Hisbicus Flowers Planting In Your Home

First, the uneatable flora. In Bahasa Malaysia, plants on tyres does not mean the cute part of a workshop enveloped by delicate petals. When a passage police officer warns you that there are "no plants" on your tyres, he is actually adage the tyres are so gravely worn that he himself cannot see the tread patterns anymore. Oh, oh! You are in problem with the Malaysian transfer law.

At the end of a fiscal year, employees look forwards to "flora" from Malaysian bosses. Most doubtless, a more month's bonus of salary is as wonderful as plants in their eyes. The same thought applies to "flora" given by the banks, in this suit, it is the fascinate. The blessed employee who receives "plants" from his boss and mound can allow to buy "flaming flora." He ignites the fuse of a "heated flower" to propel it shooting high up into the sky where it blossoms into a large parade of fireworks.

As with other cultures, the female gender is considered a figurative flower in Bahasa Malaysia. A teenage lass is a "bud" who quickly matures into "a flower in the garden" sense she is specific and available to be chosen as a partner. If a man chooses her to be "the flower adorning" his fuzz, he marries her. By with beauty harvest flooding the Malaysian souk, a married lady doesn't have to go out of influence after having children. She could still be "the flower" of a community gathering, that is, the fairest of them all.

A splendid party episode such as a Malay wedding calls for "assorted flowers." Various flowers are diverse with frayed grass of pandanus, forcible skinned emerald and cologne in a small basket. This basket is sited in the bridal chamber and smoked with enrage. Imagine the smell that fills up the scope. Replicas flanked the newlyweds of coconut blossoms as they sit together on a stand fit for a queen. A gift of "egg flower" is given to the guests to a Malay wedding. Traditionally, it is made by inserting the hunt of artificial flower to an egg. A fresh way of making "egg flower" these days is to hang the egg in an attractive way on the stem of a flower.

The flower with the strangest identity is the public flower of Malaysia, , the hibiscus. From here, we are talking about ripe flowers. The Malays boiled roots of the pasty hibiscus to cure a extend of diseases such as flu, eye and skin ailments. Chinese worn hibiscus juice to colour their hairs while the Portuguese used it to colour their shoes. In scrutiny of its usefulness and grand national position, it is strange there forefront that "hibiscus" also refers to an immoral female in Bahasa Malaysia!

Folks who passion wretched cheese should be able to understand Malaysians' attachment to their unhappy-colour rice salad and desserts.

To read about pruning hibiscus and growing hibiscus, visit the Hibiscus Care site.

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How To Get Rid Of Insert On Hisbicus Flowers

A deciduous hierarchy is scenic most of the year. People tumble in love with numerous types of deciduous foliage because of the way that the foliage seem to come vivacious during the months of leap. A deciduous hierarchy, which has been bare all iciness long, will flower into the handsome shadows green flush. The color can be termed a seeker green or a little lighter. As the deciduous hierarchy blossoms so does the surrounding environment. Flowers flower as the environment seems to be renewed from a frost's long respite.

After the skip and summer months, as the seasons change to drop, the deciduous hierarchy's foliage will fork from a red, to a golden, to a carroty to a shade of russet before the foliage shed. This is an amazing display to witness as the deciduous ranking seems to be painting a glorious picture across the countryside. Many people will take tours of a deciduous jungle during the plunge spell. After the deciduous ranking changes insignia the ranking sheds its foliage in preparation for the chill months.

There are several; insects that can show to be lethal to a deciduous hierarchy. The gypsy moth is a brand of insect that can is a lethal killer. The gypsy moth has been known to slay as many as a million acres of forests per year. This is a notorious insect whose dent is seen for living and living. The gypsy moth will lay concealed expert-colored eggs in gigantic masses as the leaves emerge during the months of spring. The hungry larvae will hastily slaughter the deciduous ranking. There are preventive measures that can be taken that guarantee this will not ensue.

The emerald ash tooled is a typeface of insect that can be described as an exotic, forest-boring insect. This insect has been known to eradicate millions of ash grass. The emerald ash tool lay larvae on the ash tree. The hungry larvae will nosh on the bark of the tree. If the feedings are big enough then the maggot will slaughter the limbs of the tree. The leads to the eventual belt of the tree.

The longhorn insect bradawl is a lettering of insect that was first found in Brooklyn, New York. The adult insects lay eggs in the open bark of the deciduous tree. The larvae then tire large galleries serious into the timber of the tree. The feeding galleries are what disrupt the vascular functioning of the deciduous leaves. The disruptions causes the deciduous tree eventually to become so weak that the tree will accident distant and die.

One last insect that should be mentioned is the elm bark insect. The elm barked beetle is known to swell Dutch elm disease. This insect is on the "nastiest" file of insect species. The Dutch elm disease mildewed butter to well trees by the beetling transmitting spores from the diseased tree to the well tree. Another way in which the disease can be daub is through tightly spaced delve grafting. The bark beetle has been known to slay thousands of elm trees which are part of the deciduous tree family.

Want to find out about hibiscus plant and hibiscus tea? Get tips from the Hibiscus Care website.

