Tropaeolum – Nasturtium

Balcony grown in a small hanging basket from seed.

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Tropaeolum /trɵˈpiːələm/, commonly known as nasturtium (/næˈstɜrʃ(i)əm/; literally “nose-twister” or “nose-tweaker”), is a genus of roughly 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It was named by Carl Linnaeus and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. The nasturtiums received their common name because they produce an oil that is similar to that of watercress (Nasturtium officinale).

The genus Tropaeolum, native to South and Central America, includes several very popular garden plants, the most commonly grown being T. majus, T. peregrinum and T. speciosum. One of the hardiest species is T. polyphyllum from Chile, the perennial roots of which can survive the winter underground at altitudes of 3,300 metres (10,000 ft).

Plants in this genus have showy, often intensely bright flowers, and rounded, peltate (shield-shaped) leaves with the petiole in the centre. The flowers are bisexual and zygomorphic, with five petals, a superior three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar spur at the back, formed by modification of one of the five sepals.

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Tropaeolaceae
Genus:	Tropaeolum L.

History

The first Tropaeolum species was imported into Spain by the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes. He published an account in 1569 entitled Joyful News out of the Newe Founde Worlde in which he described, among other things, the plants and animals discovered in South America. The English herbalist John Gerard reports having received seeds of the plant from Europe in his 1597 book Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes. Tropaeolum majus was named by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who chose the genus name because the plant reminded him of an ancient custom. After victory in battle, the Romans used to set up a trophy pole called a tropaeum (from the Greek tropaion, source of English “trophy“). On this the armour and weapons of the vanquished foe were hung. Linnaeus was reminded of this by the plant as the round leaves resembled shields and the flowers, blood-stained helmets.

Nasturtiums were once known commonly as “Indian cresses” because they were introduced from the Americas, known popularly then as the Indies, and used like cress as salad ingredients. John Gerard called the plant “Indian Cresses” in his herbal. He wrote: “unto the backe part (of the flower) doth hange a taile or spurre, such as hath the Larkes heele, called in Latine Consolida regalis. He was comparing the flowers of Indian cress to those of forking larkspur (Consolida regalis) of the buttercup family. J R R Tolkien commented that an alternative anglicization of the name was “nasturtian” rather than “nasturtium”.

Description

Tropaeolum is a genus of dicotyledonous annual or perennial plants, often with somewhat succulent stems and sometimes tuberous roots. The alternate leaves are hairless, peltate and entire or palmately lobed. The petioles or leaf stalks are long and in many species are able to twine round other stems to provide support. The flowers are bisexual and showy, set singly on long stalks in the axils of the leaves. They have five sepals, the uppermost of which is elongated into a nectar spur. The five petals are clawed, with the lower three unlike the upper two. The eight stamens are in two whorls of unequal length and the superior ovary has three segments and three stigmas on a single style. The fruit is naked and nut-like, with three single seed segments.

Tropaeolum tuberosum

The most common flower in cultivation is a hybrid of T. majus, T. minus and T. peltophorum, and is commonly known as the nasturtium (and occasionally anglicized as nasturtian). It is mostly grown from seed as a half-hardy annual and both single and double varieties are available. It comes in a range of forms and colours including cream, yellow, orange and red, solid in colour or striped and often with a dark blotch at the base of the petals. It is vigorous and easily grown and does well in sun. It thrives in poor soil and dry conditions, whereas in rich soil it tends to produce much leafy growth and few flowers. Some varieties adopt a bush form while others scramble over and through other plants and are useful for planting in awkward spots or for covering fences and trellises.

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society‘s Award of Garden Merit:

• ‘Alaska Series’
• ‘Hermine Grashoff’
• ‘Whirlybird Series’

The blue nasturtium (Tropaeolum azureum) is a tender species from Chile which has violet-blue flowers with white eyes that can be as much as 4 cm (1.6 in) across

Tropaeolum brachyceras has 2.5 cm (1 in) yellow flowers with purplish markings on wiry, climbing stems. It is a half hardy perennial from Chile and may remain dormant for several years before being sparked into growth by some unknown trigger factor.

Tropaeolum hookerianum is a tuberous-rooted species from Chile. There are two subspecies, T. h. austropurpureum which has violet-purple flowers and T. h. pilosum with yellow flowers.

The Canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum) is a trailing and climbing half-hardy annual species with wiry stalks and palmately lobed leaves. The pale yellow, fringed flowers are borne on long stalks. It originated from Peru but may first have been cultivated in the Canary Islands before being introduced into Western Europe.

