Chinese lantern flowers ~ the perfect symbol for protection

The herbaceous perennial plant physalis alkekengi – better known as Chinese lantern flowers – is related to physalis peruviana, or the cape gooseberry. Although similar in structure, Chinese lanterns are much larger, and their outer covering is bright orange or red in appearance. These perennial flowers are indigenous to southeastern Europe and Japan, and grow their best in full sunlight and rich soil. Throughout their period of growth, the Chinese lantern flower will begin as a delicate, five-lobed corolla which will eventually become a faintly green husk that houses a small berry. Over time, the flower will turn an orange or red hue, and will become papery in its texture.

 Chinese lantern flowers are frequently grown for their novel appearance; however, these flowers are also grown for a vast array of more useful tasks. For instance, many people like to use the flowers for arts and crafts, as these unique blossoms last for long periods of time when dried. They are often woven into wreaths or dried bouquets; they may be pressed into scrap books, jewelry or bookmarks; the intricate dried veins of the husk may also be gently dipped into glue or shellac to harden them, then they may be painted. The fruit of Chinese lanterns is – in small quantities – quite edible. The flavor of the fruit is considered refreshing and mild, and can be turned into sweet, exotic jellies, or simply eaten whole – some even like to eat them dipped in chocolate. Although the leaves and unripen berries of this plant are considered poisonous, many people still believe that in small doses they may have potent medicinal properties. These flowers are sometimes used to treat such things as facial paralysis, respiratory ailments, bed-wetting, fevers and even delayed labor.

Chinese Paper Lanterns Seedpods

 Although Chinese lantern flowers may not have an especially large amount of symbolism attached to them, what they do have has made them into an endearing and joyful emblem of warmth. Given that these flowers enfold and defend the small, delicate fruit buried within their husks, they may be the perfect symbol for protection. Their fiery orange red hue denotes a passion for life, amiability, endurance and vitality. As a gift, these flowers are more commonly given dried or in silk forms. They are sometimes used in wedding bouquets or to decorate ceremonies as an alternative to the more common blossoms.

 

 

Hollyhock ~ The Abundance and Fertility

Hollyhock flowers have a very long history – in fact, remains of this blossom were located at a Stone Age burial site in the Shanidar cave in Iraq. Hollyhocks – whose name was derived from the old English expression, “Holy Flower” – also have some interesting connections. For instance, Thomas Jefferson cultivated these plants in Monticello; in Japan, hollyhocks became the seal of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and Frank Lloyd Wright named his first Los Angeles project, “Hollyhock House,” after the owner, Aline  Barnsdall’s, favorite flower.
 

Hollyhock 'Spring Celebrities Lilac

Althaea rosea plena 'Chater's Pink Pale'

 In addition to having cultural connections, hollyhock flowers have also become an important part of art. Not only can the flowers themselves be used to create a rust red-colored dye, they have also made many appearances in fine art paintings. Three of the best known examples include Georgia O’Keeffe’s uniquely-hued “Black Hollyhock, Blue Larkspur,” “Pink with Pedernal,” and Vincent Van Gogh’s realistic, “Vase With Hollyhocks.” More modern works include, “Calling All Bees,” by Alma Sanbern, and “La Puerta Azul,” by Gayle Faucette. As a symbol, hollyhock flowers generally represent abundance and fertility. These blossoms are frequently given to new or soon-to-be new mothers – generally to wish her luck in bearing a child, or to welcome the birth itself.
 

Semi-Double Red to Maroon Hollyhock

They are also sometimes presented to newly married couples to wish them a large and happy family. Although these blooms look fantastic in any arrangement or bouquet, many people prefer to give them as potted plants – especially the miniature cultivars
 
Zebra Hollyhocks are perennials that bloom all summer long. They are easy to grow, self seed, are drought tolerant, and attract butterflies. They grow in sun to part shade and get 2-4' tall. Great for perennial beds, cottage gardens, borders, and rock gardens. Zones 4-8.

 

 

 

Zebra Hollyhocks

 

 

2004 AAS Winner Hollyhock 'Queeny Purple' was the first pure purple hollyhock. This tender perennial offers season long color attractive to hummingbirds. The dwarf plants 20-30 inches tall are perfect for smaller space gardens.

 

2004 AAS Winner Hollyhock 'Queeny Purple'

 

Do you know the Proper Care of Roses?

