Sunday, October 27, 2013

Topics about PINE TREES

More than 100 different types of pine trees are currently known to the world, with 35 different varieties grown in the United States. Pine trees are an important part of the vegetation in North America, growing widely in popularity as an ornamental tree. Different types of pine trees are planted for both shade and appearance, depending upon the tree's potential growth.


Pine trees can reach over 60 feet in height and spread up to 30 feet across. They are the only 
species of tree to reproduce from seeds in a cone. Most pine trees can grow anywhere and in any type of soil. Full sun is required, but very little water is needed once they are full grown.
Some of the most commonly known species of pine trees are the Sugar Pines, White Pine Trees, Long Leaf Pine, Shortleaf Pine, Bristlecone Pine, Red Pine and the Foxtail Pine.

 

 
In 2008, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine was determined to be the oldest known pine tree at 4,840 years old.
 

The pine tree is just one member of the big tree family known as conifers. Conifers are trees that produce cones that contain the seeds that grow more trees. These trees have names like Eastern white pine, Virginia pine and Scotch pine.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

More Topics about PANSY

The Pansy is a large group of hybrid plants cultivated as garden flowers. Pansies are derived from Viola species Viola tricolor hybridized with other viola species, these hybrids are referred to as Viola × wittrockiana or less commonly Viola tricolor hortensis. The name "pansy" also appears as part of the common name for other Viola species that are wildflowers in Europe. Some unrelated species, such as the Pansy Monkeyflower, also have "pansy" in their name.

 The pansy flower is two to three inches in diameter and has two slightly overlapping upper petals, two side petals, and a single bottom petal with a slight beard emanating from the flower's center. The flower has been produced in a wide range of colors and bicolor. The plant may grow to nine inches in height, and prefers sun to varying degrees and well-draining soils. Pansies are biennials, but are purchased at garden centers in their second year of growth and treated as annuals by the home gardener. They are subjected to devastation by aphids, snails, and slugs, and several diseases, mostly fungal. They do not perform well in hot, muggy weather.


Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennett brought the pansy to the attention of gardeners in the early years of the 19th century after cultivating every sort of V. tricolor she could procure in her father's garden at Walton-upon-Thames. V. tricolor has known many names in the English-speaking world including heartsease, love in idleness, and flower of Jove, but the name pansy is derived from the French, Pensée ...(thought), and was bestowed upon the plant for its resemblance to a pensive human face. The pansy has attracted the attention of poets and artists including William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The flower is a recurring motif in cultural artifacts such as embroidery designs and greeting cards.
In the early years of the 19th century, Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet (1785–1861), daughter of the Lord of Tanker Ville, collected and cultivated every sort of Viola tricolor (commonly, heartsease) she could procure in her father's garden at Walton-upon-Thames, Surrey. Under the supervision of her gardener, William Richardson, a large variety of plants was produced via cross-breeding. In 1812, she introduced her pansies to the horticultural world, and, in 1813, Mr. Lee, a well-known florist and nurseryman, further cultivated the flower. Other nurserymen followed Lee's example, and the pansy became a favorite among the public.
About the same time that Lady Bennett was busy cultivating heartsease, James, Lord Gambier was doing the same in his garden at Iver under the advice and guidance of his gardener Thomson. A yellow viola, Viola lutea, and a wide-petalled pale yellow species of Russian origin, Viola altaica were among the crosses that laid the foundation for the new hybrids classed as Viola x Wittrockiana. A round flower of overlapping petals was the aim of early trials; in the late 1830s a chance sport that no longer had narrow nectar guides of dark color on the petals but a broad dark blotch on the petals (which came to be called the "face"), was found. It was developed in Gambier's garden and released to the public in 1839 with the name "Medora". By 1833,
  there were 400 named pansies available to gardeners who once considered its progenitor, heartsease, a weed. Specific guidelines were formulated for Show Pansies but amateur gardeners preferred the less demanding Fancy Pansies. About this time, James Grieve developed the viola and Dr. Charles Stuart developed the violetta, both smaller, more compact plants than the pansy.
 
 
 
 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Gentianella means "dwarf gentian"

 Gentianella means "dwarf gentian"-- today's species reaches only 10cm (4in.) tall. The centre of diversity for the genus is South America, though the two hundred plus species are distributed throughout most temperate regions of the world. Gentianella hirculus is considered endangered by the IUCN Red List, with only 12 populations of plants remaining in the wild. Threats include grazing and, paradoxically, visitors to the park where most (all?) plants reside.

Gentianella means "dwarf gentian"

Gentianella hirculus is a species of plant in the Gentianaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrub land and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.


 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Brugmansia

Brugmansia  ~ Is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit.