Wreath nasturtium (Tropaeolum polyphyllum) is a prostrate plant originating from Argentina and Chile. It has silvery, deeply lobed leaves and a profusion of small, bright yellow flowers on long trailing stalks. After flowering, the plant dies back. It is a perennial with underground rhizomes which send up new shoots at intervals. In a suitable sunny location with well drained soil, it will survive for several years. It is a very hardy species; the tubers can grow at depths of 60 cm (24 in) enabling the plant to survive at altitudes of as much as 3,300 metres (10,000 ft) in the Andes.

The flame flower (Tropaeolum speciosum) is well adapted to cool, moist climates and notoriously does well in Scotland. It sends up shoots which thread their way through hedges and shrubs and which, when they emerge into the light, bear brilliant red flowers among small, five or six-lobed leaves. It is difficult to establish but is an attractive garden plant when it thrives. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Three-coloured Indian cress (Tropaeolum tricolor) is another tuberous, climbing species grown for its attractive red, purple and yellow tubular flowers. It comes from Chile and Bolivia and is a reliable winter-growing species.

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) is a perennial climbing plant from the Andes grown for its tuberous roots. It has been cultivated since ancient times and depictions of it are found at archaeological sites pre-dating the Incas. It has leaves with five to seven lobes and small, long-spurred, red and yellow flowers. The tubers have an unpleasant smell when raw which disappears on cooking. It is frost-hardy and produces crops of 30 tons per hectare at a height of 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level. The cultivar T. tuberosum lineamaculatum ‘Ken Aslet’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Species that originated from the coastal areas and from the lower foothills make most of their growth in winter whereas the true alpine species are summer growers. Tuberous Tropaeolum species are well known for occasionally remaining dormant for one or more years. The species with underground rhizomes and tubers can be propagated from these while other species are best raised from seed. Fresh seed is favoured by many growers but dried seed is also often successful. Seed from the winter growing species should be sown in the autumn while the summer growing species are best sown in the spring in well-drained compost and covered with 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of grit or sand. The containers should be kept at below 4 °C (39 °F) until the seedlings appear in about a month, as too high a temperature inhibits germination.

Uses

Culinary

All parts of T. majus are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress, and is also used in stir fry. The flowers contain about 130 mg vitamin C per 100 grams (3.5 oz)^] about the same amount as is contained in parsley.

Moreover, they contain up to 45 mg of lutein per 100 gr, which is the highest amount found in any edible plant. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.

Mashua (T. tuberosum) produces an edible underground tuber that is a major food source in parts of the Andes.

Herbal medicine

Nasturtiums have been used in herbal medicine for their antiseptic and expectorant qualities. They are said to be good for chest colds and to promote the formation of new blood cells. T. majus has been used in herbal medicine for respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Taxonomy

Tropaeolum was previously placed in the family Tropaeolaceae along with two other genera, Magallan and Trophaeastrum. The monotypic genus Magallan was characterised by having winged fruit, and the two species of Trophaeastrum lacked spurs. The genus Tropaeolum was diagnosed only by the absence of the characteristics of the other two genera. A molecular study undertaken in 2000 found Tropaeolum to be paraphyletic when the other two genera are segregated, so Magallan and Trophaeastrum were reduced to synonyms of Tropaeolum. Tropaeolaceae was thus rendered monogeneric, a family of only one genus.

Species

“The Plant List”, a collaboration between the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew includes the following accepted names of Tropaeolum species names. Some that are under review, are here marked “U”.

Tropaeolum adpressum Tropaeolum albiflorum – U Tropaeolum argentinum Tropaeolum asplundii Tropaeolum atrocapillare Tropaeolum atrosanguineum – U Tropaeolum azureum Tropaeolum beuthii Tropaeolum bicolor Tropaeolum bogotense – U Tropaeolum boliviense – U Tropaeolum brachyceras Tropaeolum brasiliense Tropaeolum brideanum Tropaeolum buchenavianum – U Tropaeolum calcaratum Tropaeolum calvum Tropaeolum capillare Tropaeolum carchense Tropaeolum ciliatum Tropaeolum cirrhipes Tropaeolum cochabambae Tropaeolum concavum Tropaeolum concinneum – U Tropaeolum canariense Tropaeolum crenatiflorum Tropaeolum cubio – U Tropaeolum curvirostre – U Tropaeolum cuspidatum Tropaeolum dawei – U Tropaeolum deckerianum Tropaeolum denticualtum – U