Do you know the Proper Care of Roses?
This specific rose bush care will give you the garden you want, with healthy plants that supply you with big beautiful blooms all season.
Rose gardening, is caring for roses, that involves learning how to grow roses, in a manner that will meet the needs of the gardener who is caring for them. Rose plant care ultimately effects the health and flowering ability of the plant.

Roses do require a bit more care than the average garden flower, but armed with a bit of "rose knowledge" you can simplify that to suit you own gardening needs!

Along with choosing the right roses, the following tips will help you in the care of roses.

Before purchasing a rose, check to see that it will do well in your planting zone. Just because a local garden center has them for sale does NOT mean they are hardy in your area!!

 

Click Here for Hardiness Zone Map The map shows you what hardiness zone you are in. The label on your rose will tell you to what zone it is hardy in.
Follow this link to Seasonal Rose Bush Care Maintenance

Tips for the Proper Care of Roses

If you have questions such as 'How do you plant roses", or 'How do you plant a garden', follow this garden growing guide for answers. You'll grow a garden of roses to be proud of!

Fertilizing for the Care of Roses

Roses need supplemental fertilizer if you want them to perform successfully! It must be the right formulation, and given the right amount at the right time.
I suggest using organic fertilizer for your rose plants. Learn how to Fertilize for the care of roses your roses to keep them growing and flowering at their best.

Pruning ~ Care of Roses

Rose care Pruning is essential in the care of roses to produce good growth, and flowering of your rose bush. When you know when and how to prune, you can encourage growth at desired points to increase flowers!
You will also keep the bush looking neat and tidy, and keep it from growing out of bounds. Click to learn How and When to Prune

Deadheading

Deadheading the plants will encourage more blooms, and keep the bush looking neat and tidy. More information about deadheading roses

Weeding

No one likes the job..... but it has to be done. If the beds are properly mulched, an occasional weed here and there is not much of a chore, but sometimes the weeds can get out of control. If left to grow freely, weeds will rob the rose of needed nutrients.
Besides.... pulling out weeds leave pockets of air in the soil, and this is a good way to  keep the soil nice and loose. Just be careful not to leave any rose roots exposed, and to water the bush well after.

Watering

Unlike conventional spray-type watering systems, soaker hoses weep water through thousands of tiny pores. The water soaks gently into the ground, nourishing plant roots directly while using up to 70% less water. Because water doesn't spray on leaves, there's less spread of disease, too. 
If it does not rain deeply or frequently enough, watering will be necessary! The condition of the soil, temperature, and proximity to other plants all effect the watering requirements of your roses.
To understand water demands of roses... On average, for the best Care of Roses...
They need at least one inch of water per week. It is VERY important to water DEEPLY, but infrequently. This will encourage deep roots.
If your roses develop deep roots, they will be stronger, healthier and more drought resistant than roses with shallow root systems.
If you have heavy soil that retains moisture, you will water less. Over watering this type of soil could cause root rot.
To test how much you need to water: Insert a pipe into the soil to a dept of 12 inches. Bring up a column of soil, right after you have finished your watering. If the soil is moist all the way to the bottom, you have given the plant the right amount.
If it is partly dry, you need to water more, for a longer time. This will give you a better idea of how much to water.
Take another test a week later. If the soil at the bottom is completely dry, you know you need to water more than once a week.
If the soil is still wet, a longer time frame, maybe 10 days between watering would be better to insure proper rose bush care. Container grown roses, and newly planted roses will need more water.

Mulching for proper care of roses

Mulching will help in the care of roses.
A mulch, or layer of synthetic or natural material, blankets the plant from the elements, as well as looking great!
Mulches serve many purposes:
 ~Help conserve moisture
 ~Gives an attractive finish to your garden
 ~Adds organic matter as well as nutrients to the soil
Look here for the Best and Worst Mulches

Controlling Pests and Diseases

Roses can be troubled by a number of diseases and insects. Many landscape and garden roses, are immune to some of these diseases, so choose wisely. Many cultivators resist common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
By keeping the garden bed weeded and removing fallen leaves, you help to get rid of pests hiding places.
Healthy roses are less likely to become diseased, so keep plants healthy by giving them lots of sun, plenty of water, and good air circulation. It is important to spot problems early, and act immediately. A daily inspection of your roses will determine if a problem is present.
With today's busy lifestyles, you may not have time to run off to the garden center when you discover a problem.
If you're not quite sure what to do when this Easy Spray Guide will simplify your gardening. This is an organic spray regiment for the care of roses, that controls problems before they start. More help with Gardening Problems

Training Rose Canes
Rose canes can be trained in a number of ways; Woven, or fanned out  on a trellis, or wrapped or braided around a post.

