~❉~ Daisy Flower Meaning ~❉~

As per flower symbolism, the accepted meaning of a daisy is purity and innocence. You will also come across other meanings of daisy flower in different sources. Read on to learn more regarding daisy flower types, meaning and facts.

African Daisy

The name daisy is derived from the words 'day's eyes', owing to the fact that this star-shaped flower opens during the daytime and closes at night. The floral language or flower meaning has evolved many generations, so is the meaning of daisy flower. In this article, we will try to learn different types of daisies, daisy flower meaning, and interesting facts about this lovely bloom.

 

 

Daisy Flower Types
Daisies belong to the family Asteraceae (sunflower family), which is the largest group of flowering plants. As of date, more than 12,000 species of daisy with different flower color, size, and shape are identified. Some are naturally adapted in wild pastures and woodlands, while other varieties are grown in home gardens for aesthetic purposes. Popular types of daisy flowers are given below.
Common or English daisy (Bellis perennis)
Gerbera daisy
Blue daisy
Prairie daisy (or lazy daisy)
African daisy
Zulu princess daisy
White button daisy
Shasta daisy
Giant daisy
Sunshine daisy
Painted daisy
Marguerite daisy
Gloriosa daisy
Daisy Flower Meaning

Who said flowers cannot speak, they silently exchange thoughts better than verbal communication. Whether grown in wild or planted in flower gardens, a daisy flower has long been appreciated for its simple beauty. Like every flower known to us, this delicate bloom has a meaning of its own. And the amazing part about daisy bloom is that meanings gathered from different sources are all optimistic. But the most accepted daisy meaning is purity and innocence. In some sources, you will also find the meaning of daisy flower as loyal love, patience, beauty, and even 'secrecy between two persons'.

In earlier days, maidens wore daisy flowers to decorate their hair, which symbolized simplicity and innocence of youth. Also, there was a time when a daisy flower gifted by a maiden was considered a sign of affection and respectable gesture. Till today, the daisy bloom is used to express the language of love in a special way. It is commonly related to the fifth wedding anniversary and also, a bouquet of daisies is given to a new mother to welcome the newborn baby. No wonder, lovers have also gifted daisies to each other as a token of their undying love!

Daisy Flower Facts
The peak blooming season for daisies is summer, when thundershower occurs very often. Hence, this perennial flower is also known as 'thunder flower' in some regions.
Daisy plants are propagated either by cuttings or from seeds. The former is carried out in spring, while the daisy seeds are best sown in late autumn or spring.
Daisy plant exhibits a spreading or prostrate growth habit. The flower stalks are about 3 - 4 inch long, which is more than the leaf length.
A perennial plant by nature, dark green daisy leaves are arranged in a rosette like fashion to the main stem and they beautify the garden even in off blooming season. The foliage is edible too.
In a daisy bloom, there are two types of flowers - ray florets (colorful petal like flowers that occupy the peripheral portion) and disc florets (small flowers arranged in the center).
The variety, English daisy is often found growing in wild habitat. In the northwest United States, it is considered an invasive weed that requires timely control.
It is believed that daisy flower prevents lightning. Hence, some people grow and maintain daisies as indoor plants.
So, this information was all about daisy flower. You can grow daisies in your garden to enjoy the vivid colored, star-shaped blooms. Do not miss a chance to gift this delicate bloom to your beloved ones and express your genuine feeling for them!

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/daisy-flower-meaning.html

Six Air Purifying House Plants

6 Air Purifying House Plants that Clean Your Air:

1. Bamboo Palm ~ According to NASA, it removes formaldahyde and is also act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant ~ Found by NASA to absorb Nitrogen Oxides and Formaldahyde,

3. Areca Palm ~ One of the best purifying plants for general air cleanliness,

4. Spider Plant ~ Great indoor plant for removing Carbon Monoxide and other toxins and other impurities. spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air,

5. Peace Lily ~ Peace lilies could be the ''Clean All''. They often placed in bathrooms and laundry rooms because they're knpwn for removing mold spores. Also known to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy ~ Not only these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from air, they're known to improve sleep by absorbing Carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen overnight.

for more info visit this link:  http://bit.ly/10JqSAR

CALLA LILY ... CONTINUATION

The original Calla lily meaning of “magnificent beauty” originated from the Greek Goddess, Hera.