Brugmansia are most often grown today as flowering ornamental plants.
In modern medicine, important alkaloids such as scopolomine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, found in Brugmansia and other related members of Solanaceae, have proven medical value for their spasmolytic, anti-asthmatic, anticholinergic, narcotic and anesthetic properties, although many of these alkaloids, or their equivalents, are now artificially synthesized.
Brugmansia have also traditionally been used in many South American indigenous cultures in medical preparations and as a ritualistic hallucinogen for divination, to communicate with ancestors, as a poison in sorcery and black magic, and for prophecy. Medicinally, they have mostly been used externally as part of a poultice, tincture, ointment, or where the leaves are directly applied transdermally to the skin. External uses include the treating of aches and pains, dermatitis, orchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, headaches, infections, and as an anti-inflammatory. They have been used internally much more rarely due to the inherent danger of ingestion. Internal uses, in highly diluted preparations, and often as a portion of a larger mix, include treatments for stomach and muscle ailments, as a decongestant, to induce vomiting, to expel worms and parasites, and as a sedative. In a concentrated or refined form, derivatives of Brugmansia are also used for murder, seduction, and robbery.
Several South American cultures have used Brugmansia as a treatment for unruly children, that they might be admonished directly by their ancestors in the spirit world, and thereby become more compliant. Mixed with maize beer and tobacco leaves, it has been used to drug wives and slaves before they were buried alive with their dead lord.
All parts of Brugmansia are poisonous, with the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous!
Effects of ingestion can include paralysis of smooth muscles, confusion, tachycardia, dry mouth, diarrhea, migraine headaches, visual and auditory hallucinations, mydriasis, rapid onset cycloplegia, and death.
Some municipalities prohibit the purchase, sale, or cultivation of Brugmansia plants.
 
 

Monday, October 14, 2013

~❉~CASABLANCA LILLIES ~❉~

Casablanca Lily Meaning
As per the general symbolism of flowers, the meaning of Casablanca lilies is celebration. There is no wonder that pure white Casablanca lilies are used in nearly all special occasions.
 
Casablanca lilies along with many other beautiful blooms belong to the lily family. Developed as a hybrid of the oriental lilies, they are well-known for their magnificent blooms and irresistible fragrance. When maintained under favorable growth conditions required for the variety, a fully opened Casablanca bloom measures to about 10 inch in diameter.

Identification

Speaking about the appearance of Casablanca lilies, they resemble the shape of a trumpet. There are six white petals, each of which is lined with tiny dots at the centerline. At the center of the lily, bright red stamens spring out that create a unique color pattern. Provided that you select the bigger blooms, only 3 - 4 flowers are required to make a beautiful bouquet or centerpiece for any special occasion. Regarding the plant, it grows to about 4 feet in height.

Care

Mention some of the popularly used elegant wedding flowers and you just can't ignore Casablanca blooms. They are very common in the floral industry and florist centers. If you order Casablanca lilies, the florist will deliver them when they are still in the bud stage. In a stem, there are 3 or more blooms. Allow the flowering twigs to stand erect in a spacious vase. Maintain the container in a cool and dark place, and your lilies will open within 1 - 2 days. Misting the petals will give that fresh look to these white lilies.

Meaning

For flower lovers, reading through the language of flowers is something very interesting. Imagine if you get to know 'what is the meaning of a Casablanca lily' or 'what does that fragile daisy flower denotes', you will have the privilege to send such beautiful blooms in appropriate occasions. As far as the symbolic meaning of Casablanca lily is concerned, it reveals celebration. Unlike other flowers that are associated with more than one meanings, Casablanca is unique with a single accepted meaning.

Casablanca Lily Bulbs

Casablanca lilies are grown from bulbs and tubers. They are easy to grow and require moderate care level. Coming to the plantation site, areas that come under USDA hardiness zones 5 - 9 are suited for planting these lilies. You can grow the bulbs in warm sunlit areas and moist soil. For colder climatic conditions, a thick layered mulching is crucial to minimize damage to the roots. With correct growing tips, Casablanca lilies bloom from spring to late summer.

If you have a passion for gardening, do not miss the chance of enjoying beautiful Casablanca lilies in your flower garden. The intoxicating fragrance in the garden will also catch the attention of passerby. What else would you ask for; you can cut the flowers and decorate your room by placing them in an attractive vase. This way, your rooms will be filled with the sweet aroma of Casablanca blooms. Or else, cut the stalks at a uniform length and arrange them to make a beautiful Casablanca lily bouquet.
 

 
 

Blue Mist Flower - Bartlettina Sordida.

The cloud forests of Mexico are home to many rare gems, like the spectacular Blue Mist Flower - Bartlettina Sordida.  This unusual shrub makes massive clusters of fuzzy, bluish-lilac flowers - like big, fluffy pom-poms! The attractive leaves are equally large, growing as big as dinner plates! The plant is very rare in cultivation, usually only seen in botanical gardens. It does best in moderate temperatures and might not thrive in hot climates.

Blue Mist Flower - Bartlettina Sordida