Tropaeolum dicolorum – U Tropaeolum dipetalum Tropaeolum elzae – U Tropaeolum emarginatum Tropaeolum ferreyrae Tropaeolum fintelmannii Tropaeolum flavipilum – U Tropaeolum garciae – U Tropaeolum harlingii Tropaeolum hayneanum Tropaeolum hirsutum – U Tropaeolum hirtifolium – U Tropaeolum hjertingii Tropaeolum hookerianum – U Tropaeolum hughesae – U Tropaeolum huigrense Tropaeolum incisum Tropaeolum integrifolium – U Tropaeolum jarrattii – U Tropaeolum jilesii Tropaeolum karstenii – U Tropaeolum kerneisinum Tropaeolum killipii – U Tropaeolum kingii Tropaeolum klotzschii – U Tropaeolum kuntzeanum Tropaeolum lasseri Tropaeolum lehmannii – U Tropaeolum leichtlinii – U Tropaeolum leonis Tropaeolum leptophyllum Tropaeolum lindenii – U Tropaeolum longiflorum

Tropaeolum longifolium – U Tropaeolum looseri Tropaeolum macrophyllum – U Tropaeolum maculifolium – U Tropaeolum magnificum Tropaeolum majus Tropaeolum marginatum Tropaeolum menispermifolium Tropaeolum mexiae – U Tropaeolum meyeri Tropaeolum minus Tropaeolum moritzianum Tropaeolum morreanum – U Tropaeolum myriophyllum Tropaeolum naudinii – U Tropaeolum nuptae-jucundae Tropaeolum orinocense Tropaeolum orthoceras – U Tropaeolum oxalidanthum – U Tropaeolum papillosum Tropaeolum parvifolium – U Tropaeolum pellucidum – U Tropaeolum peltophorum Tropaeolum pendulum Tropaeolum pentagonum Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Tropaeolum peregrinum Tropaeolum polyphyllum Tropaeolum popelari – U Tropaeolum porifolium Tropaeolum pubescens Tropaeolum purpureum

Tropaeolum reichianum – U Tropaeolum reineckeanum – U Tropaeolum repandum – U Tropaeolum rhizophorum – U Tropaeolum rhomboideum Tropaeolum sanctae-catharinae Tropaeolum scheuerianum – U Tropaeolum schillingii – U Tropaeolum schlimii – U Tropaeolum seemannii Tropaeolum sessilifolium Tropaeolum smithii Tropaeolum sparrei – U Tropaeolum speciosum Tropaeolum steyermarkianum Tropaeolum stipulatum Tropaeolum tenellum – U Tropaeolum tenuirostre – U Tropaeolum traceyae – U Tropaeolum trialatum Tropaeolum trialatum Tropaeolum tricolor Tropaeolum tricolori-brachyceras – U Tropaeolum trilobum Tropaeolum trilobum Tropaeolum tuberosum Tropaeolum umbellatum Tropaeolum unilobatum – U Tropaeolum wagnerianum Tropaeolum warmingianum Tropaeolum warscewiczii – U Tropaeolum willinkii

Ranunculus – Buttercup etc.

Ranunculus /ræˈnʌŋkjʊləs/is a large genus of about 600 species of plants in the Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus include the buttercups, spearworts, water crowfoots and the lesser celandine.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus

They are mostly herbaceous perennials with bright yellow or white flowers (if white, still with a yellow centre); some are annuals or biennials. A few species have orange or red flowers. There are usually five petals, but sometimes six, numerous, or none, as in R. auricomus. The petals are often highly lustrous, especially in yellow species. Buttercups usually flower in the spring, but flowers may be found throughout the summer, especially where the plants are growing as opportunistic colonizers, as in the case of garden weeds.

The Water crowfoots (Ranunculus subgenus Batrachium), which grow in still or running water, are sometimes treated in a separate genus Batrachium (from Greek batrachos βάτραχος: frog, etymology comparable to ranunculus itself). They have two different leaf types, thread-like leaves underwater and broader floating leaves. In some species, such as R. aquatilis, a third, intermediate leaf type occurs.

Ranunculus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Hebrew Character and Small Angle Shades. Some species are popular ornamental flowers in horticulture, with many cultivars selected for large and brightly coloured flowers

Naming

The name Ranunculus is Late Latin for “little frog,” from rana “frog” and a diminutive ending. This probably refers to many species being found near water, like frogs.

The name buttercup may derive from a false belief that the plants give butter its characteristic yellow hue (in fact it is poisonous to cows and other livestock). A popular children’s game involves holding a buttercup up to the chin; a yellow reflection is supposed to indicate fondness for butter.