The Black Magic bouquet is a trendy bunch of Black Calla Lilies that are so eye catching as they look different each time the light catches them. They change from shades of deep red, burgundy and rich purple. They are very fashionable and are perfect for the more contemporary home.

At funerals, the Calla lily meaning is not only for beauty and sorrow, but for it’s long lasting lifespan. The Calla lily lasts between 4-8 days if they are cared for properly. By placing them in a small vase full of water, they will last the maximum amount of days, giving you the satisfaction and long lasting beauty you were looking for. When placed upon a grave, the fresh air and natural sunlight will also help the flower to last the maximum amount of days and provide a beautiful floral piece to your loved ones grave site.

Since the days of ancient Rome the Calla Lily has been treasured as a flower of celebration. First cherished as a celebration of light, then a funeral flower, in today’s world the Calla Lily has become one of the most desired flowers brides use to celebrate their wedding day. It is associated with the lily as a symbol of purity and as such, these spectacular flowers are beginning to rival the rose... in popularity for bridal bouquets. The Calla Lily, originally from the continent of Africa, is rich with history, and it is an elegant and colorful flower to enjoy on any occasion. Either as a cut flower, or in your garden, the Calla Lily’s bloom is a show-stopper, and its wide range of colors make it a special flower to enjoy.

 

 

 Whether you will be in need of wedding flowers or sympathy flowers in the near future, a bouquet of fresh Calla Lilies in your home or office can brighten anyone’s day. The ancient Romans knew it as a special flower and appreciated it. Today, as it did for the Romans, the Calla Lily is a thing of timeless beauty that excels in celebration of weddings, sympathy or to bring light into one’s life and celebrate the joy of living.
The green calla lily is considered to be the most exotic of all the colors that these lilies come in. These look more like a plant than a flower, resembling an aloe plant. They will sometimes have green edges leading down to a white middle or visa versa. These Calla lilies have been nick named the Green Goddess.

    

CALLA LILY

The Calla Lily is also known as the arum lily, pig lily, tantalizing water dragon and the trumpet lily. This particular flower is native to South Africa and grows in late spring due to the warming of the atmosphere. The Calla lily has a variety of different meanings around the world, but remains beautiful and worthy to all cultures and religions. The original Calla lily meaning of “magnificent beauty” originated from the Greek Goddess, Hera. A beautiful, famous and well established goddess.

The Calla Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica, is often called the white or common arum lily. Although most often referred to as Calla “Lily,” the calla is not related to true lilies (genus Lilium) or to the lily family. The Calla is an arum and closely related to houseplants such as the philodendron, spathiphyllum, pothos, monstera, and caladium. In the wild, the Calla Lily prefers marshy areas. One of its closest relatives is the Skunk Cabbage, which also prefers a marsh environment, and is one of the most abundant and earliest-blooming northern wildflowers. Some varieties of Calla Lilies are fragrant, though thankfully, they do not share the pungent odor of the Skunk Cabbage!

 

To the Romans, this particular lily was associated with funerals and placed upon individuals graves that died at a young age. The Calla Lily meaning was also know for lust and sexuality to the Romans as well. The greatest meaning to be known of the Calla lily, is by the Minoans and the Christian religions. The flower was sacred to the Minoans and seen as a symbol of purity and chastity to the Christians. Today this type of lily is used at a large variety of venues including weddings and funerals. The power that the Calla Lily holds amongst many civilizations/religions is beautiful, rare and unlike no other.

 

 

At weddings, the Calla lily is placed among tables, fences or even in a beautiful bouquet held by the bride. As this flower means magnificent beauty, it holds a very special position at weddings around the world. With a white wedding, the Calla lily fits perfectly with the beautiful bride and venue set up. The aroma that this flower gives off is fresh and powerful, giving the venue a comforting feel for all its guests.

 

 

CROTON PLANT

Croton Plant
 
Growing Croton Plants Indoors
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum pictum



Croton, plants stiff, leathery leaves in
 bold colors of yellow, pink, red, orange and green make it a beautiful and popular house plant. Another common name for croton plant is Joseph's Coat.
The croton plant (shown at left) is one of the most dramatic we've seen. Warm tropical colors and exotic lobed leaves make it a beautiful addition to any brightly lit room.
Give them space. If you bought a container that has 2 or 3 plants in it (which is fairly common), keep them together for the first year or so. When the plants seem crowded, give them the space they need by separating them. Divide the plants by carefully cutting through their roots with a serrated knife, then pot each plant in its own container.
Crotons are not easy to please. The keys to success are plenty of sunshine, a warm, draft-free environment, moist soil, and humid air. Dry air and soil will cause croton leaves to fall off.
Too tall? Top them. The plants are naturally bushy, so they shouldn't need pruning. If they get too big, you can cut them back in spring and propagate the stem cuttings.

