DAHLIAS

Flamboyant dahlias are quick-growing, heat-loving plants that produce abundant flowers on sturdy stems. There are hundreds of varieties with flowers in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. The beauty of the dahlia flower inspired great symbolic meaning during the Victorian era and continues to be used today to express personal sentiments. Revered for its beauty, the stunning dahlia flower comes in diverse shapes, sizes and colors. The dahlia blooms for extended periods of time, surpassing most other garden flowers, and many gardening enthusiasts refer to it as the "Queen of the Autumn Garden." Dahlias, like many of varieties of flower, were imbued with different meanings. Dahlia blossoms represent contradictory virtues. The flower's negative connotations of betrayal, instability and dishonesty conflict greatly with Victorian-era ones of dignity, elegance and forever thine, which are still relevant meanings of today.  

Special Features

 Dahlia flowers win gardener’s heart with its ease of growth and massive blooms. This is one of the most popular flowering plant of summer. Good for cut flowers ... Symbolizing hope for an everlasting union between two people, dahlia flowers are presented to couples at engagement parties and weddings.

Site Selection

Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Tall and large-flowered varieties should be sheltered from strong winds. Dahlias adapt well to growing in containers.

Planting Instructions

Plant dahlia tubers in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole about three times as deep as the diameter of the tuber, usually between 3 and 8 inches. Set the tuber horizontally in the hole with the buds facing up, cover it with soil, and press firmly. Space tubers 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety, and water thoroughly. Stake tall varieties at planting time, being careful not to damage tubers when installing stakes.

Care

Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around dahlias to retain moisture and control weeds. To reduce the height of tall-growing varieties, pinch back shoots when the plant is about 1 foot tall. Dahlias prefer consistently moist soil, so water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week, and water container-grown plants frequently to keep soil moist but not saturated. Remove flowers as they fade. In autumn, after frost kills the foliage, cut plants back to the a few inches in height. Wait a few weeks so tubers can cure, then carefully lift clumps, brush off any clinging soil, and put them in a plastic-lined box filled with perlite or peat moss, spacing them so that none are touching. Store boxes off the floor in a dry area at 45 to 55 degrees F. Replant in the spring, dividing large clumps into sections each containing one or more buds, which appear as small bumps.

Red Dahlia

Exotic Torch Lilies

  Exotic Torch Lilies ~  
The tall spires resemble rockets headed for the sky. They also have attractive sword-like foliage. Very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Exotic Torch Lilies bloom in full sun and they thrive in average soil. They grow a stately 3-4' tall and are hardy throughout the country. These exotic perennials bloom in mid-summer lasting well into the fall when the garden really lacks color. Very low maintenance and drought resistant.

How to Make Mirrored Gazing Balls for the Garden

Here is a really cool way to make mirrored balls, using recycled materials and an inexpensive product from the craft store, and they don’t break! Here it is, how to make mirrored gazing balls for the garden, on a budget.


We all love the look of the mirrored gazing balls in the garden. They add light in a shady corner, a fanciful flair in a garden bed, or a little fantasy next to a pond or birdbath. There are two problems with them though…they can be expensive, and they can break easily. If you live where its windy or stormy , its a no can do. And they average around $40 a piece! That’s not an amount of cash I want to lose in a windstorm.


Step One:
 use an old bowling balls as the base, and picked them up at Good Will for under $5. Try to find bowling balls with the finger holes close together so that they can be hidden easier.

Step Two:
Buy Original Chrome Metallic  spray paint from the craft shop, less than 5$ , You can also use any paint colors you like to suit your garden décor ... there are so many beautiful Craft paint to choose from .








Step Three:
Make sure you have an area safe to spray paint, and cover the surface with newspaper or a tarp. Clean the bowling balls well with rubbing alcohol to make sure the paint adheres well.


Step Four:
Lightly spray one side of the bowling ball. Let dry one hour. Roll over, and repeat. Repeat as often as necessary to achieve the amount of reflection you desire.


Step Five:
Spray with a clear gloss sealer to protect from the elements if desired.  Test in an inconspicuous place first. Allow to dry at least 24 hours before placing outside.  Be sure to do a test first.
One can of spray paint made approximately three balls

Three gazing balls from the store? $120.
Be creative with your gazing balls. Display them in groups or singly on an old pedestal.



Image Credits: flowergardengirl, gardens2you


So you have a weekend project, right? If you can’t find bowling balls at your local thrift store, we recommend contacting your local bowling alley to find out if they will sell you worn balls.
There you have it, how to make mirrored gazing balls for the garden, on a budget!