In the interior of the Pacific Northwest of the United States the buttercup is called “Coyote’s eyes” — ʔiceyéeyenm sílu in Nez Perce and spilyaynmí áčaš in Sahaptin. In the legend Coyote was tossing his eyes up in the air and catching them again when Eagle snatched them. Unable to see, Coyote made eyes from the buttercup.^{[citation needed]}

Splitting of the genus

Molecular investigation of the genus has revealed that Ranunculus is not monophyletic with respect to a number of other recognized genera in the family – e.g. Ceratocephala, Halerpestes, Hamadryas, Laccopetalum, Myosurus, Oxygraphis, Paroxygraphis and Trautvetteria. A proposal to split Ranunculus into several genera have thus been published in a new classification for the tribe Ranunculeae. The split (and often re-recognized) genera include Arcteranthis Greene, Beckwithia Jeps., Callianthemoides Tamura, Coptidium (Prantl) Beurl. ex Rydb., Cyrtorhyncha Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray, Ficaria Guett., Krapfia DC., Kumlienia E.Greene and Peltocalathos Tamura.

Toxicity

All Ranunculus species are poisonous when eaten fresh by cattle, horses, and other livestock, but their acrid taste and the blistering of the mouth caused by their poison means they are usually left uneaten. Poisoning can occur where buttercups are abundant in overgrazed fields where little other edible plant growth is left, and the animals eat them out of desperation. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, excessive salivation, colic, and severe blistering of the mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. When Ranunculus plants are handled, naturally occurring ranunculin is broken down to form protoanemonin, which is known to cause contact dermatitis in humans and care should therefore be exercised in extensive handling of the plants.    The toxins are degraded by drying, so hay containing dried buttercups is safe.

Selected species list

• Ranunculus abortivus – littleleaf buttercup
• Ranunculus aconitifolius – aconite-leaf buttercup
• Ranunculus acraeus – a newly described species from Otago, New Zealand
• Ranunculus acris – meadow buttercup
• Ranunculus alismifolius – plantainleaf buttercup
• Ranunculus andersonii – Anderson’s buttercup
• Ranunculus aquatilis – common water crowfoot
• Ranunculus arvensis – corn buttercup
• Ranunculus asiaticus – Persian buttercup
• Ranunculus auricomus – Goldilocks buttercup (type species)
• Ranunculus biternatus – Antarctic buttercup
• Ranunculus bonariensis – Carter’s buttercup
• Ranunculus bulbosus – bulbous buttercup
• Ranunculus calandrinioides – high alpine buttercup
• Ranunculus californicus – California buttercup
• Ranunculus canus – Sacramento Valley buttercup
• Ranunculus cassubicus – Kashubian buttercup
• Ranunculus crassipes – subantarctic buttercup
• Ranunculus cymbalaria – marsh buttercup
• Ranunculus eschscholtzii – alpine buttercup
• Ranunculus ficaria – lesser celandine
• Ranunculus flabellaris – yellow water buttercup
• Ranunculus flammula – lesser spearwort
• Ranunculus fluitans – river water crowfoot
• Ranunculus glaberrimus – sagebrush buttercup
• Ranunculus glacialis – glacier buttercup
• Ranunculus gormanii – Gorman’s buttercup
• Ranunculus hebecarpus – delicate buttercup
• Ranunculus hispidus – bristly buttercup
• Ranunculus hydrocharoides – frogbit buttercup
• Ranunculus jovis – Utah buttercup
• Ranunculus kadzusensis – makino, maehwamarum
• Ranunculus lapponicus – Lapland buttercup
• Ranunculus lingua – greater spearwort
• Ranunculus lobbii – Lobb’s buttercup
• Ranunculus longirostris – water buttercup
• Ranunculus lyallii – Mount Cook lily, reputedly the largest buttercup
• Ranunculus macounii – Macoun’s buttercup
• Ranunculus micranthus – small-flowered crowfoot
• Ranunculus moseleyi – Moseley’s buttercup
• Ranunculus muricatus – spinyfruit buttercup
• Ranunculus occidentalis – western buttercup
• Ranunculus orthorhynchus – straightbeak buttercup
• Ranunculus papulentus – large river buttercup
• Ranunculus parviflorus – smallflower buttercup
• Ranunculus pedatifidus – birdfoot buttercup
• Ranunculus peltatus – pond water crowfoot
• Ranunculus pensylvanicus – Pennsylvania buttercup
• Ranunculus platanifolius – large white buttercup
• Ranunculus populago – popular buttercup
• Ranunculus pusillus – low spearwort
• Ranunculus pygmaeus – pygmy buttercup
• Ranunculus recurvatus – hooked crowfoot
• Ranunculus repens – creeping buttercup
• Ranunculus rionii – water crowfoot
• Ranunculus sardous – hairy buttercup, Sardinian buttercup
• Ranunculus sceleratus – celery-leaved buttercup
• Ranunculus septentrionalis – swamp buttercup
• Ranunculus sieboldii
• Ranunculus testiculatus – bur buttercup
• Ranunculus thora – Thora buttercup
• Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix ex Vill. – Thora buttercup
• Ranunculus uncinatus – woodland buttercup