To repot...or not? Repot in spring, moving to a pot only 1 size larger. You can control croton plant's size by keeping it in the same container, so that its roots are confined. When the plant reaches the size you want, top-dress annually instead.

Are croton plants poisonous? Oh, yes. A member of the Euphorbia family, this plant has poisonous sap. Don't be afraid of crotons, but take some precautions. Keep croton away from children and pets and wear gloves while handling it.

Caring for Croton Plants

 Origin: Pacific Islands, Malaysia,
Northern Australia

Height: To 3 ft. (90 cm)
Light: Bright light and at least 3 hours of direct sun each day.
Water: Keep soil mix evenly moist with tepid water.
Humidity: High humidity. Mist daily if possible. Stand the plant on a tray of wet pebbles.
Temperature: Warm 65-85°F/18-29°C
Soil: Peat moss based potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks from early spring through summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Take stem cuttings in spring and dip in rooting hormone before inserting in a half-half mix of sand and peat moss. Croton cuttings root in about a month.

Anthurium Plant

Anthurium Plant, also known as tail flower, is especially colorful from spring through fall. Anthurium flowers are long-lasting, and newer cultivars will bloom almost year-round.
The glossy red, heart-shaped flowers are actually spathes that last for several weeks, each with a white spadix covered densely with its tiny, true flowers.

Some varieties have spathe colors that are pink, orange or white.Long, dark-green leathery leaves are held on upright stems. The leaves of this plant are poisonous. They contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe burning in the mouth. Keep it away from pets who may play with or chew on its foliage. It's also a good idea to wear gloves when handling this plant to avoid skin irritation.
Shed some light. Bright light will make these beauties bloom. Give your plant as much bright light as you can year-round, but keep it out of direct sun. A curtain-filtered sunny window is ideal.


Pink Hearts Anthurium

Raise the humidity. Because of the need for humidity, Anthurium growing can be challenging in the home. However, newer cultivars are less fussy than the species. If the relative humidity drops below 50%, use a humidity tray or room humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. Grouping plants also helps to maintain the humidity around them. Brown leaf tips may be a sign of dry air.
To repot...or not. The best time to repot your Anthurium plant is when new growth begins in spring. Move into a pot that's only 1 size bigger -- and only when necessary. Set the plant high so that the crown sits above the soil line. If roots show up at the surface between re-potting, cover them with potting mix. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Keep it clean. Anthurium leaves are naturally glossy. Just wipe them with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free. Avoid leaving water drops on the leaves because it may cause brown spots, a fungus that needs to be treated with a fungicide.

Anthurium Care Tips 

Origin: Columbia 

Height: Up to 18 in (45 cm); compact cultivars reach only 12 in (30 cm). Tall flower stems may need staking.
Light: At least 4 hours of bright light each day. No direct sun.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist spring through fall, slightly drier in winter. 
Humidity: Moderate to high humidity.
Temperature: 65-70°F/18-21°C at night, 75-80°F/24-27°C during the day.
Soil: Peat moss based potting mix. 
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks in spring and summer with a high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer diluted by half. 
Propagation: Divide crowded clumps when repotting. Plant separately in small containers. New plants should bloom in about a year.

 

Take A Look about LOTUSES

Lotuses are perhaps the most spectacular plants in aquatic environments. The Chinese say that, once having seen the growing lotus, you never forget it. The lotus flowers have color from red, pink, pale yellow to creamy white. A separate, long, tubular stalk supports each flower and each large round leaf.

Chinese poets use lotus flowers to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond.

Another symbolic characteristic of the lotus flower leads from the observation that the plant's stalk is easy to bend in two, but is very hard to break because of its many strong sinuous fibres. Poets use this to represent a close unbreakable relationship between two lovers or the members within a family, showing that no matter how far away they might live nothing can really separate them in heart.

In Buddhism the lotus flower symbolizes faithfulness. The golden lotus that is mentioned in Buddhist sutras has two meanings, one is the symbol for the achievement of enlightenment and the other points towards a real flower which is beyond our normal perception.