Unusual Flowers That Looks like Something Else

The flower, as a reproductive organ, evolved with one primary purpose in mind – to attract pollinators like insects or birds. This function has driven their astounding evolutionary explosion of distinct colors and shapes, some of which have even come to resemble various recognizable figures, plants or animals.

 [Read more...]

The colors of these flamboyant orchids attract insects and birds, signaling that these flowers are full of tasty nectar. Their shapes, on the other hand, often evolve to attract or accommodate specific pollinators while dissuading parasites or other, less desirable pollinators. Some flowers are more welcoming to bees, while others are perfect for hummingbirds or different insects.

Their stunning colors and biodiversity have attracted another type of creature as well – us. Orchid lovers value flowers like these for their resemblance to other recognizable objects which, while coincidental, is still definitely entertaining!

Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula Simia)

Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula Simia)

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Naked Man Orchid (Orchis Italica)

Naked Man Orchid (Orchis Italica)

Hooker’s Lips (Psychotria Elata)

Hooker’s Lips (Psychotria Elata)

Dancing Girls (Impatiens Bequaertii)

Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid (Ophrys bomybliflora)

Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid (Ophrys bomybliflora)

Swaddled Babies (Anguloa Uniflora)

Parrot Flower (Impatiens Psittacina)

Parrot Flower (Impatiens Psittacina)

White Egret Orchid (Habenaria Radiata)

White Egret Orchid (Habenaria Radiata)

Snap Dragon Seed Pod (Antirrhinum)

Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana Major)

Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana Major)

Happy Alien (Calceolaria Uniflora)

Happy Alien (Calceolaria Uniflora)

Darth Vader (Aristolochia Salvadorensis)

Darth Vader (Aristolochia Salvadorensis)

Orchid That Looks Like A Ballerina

Miltochilum Rosa Ballerina

Dove Orchid Or Holy Ghost Orchid (Peristeria Elata)

Dove Orchid Or Holy Ghost Orchid (Peristeria Elata)

Angel Orchid (Habenaria Grandifloriformis)

Hosta Plant

Hosta Plant

Hosta is an easy-to-grow, long-lived, shade-loving perennial that is prized for its colorful leaves. Other common names are plantain lily and funkia.

About This Plant

An ideal foliage plant for shady areas, hosta grows well under deciduous trees, in borders, and as a ground cover. Foliage height ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet, with taller flower spikes appearing in early to mid summer. Foliage colors range from chartreuse to deep blue-green, and many varieties have striking variegation. Flower colors include white and lavender; some flowers have a sweet scent. Because hosta is a favored food of slugs, snails, and deer, control measures may be required.

Special Features

Easy care/low maintenance
Multiplies readily
Unusual foliage

Site Selection

Select a site with light to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Planting Instructions

Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly.

Care

Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. After the first killing frost, cut plant back to an inch or two above soil line. Divide plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps.

 Wavy - Leaved Hosta

Snapdragons

Snapdragon is an annual flower that children love because they can snap open the flowers like puppets. Snapdragons endure cool weather and are widely planted for winter flower colors in mild-winter areas. The fragrant flowers of the Snapdragon make great fresh flower bouquets and they make nice dried flowers as well. Snapdragons are a favorite flower of both Butterflies and Hummingbirds and they are Deer resistant!


Scientific name: Antirrhinum majus


Description: Snapdragons uniformly bear a whorl of flowers atop slender stalks. The best known are ones with snappable flowers, but others have open-faced flowers including double forms. Colors include white, yellow, burgundy, red, pink, orange, and bronze.



How to grow: Plant in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Grow in full sun. Space tall varieties 12 inches apart, small varieties 6 inches apart. Pinch tips of young plants to encourage branching. For cool season bloom, plant snapdragons in September.
Snapdragon plants resent drought conditions so keep them moderately watered.
Once established, feed monthly with a balanced 10-10-10  fertilizer  Be sure to remove spent blooms regularly to induce continued flowers.


Propagation: Germination takes an average of eight days at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For early bloom, sow seeds indoors six to eight weeks before setting outdoors after last frost.
Uses: Use the tall varieties for the back of the floral border and for cut flowers. Short varieties are good in borders and as edgings.

Growing Snapdragons from Seed

Snapdragon seeds can be sown directly into the garden after the soil warms, but for the best results they should be started indoor  6-8 weeks before planting them outdoors.
Snapdragon seeds require light for germination so
 DO NOT COVER THEM!
Keep the temperature within the growing medium at 70°-75°
Germination will take place within 10-14 days