The main thing to remember, is to not let the canes go straight up. You want to keep them as horizontal as possible.  Training this way, breaks the flow of nutrients to the tips, and promotes leaves and flowers to grow all along the cane.
When attaching or tying the canes, be careful not to tie them so tight that  they  get chocked as they grow. You also don't want them so loose that the wind blows them around and they are wounded by chafing.

Organic Rose Gardening
Practice gardening that is "safe" for you and the environment by growing Organic Roses
Coping with Deer
Deer bites leave jagged or torn ends on stems. They will eat stems and bark during the winter months, and happily nibble on flower buds and foliage during the growing season. Even the sharp thorns on the rose plants, do not deter them.
To find out more on how to Deter Hungry Deer from your garden

The best way to prepare the bed for planting is by double digging the soil, or using a Tiller! Start your roses off right, with soil they can sink their roots in to! 

By loosening the soil, and enriching it with compost, you give your roses THE best chance to flourish, resulting in the best they can be!
 photograph any flower or bush you want to make a lasting memory.Not to mention some of the great gifts these prints can make!
With all you do in the care of roses, why not reward yourself with a special momentum from the garden? Even the garden itself, at different times in the season, gets photographed.

Rose Types and Rose Varieties ... Continuation

Rose Types and Rose Varieties ... Continuation

 

Eglanteria

This type produces small, single or semi-double flowers of pink, red, copper or yellow. You'll find a large, dense, thorny bush on these types. The foliage has an apple scent, especially after it rains. They are hardy plants that produce colorful hips. These roses bloom once a year.

Gallica

Also called the French Rose, this type is considered the oldest identified rose. The flowers come in red, purple or pink, and may be single or double. They have rough textured, dark green foliage. They produce hardy, compact plants.  Some varieties are very fragrant, while others have no scent at all.

                                         Hybrid Perpetual
These roses are types that are ancestors of the Hybrid Tea.
They produce a hardy bush that is tall and vigorous. They repeat blooms all summer. The large,double flowers, could be white, pink, maroon, red or mauve.

Categories of Modern Roses

Hybrid Teas

John F. Kennedy

Hybrid Tea Rose  This is the classic, high centered beautiful flower, most think of when the word rose flower comes to mind. They are wonderful cut flowers, that are the mainstay of roses used by florists.
These rose varieties of teas, come in every color except true blue and true black. They almost all are repeat bloomers, and many are fragrant. Their long, strong stems make them excellent for cutting.

Floribunda

Julia Child

 

Floribunda Roses  This is a cross between a hybrid tea rose and a polyantha rose. This type produces clusters of flowers in great abundance!They are hardy roses that are low growing, and bushy. They have large blooms that are sometimes single, but are usually born in large clusters. You can expect ever blooming sprays of roses. They are a great garden rose, that is widely used in landscaping situations.

Grandiflora Rose Types

Queen Elizabeth

Grandiflora Rose ~ '' New Year''

 

Grandiflora's inherited their beautiful flower form, and long stems from their Hybrid Tea parents, and the ability to produce continuous blooms from their Floribunda parentage.  This type produces large blooms, that are great for cutting. They are hardy rose bush plants, that grow large in size, and are nice for the back of the border or garden.

                                 Miniature





Hot Tamale

 

Miniature Roses  are petite versions of full size rose plants. The leaves, stems, and flowers,are all miniature size.
Plant heights range from 3 inches to 3 feet or more. The flowers can range from an inch across to several inches. They come in a very wide range of colors, with new ones being introduced continually. They resemble tiny floribundas and hybrid teas, but they are a class of their own. Some are even climbers. Smaller ones can be grown indoors or out, and do well in containers or window boxes.. Search this List of Mini Roses Climbing Rose Types  These types of roses have long canes that can sometimes be trained to grow horizontally along a fence. Training them this way, forces them to produce more of the lateral flowering branches. The stiffer caned rose varieties can be trained on a pergola trellis or arbor. Some are once blooming, others bloom off and on all summer.