 

 The influence of a lotus flower painting is to open us up to beauty and light. A good lotus flower painting can act as a reminder of the... miracle of beauty, light and life. This reminder, communicated on an emotional level, is said to aid both spiritual and practical understanding of Tao, the world and our place in it.All parts of lotus are edible. The immature seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, they have chestnut like flavor. Ripe seeds are roasted and ground into flour, or boiled to extract oil. Lotus roots produce starchy tubers and have the flavor of sweet potato. The young, unrolled leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Lotus seeds have very hard, impermeable seed coats, and can remain viable for very long time. Sacred Lotus seeds, the most long-lived of all angiosperm seeds, have been known to germinate after more than 400 years! American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) can germinate after a dormancy of 200 years, and recently, lotus seeds of 1,200 years from China had been germinated! What's an incredible plant! 

 

 

 

A Rare look at Echium Vulcanorum

This is a rare look at the beautiful Echium vulcanorum. It is found only in one spot on earth - the small, volcanic island of Fogo, 400 miles off the coast of West Africa. This large, attractive shrub lights up with hundreds of white and blue flowers. It is an endangered species that is facing many threats, including humans, animals, and an active volcano!
 Echium vulcanorum is a woody, perennial bush that grows to 7 feet tall and wide if left un- pruned. It has leathery, silver-green leaves which lack the bristly, irritating hairs found on many Echium species. Flowers can appear throughout the year, but the heaviest show is in Spring, when the plant becomes covered with large, cone-shaped clusters of blossoms. Each funnel-shaped flower is just under an inch long, and is pearly white with streaks of blue emanating from the center. The blooms are much loved by honeybees. Many Echium species only flower once and then die, but Echium vulcanorum is a long-lived species that blooms well for many years. Its population has been greatly reduced on the island due to harvesting it for firewood, and feral goats that ravage the plants. The last remaining plants are found near the opening of an active volcano, which occasionally erupts with hot lava.

 

 

Echium vulcanorum

 

Perennial Flowers that Bloom All Summer Black-Eyed Susan

The inflorescence type for black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) plants is the head or the capitulum. The center of the flower is distinct black, surrounded by yellow colored, petal-like florets. It is best grown in USDA zones 3 - 9 and prefers well-drained soil. The bloom period is for 3 months and you can extend it by deadheading faded blooms. The plant is also called golden Jerusalem, Poor land daisy, and yellow daisy.

Black-eyed Susan

 

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/perennial-flowers-that-bloom-all-summer.html

~ Perennials That Bloom in Summer ~ Red Valerian

Perennial flowers are more or less like shrubs and bushes in their growth habit. Like shrubs, they offer permanent greenery in the garden for several years; only thing is that along with foliage, you get to enjoy lovely blooms. The advantage of planting perennials is they don't need to be uprooted even after the blooming period is over, which is the case with seasonal and annual flowers. Thus, many hobbyists prefer including them in their gardens.

In case you don't have enough time for gardening and nurturing plants, perennial flowers are the ideal choice. Perennials are often selected for large gardens. Based on the variety you have planted, they will bloom for a specific season every year. Hence, if you consider the mode of flowering, they resemble annuals. With so much variation in size, color, shape, and pattern, you can find many blooming perennial flowers well-suited for your landscape design.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/perennial-flowers-that-bloom-all-summer.html

The Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is very famous for its ornamental flowers. It blooms for a longer duration in cooler climatic conditions. It is a widely grown ornamental subshrub, best adapted in USDA zones 3 - 9. You can plant stem cuttings of valerian in dry soil. Flower buds start developing in early spring and continue to bloom throughout summer. Irrespective of the individual flowers being as tiny as 2 cm, the inflorescence is huge and looks spectacular. You will usually see purplish-red flowers, with occasional blooms of white and lavender. The plant is also called Jupiter's beard and spur valerian.

 

 

 

Celery Forest ~ Carl Warner's fantastic food landscapes

Celery Forest
Fewer ingredients seem to make for simpler and more effective scenes. These celery sticks are skewered into a polystyrene table top to create a tropical rainforest through which a lone canoeist, made from dried chillies, makes his way along the river in his okra canoe.

A rare Blooming Ghost Orchids

A rare Blooming Ghost Orchids

A cluster of seven rare blooming ghost orchids hang from a bald cypress tree roughly 45 feet in the air and 150 feet away from the boardwalk in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Collier County. After 12 years without a ghost orchid sighting in the preserve, a pair of bird watchers discovered unusually large cluster of nine the rare and endangered orchid while searching the swamp for owls on July 7, 2007.

