the fertilizer. Timing is also an important part to maximize the benefit of your fertilizer so that the nutrients are available to the plant when it needs it most during the active growing and blooming stage.Order your rose fertilizer now to enhance the vigor of blooming in your roses.
• Mulching during the summer will eliminate weeds amonf Rose plants. Mulches should be applied 2 or 3 weeks before the Roses come into bloom.
• Winter mulching with straw, peat moss, or other material is advisable. This mulch regulates the soil temperature and tempers the effects of freezing and thawing on thr Roses.
• Pull soil up around each Rose plant to a height of about 6 inches after the first frost.

Foolproof Guide to Growing Roses by Field Roebuck is a comprehensive book on growing roses ideal for would-be growers who were always afraid of roses, as well as for gardeners who already grow these beautiful flowers and want to learn more.

Iris

The word Iris means rainbow. Iris is the flower of the Greek goddess Iris who is the messenger of Love. In the language of flowers Iris symbolizes eloquence.

Irises are wonderful garden plants. The word Iris means rainbow. Irises come in many colors such as blue and purple, white and yellow, pink and orange, brown and red, and even black.

The genus Iris has about 200 species and is native to the North Temperate regions of the world. The habitat of irises also varies a lot. Some irises grow in deserts, some in swamps, some in the cold far north, and many in temperate climates. Bearded Iris and Siberian Iris are two of the most common types of irises grown.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Liliopsida

Order

Asparagales

Family

Iridaceae

Genus

Iris

Since Iris is the Greek goddess for the Messenger of Love, her sacred flower is considered the symbol of communication and messages. Therefore the flower iris in the language of flowers symbolizes eloquence. Based on their color, irises convey varied messages. A purple iris is symbolic of wisdom and compliments. A blue iris symbolizes faith and hope. A yellow iris symbolizes passion while white iris symbolizes purity. A gift of iris can be used to convey many emotions.

 

Some Interesting Facts about Iris

• Irises come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes and the sword-like foliage is attractive when the plant is not in bloom.
• The Iris was named after the Greek goddess who is considered to be the messenger of love and uses the rainbow to travel. Iris was probably named after the goddess because of the numerous colors it is available in.
• Irises are among the best-known and loved among garden plants. Irises are hardy herbaceous perennials.
• The genus Iris is a large genus of bulbous and rhizomatous perennials.
• The Iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow because of its many colors.
• A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the time of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.
• Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues.
• The Iris was also a favorite flower of the Moslems who took it to Spain after their conquest in the 8th century.

The Iris flower’s characteristic feature is having three petals often called the “standards” and three outer petal-like sepals called the “falls”.

Types of Irises

Irises are classified into two major groups, Rhizome Irises and Bulbous Irises. Within those groups are countless species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids, according to the American Iris Society.

Rhizome Irises are thickened stems that grow horizontally, either underground or partially underground. After planting, iris rhizomes produce sword like leaves that overlap, forming flat fans of green foliage. Three popular irises in this group are Bearded, Beardless and Crested Irises.

• The bearded iris has four distinct parts: the Standards, Falls, Stigma flaps, and Beard
• The beardless variety has: Standards, Falls and Stigma flaps, but usually have crests
• The crested Irises or Evansia Iris has: Standards, Falls and Stigma flaps and in addition to a ridge on the falls of the blossom, they have ridges like crests instead of beards

Crested irises are often considered in the same manner as the beardless iris. These plants spread freely by underground stems and produce flat flowers in the shades of blue, violet and white. Often the flowers and leaves are found on bamboo like stems which can vary in height from 5-200 centimeters in height.

Varieties of Bearded Iris	Varieties of Beardless Iris
Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris	Siberian Iris
Dwarf Bearded Iris	Japanese Iris
Intermediate Bearded Iris	Louisiana Iris
Border Bearded Iris	Dutch Iris
Miniature Tall Bearded Iris	Yellow Flag Iris
Tall Bearded Iris	Blue Flag Iris

Bulbous irises grow from bulbs that require a period of dormancy after they have bloomed. The bulbous irises are typically smaller than rhizome irises and usually produce smaller blossoms.