Polyantha Types of Roses

Very hardy plants that flower continually. Low-growing and compact.
Clusters of flowers in shades of white, pink, yellow, red or orange.
Single flowers that are small, and open flat. Great edging or hedge plants.
Learn more about Polyantha roses, and view a list of them with information on them.

Rambler Rose Types

Super Dorothy

Floribunda Rose, Rambler Rose

 

Some of today's climbers descended from the Rambler roses.
These types of roses are generally very large, quick growing, and very hardy rose plants.
Most of them bloom only once in early summer, but put on a spectacular display that lasts quite sometime.


Unfortunately, lots of the old Ramblers have disappeared from the market. Others are hard to find, but if you do come across them, they are certainly worth your effort to grow them!

Shrub Roses

Shrub Roses Shrub roses are divided into several major sub-classes.
Hybrid Musk Rose Types
Are fairly tall,all-season bloomers,hardy, disease resistant, have very fragrant flowers in clusters. They can tolerate less sun than other roses.
Hybrid Moyesii
Stiff plants that grow tall. Repeat bloomers

Rugosa

Hansa

Hybrid Rugosa Roses Low growing plants that have wrinkled foliage. They are disease resistant. Single or double flowers.
Are great if you live near the beach. They will tolerate wind and sea spray well.

Kordesii
These rose types are shrubs or short climbers. They have excellent hardiness. A wide variety of colors and flower form.

Rose Trees

Rose Trees called "Tree Roses" These are roses produced by grafting a long straight stem of one rose on to the roots of another. Atop this is grafted the flowering plant. Usually a graceful weeping rose variety.
As beautiful as they are, (And they will likely perform the first season in all their crowning glory), they are all very tender.


Sources from :Allaboutrosegardening.com
by Carol Fielding

Rose Types and Rose Varieties

Rose Types and Rose Varieties

Do you know the different rose types, and rose varieties available? There are many different types of roses that you can plant in your garden. If you take the time to learn about the many rose types available, you can make a better decision on which ones to plant in your rose garden, or yard. Different roses are better for certain situations.
You'll find low-growing types, climbing types, shrubby bushy types, Hybrid Tea types suitable for a cutting garden, and even miniature roses suitable for growing in pots or hanging baskets.
Take the time to learn about the different types, so that you can accurately choose the best type for your specific need. Roses have been classified by the American Rose society into two broad classes of different types of roses:

Old Garden Roses and Modern Roses

Old Garden RosesThese are the group of roses that were established prior to the first large flowered bush roses (called Hybrid Teas) in the 1870's.
These Old Garden roses,were almost forgotten, being replaced with the more modern roses, but just like collectible antiques, their sheer beauty has kept them still fashionable today. The flowers have a distinct beauty of their own, with quartered petals, and fragrance that is hard to come by today.  They are also called  Heirloom roses



~Categories of Old Garden Roses~

Albas Morning Blush

 

 

 

 

Alba Type Roses These rose types are extremely hardy and disease resistant. They will thrive as far north as zone 4 without winter protection.
The bushes are very dense, reaching 5-8 ft. tall. Flowers are medium shades of pink or white, and range from single to double depending on the variety. Clusters of flowers are born on thorny canes with gray-green foliage.
They bloom once from late spring through early summer.
They produce large red hips.

 

Bourbon Type of Roses

Zephirine Drouhin

 

These Rose Varieties are shrubby,vigorous, fragrant plants. Most grow to about 6 ft. Some climbers can reach 12 ft. Clusters of small to medium semi-double or double flowers in white, pink, red or purple. (No yellow ones)They have glossy bright green leaves. Some types of these roses can be tender (Zephirine Drouhin, a lovely climber) More tender but well worth the trouble!!.

Centiflora

These are called cabbage roses because of the hundreds or more petals, closely overlapped like the leaves of a cabbage.
These rose types have small to medium size flowers, ranging from white to deep rose.
Clusters of flowers appear on arching branches with crinkled leaves. They are quite hardy, and suitable for smaller gardens.
They bloom only once a year!

Cabbage Roses

 

Green Cabbage Rose

China Roses

Semi double or double, small delicate flowers with glossy foliage. Sizes range from low growing 3-ft. rose varieties to 6-foot tall hybrids.
The bushes are dainty, and slim-wooded. The canes have scattered hooked prickles (thorns), with finely pointed leaves.
The flowers can be pink, red or crimson.
These types are Extremely frost Tender!