A flower without a stem, is beauty waiting to die...

"A flower without a stem, is beauty waiting to die. A heart without love, is a tear waiting to cry." ~ Octavio Paz ~

 

ROSE PETALS

 

 

❀`•.¸¸.❀ Buddha’s Hand ❀`•.¸¸.❀

❀`•.¸¸.❀`•.¸¸.❀ Buddha’s Hand ❀`•.¸¸.❀`•.¸¸.❀

Tastes like a lemon. It is called as such because of its shape, it resembles a tightened octopus. It is found in China and India. It is used to flavor fish and eaten raw with spices when mixed with salad. It is also used by the Chinese as a perfume around the house and in cupboards to keep out the smell.
 

 

•ʚįɞ•╭┈⊰✿ Dendrobium spectabile ✿⊱┈╮•ʚįɞ•

 Dendrobium spectabile ... Is a warm growing species native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The 18 inch to 2 foot long canes produce masses of flowers that look like aliens from another world. The plant is easy to grow and flower if you follow the recommended cultural instructions. The flowers are long lasting and have a honey like scent.

 

Dendrobium spectabile

 

 

 

Wearable Flowers and Food

 Wearable Flowers and Food

 

There are many artists try to create dress with different material, most usually, all kinds of paper. But “Wearable Foods” We presented today by Korean artist Yeonju Sung is something totally abnormal. With these outfits, you won’t have to worry about getting food on your clothes – you are actually wearing them. ✿◠‿◠) Lhynn  ⊱❤⊰

 

LEEK DRESS

 

 

 

shocked flowers with 80,000 volts.

This is what it looks like to shock flowers with 80,000 volts. In this odd but old photographic technique (called Kirlian photography), the object is placed over photographic film over a metal plate. When the extreme voltages are applied, the air surrounding the flower is ionized, leaving a ghostly electric image on the film. The remainder of the colorful image is hand-painted later.

 

DAFFODILS ( Narcissus )

Daffodil is a common English name for Narcissus, sometimes used now for all varieties, and is the chief common name of horticultural prevalence used by the American Daffodil Society. The range of forms in cultivation has been heavily modified and extended, with new variations available from specialists almost every year.

Narcissus is a genus of mainly hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs in the ...Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. There are also several Narcissus species that bloom in the autumn. Though Hortus Third cites 26 wild species, Daffodils for North American Gardens cites between 50 and 100 including species variants and wild hybrids. Through taxonomic and genetic research, it is speculated that over time this number will probably continue to be refined.

Yellow narcissus flowers large, pale yellow, high sub Corolla yellow color gentle harmony, pleasant fragrance, often used for cut flowers cultivated in Europe and America. Flower arrangement and flower border, as in the sparse undergrowth naturalistic planting, sending December on the occasion of spring, flowers blossoming, so early spring scenery beautiful gift.

 

There are two derivations of the name. One is that of the youth of Greek mythology called Narcissus, who, in at least one of many variations of the tale, became so obsessed with his own reflection as he kneeled and gazed into a pool of water that he fell into the water and drowned. In some variations, he died of starvation and thirst from just sitting by the edge of the pool until he gave out, gazing at his reflection until he died. In both versions, the Narcissus plant first sprang from where he died.
The other derivation is that the plant is named after its narcotic properties (ναρκάω narkao, "I grow numb" in Greek). There are several plurals in common use: "Narcissuses", "Narcissi", and "Narcissus". This last is common in American English but is very rare in British usage. The American Webster's Third New International Dictionary gives plurals in the order "Narcissus", "Narcissuses", and "Narcissi", but the British Compact Oxford English Dictionary lists just "Narcissi" and "Narcissuses".
The name Daffodil is derived from an earlier "Affodell", a variant of Asphodel. The reason for the introduction of the initial "d" is not known, although a probable source is an etymological merging from the Dutch article "de," as in "De affodil." From at least the 16th century, "Daffadown Dilly", "daffadown dilly", and "daffydowndilly" have appeared as playful synonyms of the name. The name "jonquil" is sometimes used in North America, particularly in the South, but strictly speaking that name belongs to only the rush-leaved Narcissus jonquilla and cultivars derived from it. Flowers of the tazetta-group species Narcissus papyraceus are commonly called paperwhites.

 

Narcissus papyraceus ~ Paperwhites  Narcissus