Growing Irises

Before planting Iris, improve the soil conditions by using a slow release fertilizer. To increase the organic matter content, use compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure. Fertilizer and organic matter should be worked thoroughly into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil.

• Wooded areas with good drainage and partial shade are ideal spots for the crested iris.
• Irises are grown from both seed and root separation.
• The roots or rhizomes, are easily separated and replanted.
• The rhizome looks like a long, thin potato with roots underneath.
• When transplanting, separate the rhizome. Make sure to have some root and a leaf or two in each section.
• Plant the rhizomes near the surface with the roots below.
• Divide the clumps and plant single rhizomes, spacing them 8 to 18 inches apart according to the effect desired.
• Spade a planting hole about 10 inches deep and work 1 tablespoonful of fertilizer into the soil in the bottom of the hole.
• If the soil is heavy, some drainage material such as gravel or broken pottery should be placed in the hole.
• Fill the hole with loose soil and place the root section so that it will not be covered more than 1 inch deep.
• Most Beardless Irises can also be propagated from seeds.

The Dykes Medal is awarded annually to the finest iris of any class. Tall bearded irises have won the Dykes Medal more often than any other class.

Iris Plant Care

• Apply a thin layer of compost around the base of plants each spring, leaving the rhizome exposed.
• As flowers fade, cut back the flower stalks to the base of the plant.
• To encourage a second bloom on re-blooming varieties, promptly remove faded flowers and maintain consistent watering throughout the summer.
• In autumn, trim away dead foliage and prune back healthy leaves to a height of 4 to 5 inches.
• Once the soil has frozen, apply a layer of mulch to help prevent roots from heaving out of the soil during alternate freezing and thawing.
• If heaving occurs, don’t try to force plants back into the soil. Instead, cover rhizomes and exposed roots with soil.
• Divide bearded irises every 4 to 5 years, preferably in late summer. Each division should have one or two leaf fans. Older rhizomes that have few white feeding roots should be discarded.

Want to learn more about growing Irises and other flowers? View books on Gardening

Other Uses of Iris

• The juice of the fresh roots of Iris, bruised with wine, has been employed as a strong purge of great efficiency in dropsy.
• Iris roots are used to treat skin diseases. The juice of Irises are also sometimes used as a cosmetic for the removal of freckles on the skin.
• The fresh root of the Iris germanica is a powerful cathartic, and for this reason its juice has been employed in dropsy. It is chiefly used in the dry state, being said to be good for complaints of the lungs, for coughs and hoarseness, but is now more valued for the pleasantness of its violet-like perfume than for any other use.
• Iris flowers are used as a liver purge.

Purple Iris

• Purple Iris Flowers bloom for two to three weeks in the late spring to early summer.
• The Purple Iris is the state flower of Tennessee.
• The Purple Iris can be grown in your home, in containers.
• The majority of Iris flowers are in Purple.

Lavender

Spanish Lavender

Lavenders are considered to be one of the versatile flowers in the world. Besides being one of the very sweet smelling flowers and beautiful flowers, lavenders are sought-after for multiple uses, ranging from culinary to medicinal uses.

Kingdom:Plantae

Division:Magnoliophyta

Class:Magnoliopsida

Order:Lamiales

Family:Lamiaceae

Genus:lavandula

The historic use and recognition of lavender is almost as old the history of man. As a herb, lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years. In ancient times lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and people of Arabia. Mention of lavenders can also be found in the Bible, not by the name lavender but rather by the name used at that time – spikenard.

Facts About Lavender Flowers

• The lavenders comprise the genus Lavandula, with about 25-30 species of flowering plants.
• The name “lavender” comes from the Latin “lavare” – to wash, and the botanical name “lavandula” is derived from “livendula” – bluish.
• The native range of lavenders extend across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, south Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia, and India.
• Because the cultivated forms of lavenders are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapes, well beyond their natural range.
• During the Great Plague in London in the 17th century, it was suggested that a bunch of lavender fastened to each wrist would protect the wearer against the deadly disease.
• Lavenders have a unique fragrance produced by the combination of 180 different constituents and so are widely used in the perfume industry to add a top or middle note to commercial products.
• There are colored lavenders like Yellow, Green, White, Pink lavenders.

Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root name (either lavare-to wash or livendula- livid or bluish) from which we derive the modern name. The flower’s soothing ,”tonic” qualities, the insect repellent effects of the strong scent, and the use of the dried plant in smoking mixtures also added to the value placed in the herb by the ancients.

Varieties of Lavenders

French Lavender, English Lavender and Spanish Lavender are the popular varieties of Lavenders.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Description/Uses
Common Lavender	Lavender augustifolia	Raw leaves, petals and flowering tips of lavenders are used as a condiment in salads, soups, stews etc. They provide a very aromatic flavor. An essential oil obtained from these lavender flowers is antihalitosis, powerfully antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, nervine, sedative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic
French Lavender	Lavender stoechas	The flowers, and the essential oil derived from them, are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive and expectorant. The Lavender oil is used internally to alleviate nausea. Externally, the essential oil is used as an antiseptic wash for wounds, ulcers, sores etc and as a relaxing oil for massage
Spanish Lavender	Lavender stoechas ‘Otto Quast’	Antiseptic and relaxant
English Lavender	Lavender latifolia	English Lavender is much more aromatic and has a far greater delicacy of odour than the French, and the oil fetches ten times the price
Spike/Dutch Lavender	Lavender spica	Its scent contains a hint of spice and camphor in addition to the lavender scent. Spike Lavender is very fragrant and one of the lavenders commonly used for perfume.

Lavender has been extensively used in herbalism. An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to ward off insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches and used as an aid to sleep.

English lavender grown on my balcony, they have two blooms in this climate annually.

Uses of Lavender

• As an herbal medicine lavender is and has been very widely used. For soothing, relaxing qualities few herbs can be claimed as effective.
• Constituents of the oils found in lavender can treat hyperactivity, insomnia, flatulence, bacteria, fungus, microbial activity on gums, airborne molds.
• Compounds in the plant have even shown promise as a treatment for certain cancers.
• In mice these compounds red against impotence. In a study of men the scent of pumpkin and lavender as the scent found most arousing.
• Ideal for physical and emotional support. Lavender as a whole is an ‘adaptagenic’ essence with a relationship to all Body Systems. It is nicknamed the ultimate ‘first aid in a bottle’ oil. Lavender produces an Anti-Allergic Essential oil, with an inherent antibiotic action.
• It is also an astringent as well as moisturizing to skin. Lavender alleviates aches, pains, and swelling from arthritis to injury to headache. Lavender also alleviates motion sickness.
• According to the German nun Hildegard of Bingen who lived from 1098-1179, lavender “water”, a decoction of vodka, gin, or brandy mixed with lavender, is great for migraine headaches. – sounds good to me, no wonder they Sainted her.
  

Lilac

Aside from Roses, there is no flower as beautiful and aromatic as Lilacs. Of the two, Lilacs have a stronger scent that carries quite a distance. Unfortunately, Lilacs bloom for only a very brief couple of weeks in the spring. To prolong their presence in your yard, grow a variety of Lilacs, including, early, mid and late varieties. With variety and luck, you may be able to see Lilacs in bloom in your yard for up to six weeks. Weather will have a lot to do with how long your blooms last. Once the buds begin to open, pray for a cool dry spell. Once the blooms are over, you still have a nice shade bush, but you have to wait for up to fifty more weeks to see them again.

History

Lilacs in the United States date back to the mid 1750’s. They were grown in America’s first botanical gardens and were popular in New England. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them in their gardens. Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years, so a bush planted at that time may still be around. Lilacs originated from Europe and Asia, with the majority of natural varieties coming from Asia. In Europe, lilacs came from the Balkans, France and Turkey.