CHINA ROSE Rosa chinensis. Roses are native to central and southern Europe ...

Damask

Medium to large, very fragrant flowers of semi double - double blooms in large clusters of pink or white.
They have drooping or arching branches.
They are grown in Europe and the Near East for the production of a fragrant rose oil "atter of roses".
These rose types are VERY hardy! They bloom only once a year, with the exception of "Autumn Damask" which will bloom twice.

 

Scented Damask Rose

 Sources from : Allaboutrosegardening.com
by Carol Fielding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hybrid Tea Rose

Hybrid Tea rose-

 

 The  Hybrid Tea Rose is the favored rose of those who like to cut long stemmed roses, with large flowers. They are usually tall, upright plants. Most have a wonderful fragrance. They are the most popular rose in the world, planted and enjoyed by gardeners everywhere. The Hybrid Tea rose is equally at home in formal gardens, or informal plantings, as long as they are hardy to your planting zone.
Tea roses are repeat bloomers that have long lasting, high centered blooms. They typically produce one flower per long stem, deadheading the blooms as they fade, encourages the next cycle of blooms.
Hybrid tea roses are the most popular of the modern roses, for not only gardens, but exhibition, as well as bouquets.

Some of the most beautiful dark red roses (especially the ones you get in a bouquet) are Hybrid Tea Roses.

Ultimate Pink

 

Large, light hybrid tea pink flowers are classic tea form, and are produced throughout the season, on long cutting stems.
This is an upright vigorous 4-6 ft. plant
This rose has a slight, sweet fragrance.
Disease resistant bush
One of the best in Pink Hybrid Teas


Aromatherapy

This tea rose, is a very vigorous bush that produces lovely pink blooms.

It is a prolific bloomer for the duration of the season.  The blooms are very long lasting blooms.  The bush grows 5-6feet It has a very Intense, fruit

fragrance Hardy zones 6-10 Great for cutting!
photo courtesy Rick Leche

Hacienda

photo courtsey:  Antonio Motta View more rose images from his lovely garden at www.ameroses.com

This classically formed Hybrid Tea  has various shades of gold and apricot. They have an unusual, bright yellow " peacock" fan pattern on the backs of each petal.

This rose is exhibition quality. They do fade in the heat. They are typically called a "bouquet machine", because of the abundance of flowers the bush produces.

Large flowers can get as large as 6 inches across. Plant can grow 5-6 ft. They have only a slight fragrance.

A lovely addition to the garden.

Large flowered, with very dark red, with a lighter reverse coloring.
Strong- fruity, musk, old rose fragrance.
This tall upright bush grows 5-6 ft.
Very disease resistant Named for the firefighters who lost their lives on Sept.11 2001. "Remember me" rose gardens will be building 3 rose gardens near where the planes crashed that awful day. Each garden will have a rose bush for each victim that day. Nearly 3,000 rose bushes in each garden...
Moon Shadow

This purple beauty has very unique coloring. Bush grows to five feet and has lovely dark green foliage. Long pointed buds open into beautiful double blooms.
This is a great long stemmed cutting rose. It has a wonderful strong antique rose fragrance.
Hardy Zones 6-10
Available from: Heirloom Roses photo courtesy of Drew Avery

Fragrant Cloud

Coral-orange blooms
Not only are the blooms on this Tea Rose lovely, but it has a
captivating heady, expensive perfume fragrance. Just one bloom will perfume an entire garden!
If you live in the right zone to grow these, and you want fragrance...
This unique colored upright growing bush grows 3-4 feet

 

Most Hybrid Tea Roses are hardy in zones 6-10. Some are hardy as far as zone 5, but I caution you if you live in that zone, to protect them as much as you can!

 

Sunstruck

 

This classically formed Hybrid Tea  has various shades of gold and apricot. They have an unusual, bright yellow " peacock" fan pattern on the backs of each petal.

This rose is exhibition quality. They do fade in the heat. They are typically called a "bouquet machine", because of the abundance of flowers the bush produces.

Large flowers can get as large as 6 inches across. Plant can grow 5-6 ft. They have only a slight fragrance.

A lovely addition to the garden.