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.

Petunia

Botanical name: Petunia

Plant type: Flower

Sun exposure: Full Sun

Flower color: Red, Pink, Yellow, Purple, White

Bloom time: Spring, Summer, Fall

Petunias are one of the most popular type of annual. They are divided into two different groups: Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage), and Multiflora petunias have smaller, but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).

Planting

• You can grow petunias from seeds, but it is easier to grow them from transplants. If you are going to grow from seeds, start them indoors 10 to 12 weeks before you want to set them outside. Petunia seeds are very small and needs lots of light in order to germinate. Remember to water them. When the plants have three leaves, you can plant them outside.
• It’s best to buy transplants and plant them in light, well-drained soil in full sun after the last spring frost. Petunias can grow in partial shade, but they will have fewer flowers. It’s better if the plants have shelter from the wind.
• Space the plants about 1 foot apart.
• If you’re planting petunias in containers, use a soil-less mix.

Care

• Petunias are tolerant of heat so you don’t have to water them regularly. A thorough watering once a week should be sufficient (unless there are prolonged periods of drought in your area). The spreading types and those in containers require more frequent watering though.
• Fertilize your plants monthly to ensure good growth. Double-flowered cultivars like a biweekly dose of fertilizer.
• Remove faded/dead flowers to prolong blooming.

Pests

• Aphids
• Caterpillars
• Leaf miners
• Gray mold
• Bacterial soft rot
• Leaf spots
• Viruses

Recommended Varieties

• Carpet Series, which is ideal for a ground cover and offers a wide variety of colors
• Sugar Daddy (Petunia Daddy Series), which sports purple flowers with dark veins.
• Rose Star (Petunia Ultra Series), whose flowers look striped because of its rose-pink flowers with a white cenBotanical name: Petunia

  Plant type: Flower

  Sun exposure: Full Sun

  Flower color: Red, Pink, Yellow, Purple, White

  Bloom time: Spring, Summer, Fall

  

Calendula

Calendula officinalis
Cultivar

Calendula (common name: pot marigold) is a genus of plants that belong to the family Asteraceae. There are about 20 species of plants that come under the genus Calendula. Calendula is herbaceous, in the sense that the leaves and the stem above the level of the soil die at the end of the growing season.

Some species of calendula die in one year (annual). Some other species live more than two years (perennial). The genus is native to the region stretching eastward from Macaronesia (a group of islands in the North Atlantic around the Europe-North Africa region) to Iran, with the whole Mediterranean region in between.

Its common name marigold is likely to owe its origin to the Virgin Mary. Gardening connoisseurs consider the marigold to be one of the best flowers that can be grown in a garden because they are rugged and not at all finicky about where they grow. However, the ideal location for their growth is a sunny place with a soil rich in substances favorable to plant growth and that is well-drained.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Tribe

Calenduleae

Genus

Calendula

Facts about Calendula

• Calendula (marigold) grows well in all seasons except in very coldest climates.
• Marigolds propagate by means of seeds.
• Different marigolds have different colors. African marigolds have a color different from the French marigolds.
• Pot marigolds are grown as herbs. Marigolds are thought to be edible and they are used to naturally color salads.
• Marigolds are eaten by certain species of insects and the flowers need to be protected if you are growing them.

Growing tips

• Sow seeds in spring. The seeds germinate easily in sunny and half-sunny locations.
• Maintain a distance of 10 inches between the seeds.
• The plants will begin flowering in June and will continue till late fall/ winter when the frost kills them.
• The seeds ripen in late summer and the scattering of seeds will result in a fresh brood of plants in the spring.

is widely used to treat skin problems, rashes – made into a cream or poultice, additional facts: Planet Botanic Calendula Facts

Calendula, easy to grow, self seeding, yellow to orange.

two yellow Calendula