Where is

the Lilac Capital of the World? Many areas grow them and many have a wide variety in large numbers. But Rochester, N.Y. undoubtedly is the Lilac Capital of the World. It’s love for Lilacs dates back to 1892 when Highland Park horticulturalist John Dunbar planted 20 varieties on the sunny southern slopes of the park. Highland Park in Rochester is the scene of an annual, two week long Lilac Festival ,with over a half a million people attending the event each year. This park has over 500 varieties of lilacs and more than 1200 lilac bushes in the parks’ 155 acres.In addition, many homes and parks in the Rochester area have one or more lilac bushes. If you take a ride along many of the Finger Lakes, you will find thousands of them along the roadside and the sweet smell will come right through your open window.

Cornwall in Ontario, Canada boasts the “City of Lilacs” and rivals Rochester,NY in size of their collection.

Rochester, New Hampshire also calls themselves the “Lilac City”. Lilacs are the state flower.

Did You Know?

There are over 1,000 varieties of Lilacs. They come in several colours, with the most popular being the colour lilac and purple. White and pink are also popular. They also vary widely in size from the small 4 to 8 feet to types those growing up to 30 feet. So there is a variety perfect for your needs.

Bellis – Daisy and Daisy-like

Prairie Daisy

Daisies

Daisies are simple yet sophisticated and are some of the most beautiful flowers in the floral world. Daisies convey cheer and exuberance in spades. Not surprisingly, daisies are popular both for gifting and growing in gardens.

Daisies belong to the daisy family of Compositae, now known as Asteraceae in flowering plants. Daisies are native to north and central Europe.

The origin of the word Daisy is the Anglo Saxon “daes eage” which literally mean “day’s eye”. It was called this because daisies open at dawn as the day just starts to begin.

Black Eyed Susan

Kingdom – Plantae

Phylum –Anthophyta

Class – Magnoliopsida

Order –Asterales

Family – Asteraceae

Genus – Bellis

A Daisy symbolizes innocence and purity. It can also symbolize new beginnings. The flower meaning of daisy is loyal love and I will never tell.

Some Interesting Facts about Daisies

• A Daisy is a perennial whose evergreen leaves form a basal tuft or a rosette.
• Daisy flower plant has a prostrate fashion or a growing habit of spreading.
• Daisies can be propagated by division in spring or through sowing seeds in spring or late autumn.
• English Daisy is a serious weed in the northwest United States.
• The Daisy flowers open at dawn and are visited by many small insects.
• Daisies are used by children to make daisy chains.
• The Daisy’s leaves are edible and can be used in salads.

Gloriosa Daisy

About the Daisy Plant and Flower

A Daisy flower is composed of white petals and a yellow centre, although the flower can sometimes have a pink or rose color.

Daisies are not made of just one flower.

A Daisy is made up of two types of flowers – disk florets and petal-like white ray florets. The disk florets are at the center and the ray florets are at the periphery but they are arranged to give the impression of being a single flower. This arrangement on Daisies is a type of inflorescence known as a capitulum.

African Daisy

The stems of Daisies are smooth and leafless and support a single flower. Daisy plants have 3 – 4 inch flower stalks. The Daisy leaf texture varies and may be smooth or hairy, narrow at the base and slightly lobed. The Daisy flower stalks are generally longer than the leaves.

 

Varieties of Daisies

Some of the varieties of Daisies are the white Daisy-like flowers, the Spanish Daisy, Blue Daisy, Lazy Daisy or Prairie Daisy, African Daisy, Michaelmas Daisy, Swan River Daisy, Tatarian Daisy, Painted Daisy, Paris Daisy, Shasta Daisy, Crown-Daisy, Ox-eye Daisy, Nippon Oxeye Daisy, Giant Daisy, African Daisy, Kingfisher Daisy, Sunshine Daisy, Gerbera Daisy, Transvaal Daisy or Barberton Daisy, Tahoka Daisy, Livingstone Daisy, Gloriosa Daisy, Dahlberg Daisy and Butter Daisy.

 

Mountain Daisy

Painted Daisy

Gerbera

Hazy Daisy