''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.

 

 

Gypsophila paniculata ( Baby's Breath,Gyp )

Gypsophilas are often grown as ornamental plants in gardens; they are grown both as garden plants and also valuable as a cut flower in floristry to add as a filler to flower bouquets. The most commonly encountered in gardens are
G. paniculata (a perennial species), G. elegans, and G. muralis (both annual species). They are easily propagated from seed, by cuttings, or by root division before growth... starts in the spring. Starting as a tiny seed, the annuals and perennials germinate in ten to fifteen days, and can grow rapidly up to 50 cm in height. While they prefer full sun, along with rich, light soil, deficiencies in poor soil constitution can be overcome by adding a general purpose fertilizer, as long as it is well drained.
The name Gypsophila means ‘lover of chalk’, describing the type of soil the flowering plant likes to grow in. The plant is native to Eastern Europe, and is now grown everywhere in the world – in fields and glasshouses.
Meaning:
 The flower symbolism associated with baby's breath is purity of heart, innocence, and the breath of the Holy Spirit. Baby's breath is white with dense, delicate clusters of flowers. They are native to Europe, but have been naturalized throughout the eastern United States. Baby's breath is often used as ornamental garden plants and as filler in bouquets. 

Origins:
A member of the Caryophyllaceae family, gypsophila--commonly known as baby's breath--has European and Northern Asian origins and is a relative of chickweed, carnations and sweet William. A floral-industry mainstay, gypsophila is used primarily as a filler flower, and is available in both white and pink varieties.
A neat rosette forms at the base of the plant, and the flowers grow in light, airy, almost leafless sprays, the wiry stems winding in between neighboring flowers. The flowers appear in early midsummer and, unless cut, remain on the plants throughout summer and dry out naturally to make just as much impact as when they first open. Plants are tap-rooted and do not move once established - however, clumps are not invasive, so there is no need to try and divide them. Plants can be short lived, especially if drainage is not extremely sharp. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM). .

Care and Handling:
Handle gently to avoid breaking stems. Avoid misting as browning and rot may occur. To open tight buds, put in a warm solution of flower food, cover with plastic, and store in a warm place for 24 hours. Remove the plastic periodically for air circulation. The flowers have no scent, and wither quickly when allowed to dry out. However, if cared for correctly and kept in fresh water, cut Gypsophila should last a long time.

They are herbaceous annual and perennial plants growing to 5–120 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, linear to narrow triangular, often falcate (sickle-shaped), 1–7 cm long and 2–8 mm broad. The flowers are produced in large inflorescences, which may be either dense or open and lax; each flower is small, 3–10 mm diameter, with five white or pink petals.
 

 Gypsophila has been a popular traditional filler flower for many years, although some now see it as old fashioned. Many florists still use Gypsophila in sweet arrangements for new babies, or in romantic bouquets of roses.
 Gypsophila produces a misty appearance wherever it is planted. These flowers can be used to good effect planted at frequent intervals in front of and among other annuals, such as Larkspur, Poppies, and Lupines. They also make a good carpet for Gladiolus and other Summer-blooming bulbs. As cut flowers, they combine handsomely with Sweet Peas and such flowers as need a little foliage to set them off. In arranging flowers with Babysbreath, do not use too much or the result will have a "fussy" too-dressed-up appearance. The name refers to the fact that the plants prefer limestone soils. The flowers bloom in six weeks from seed sowing, and have but a short blossoming season, for after three weeks they produce their seed and stop flowering. It is well to cut the plants to the soil when the flowers are gathered. Seed should therefore be sown every two or three weeks for a succession of bloom. Some of the seed dropped by the first crop of blossoms will often flower during the season. Thin the plants to stand 8 to 12 inches apart. 

   

Symphoricarpos ('Candy Sensation' Dwarf Snowberry).

Symphoricarpos ('Candy Sensation' Dwarf Snowberry).

Native deciduous shrub for understory environments and mass plantings. Tolerates most soils, except wet, drought tolerant once established. Flowers in June are followed by white or pink berries (depending on cultivar), massing on branches in autumn and winter. Attracts butterflies and birds. Berries are poisonous to humans, but not to birds.

Warty Hammer Orchid

Warty Hammer Orchid ~ A plant with an amazingly unflower-like flower that attracts a particular wasp, which is deceived into attempting to mate with the flower. Darwin's method of studying the pollination of other orchids is described, and used to illustrate how evolutionary biologists can test hypotheses on the adaptive value of the attributes of living things.
Some may say it's ugly looking, but it's depends on you.