''Every sweet-scented rose tells from its heart the secrets of heaven and earth.'' ~ Rumi ~

Tuscan Sun Rose  ~ Apricot Blend Floribunda

Tuscan Sun Rose

The Tuscan Sun rose is a Floribunda type rose that produces very beautiful flowers in an interesting apricot blend color.
Sometimes considered orange roses, the tones on this rose are much warmer and softer.
As with most Floribunda roses, this one also produces it's beautiful flowers in clusters.
It produces large clusters of blooms all season long on a bush with healthy, glossy green foliage.
It makes a nice rose to use as a hedge or in a border.

Type   Floribunda
Hybridizer  Dr. Kieth W. Zary (United States) 2001
Blooms   Apricot blend bloom size of 4" Flowers have 26-40 petals
Growth Habits  Medium size bush is well branched, grows upright 4-5'
Foliage Medium size foliage is dark green and semi-glossy
Fragrance Mild Fragrance (spice)
Hardy Zones  Zones 6-10

This rose was introduced in the U.S. in 2004 by Jackson & Perkins as "Tuscan Sun"

It is a well-branched, upright growing bush that becomes a beautiful rose bush for the garden. (Especially if you plant a group of 2 or 3 together, or plant them in a row for a magnificent hedge or border.
You can even plant them in a large container.
This rose loves to bloom! It shows off continually all through the growing season.

The pointed, ovoid, bronze colored buds open to high centered, hybrid tea form blooms in a most interesting coppery, apricot/pink blend color. The color has hues of apricot, orange, burnt umber and rose. (Very warm and soft)

This is a great rose for cutting, the beautiful color of the flowers along with the sweet spice scent, (allspice and cloves) make for a beautiful bouquet.

It is resistant to rust and powdery mildew, but susceptible to black spot!
This is a rose for warmer climates. It can take the heat and/or humidity well.
Often used as a landscape rose, Tuscan Sun rose makes a nice hedge, or foundation planting.
Be sure to cut those blooms to enjoy them not only outside, but in the house as well!


 

The 10 Most Beautiful Cacti From Around The World

The cactus is a rare and stunning creation of nature. Originally grown to be eaten by royalty.

1. Cereus Repandus (Dragon Fruit Cactus)
Found in South America as well as the nearby ABC Islands of the Dutch Caribbean.

2. Opuntia Microdasys (Bunny Ears Cactus, Bunny Cactus or Polka-dot Cactus)
Native to central and northern Mexico.

3. Grafted Gymnocalycium Cultivars (Chin Cactus) ~ Native to South America

 

4. Echinopsis (Hedgehog Cacti, Sea-Urchin Cactus or Easter Lily Cactus) ~ Native to South America

 

 

5. Argentine Giant Cactus ~ Native to Argentina

 

 

6. Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus) ~ Native to Mexico 

 

 

7. Saguaro Cactus ~ Native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.

 

 

 

8. Giant Starfish Cactus ~ Native to small parts of Texas and Mexico.

 

 

9. Mammilaria Grahamii (Fishhook Pincushion Cactus)

 

 

 

10. Barrel Cactus ~ Found in the Southwest Desert of North America.

 

 

Amaranthus caudatus ( Love-lies-bleeding )

Amaranthus caudatus is a species of annual flowering plant. It goes by common names such as love-lies-bleeding, love-lies- a 'bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth, and quilete.
Many parts of the plants, including the leaves and seeds, are edible, and are frequently used as a source of food in India and South America — where it is the most important Andean species of Amaranthus, known as kiwicha. (see also Andean ancient plants) This species, as with many other of the amaranths, are originally from the American tropics. The exact origin is unknown, as A. caudatus is believed to be a wild Amaranthus hybridus aggregate.
The red color of the inflorescences is due to a high content of betacyanins, as in the related species known as "Hopi red dye" amaranth. Ornamental garden varieties sold under the latter name are either Amaranthus cruentus or a hybrid between A. cruentus and A. powelli. In indigenous agriculture, A. cruentus is the Central American counterpart to South American A. caudatus.

 

Klaus Enrique Gerdes a NYC based photographer ...

Klaus Enrique Gerdes is a NYC based photographer who created a series of portraits made of fruits, flowers and vegetables. They might looks familiar to you if you have ever seen Giuseppe Arcimboldo‘s (1527 – July 11, 1593) work before, who was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative portrait heads made entirely of such objects as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and books. Unlike Giuseppe who created portraits with his painting brush, Klaus seemed to make portraits with food and flowers first then shot them.