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Affordable Wedding Flower Solutions

Even though flowers don't last very long, they're an integral part of any wedding. Unfortunately, if your heart is set on a cascading bouquet of roses, you might be shocked to find out how much the bouquet and other wedding arrangements will cost. However, it is possible to reduce this expense without compromising on the quality you receive.

Obtaining Cheap Flowers

Fortunately, there are a number of places where budget-minded brides can find cheap flowers. Supermarkets offer roses, carnations, and many other popular flowers, as do local farmers markets and farms in your area. You can also find great deals by purchasing your flowers online through a discount floral supplier. Of course, if you plan to choose this route, it's best to buy some test flowers a few weeks before the wedding. This will give you a chance to make sure that the vendor will provide you with suitable flowers for your special day.

The Advantage of Seasonal Flowers

Roses, calla lilies and orchids are some of the most popular flowers used for weddings. However, if you plan your wedding for a month when these flowers aren't in bloom locally, you'll pay a premium to have them shipped in to you. When you start planning your floral arrangements, ask a local florist which flowers will be available locally on your wedding date, and which flowers area cheapest overall. You may find that a bouquet of tulips or irises will be just as beautiful, but far less expensive.

Hobbyist Flower Arrangers

If you decide to purchase floral stems on your own, you'll need to find a way to arrange them into bouquets and table decorations. Creative-minded brides may be able to arrange their own flowers, or you may be able to find a local florist who's willing to help you. It might also be helpful to see if there are members of your community that teach flower arranging courses. They may be able to refer you to former class members or others hobby florists in the community with a special knack for floral design.

Flower Delivery

One major downside to doing your own flowers is that you'll need to make arrangements to have the flowers delivered to the church and set up. Don't plan to do this yourself, as you'll be too busy getting ready yourself to attend to these details. You may want to ask a member of your bridal party to organize the transportation of the flowers, or pay a family member a small fee to orchestrate the delivery. Just be sure to find out when you can access the facilities to set up your flowers before arranging these details.

If you've read through magazines dedicated to weddings, you've probably come across numerous pictures of floral bouquets and arrangements. As you learn about which flowers are fashionable for a particular season, you may also want to consider which ones best fit your budget. If possible, consider buying the flowers on your own, and then finding someone to arrange and deliver them. Of course, while you'll save money this way, you'll also need to consider timing and your personal tastes and preferences.

The author writes about wedding ideas at a site where couples can get ideas for a cheap wedding, http://WeddingsAffordable.com This article is free for republishing

South Africa's Spring Flowers

The changing seasons each bring with them their own unique range of flowers. These flowers are a reflection of the changes that happens both in nature and our moods as we adjust to the offerings of a new season.

You can find a variety of seasonal flowers any time of year that will make a unique arrangement to brighten someone's day, especially in spring.

When spring is in the air, it comes with a wide assortment of flowers to choose from! Spring symbolises the time of rebirth, hope and love; the most common colours associated with spring are generally white, yellow and pale blue. Therefore it would make sense that the international flowers of spring are tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

The South African Spring Time
Spring in South Africa is a spectacle to behold. Spring Day in South Africa is celebrated each year on the 1st of September. Gifts of beautiful flower bouquets that welcome the coming of spring, and of course the warm summer months ahead, are often given around this time. The atmosphere is abuzz with joy and happiness and the colours are bright and fresh.

One of the most glorious events in the South African spring season happens in the Northern Cape Province in an area known as Namaqualand. During spring, this arid semi-desert area transforms into a quilt-laden field of wild flowers not likely to be seen anywhere else. Flowers such as aloes, daisies, lilies and perennial herbs are amongst some of the 4,000 different species that spring to life during this brief period of time. Thousands of people, including a number of photographers, flock to Namaqualand for this beautiful occasion.

Spring flowers
Flowers that are found most commonly during the spring season include:
Agapanthus, Amaryllis, Anemone, Bird of Paradise, Brodea, Calla Lily, Corn Flower, Cosmose, Dahlia, Delphinium, Freesia, Heather, Helleborus, Hollyhock, Hyacinth, Larkspur, Casa Blanca Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Stargazer, Liatrus, Lisianthus, Narcissus, Orchid, Peach Blossom, Peony, Phlox, Poppy, Protea, Tortured Willow, Ranunculus, Rose, Seeded Eucalyptus, Solidago, Statice, Stock, Strelitzia, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Viburnum, Wax Flower, Zinnia.

The wide choice of spring flowers, including South Africa's national flower the Strelitzia, gives you the best opportunity to celebrate the South African spring time! So why not share this celebration by sending a loved one or even a friend a beautiful bouquet of some of South Africa's most appreciated flowers in this season of love and renewal.

Author Bio:
Interflora is a professional flower and gift delivery service in South Africa with a wide range of beautiful spring flowers.

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Different Types of Popular Flower Gifts

Flowers are very popular as gifts. They are being used as gift items for a very long time. On all occasions flowers are given and taken as the most common gift items. In their different forms flowers are attracting people. Especially woman are crazy for beautiful flowers and their beauty. Most often they want to decorate themselves and increase their beauty with help of flowers.

Different Flower Gifts

Flower Arrangements – Flower arrangements in different forms are a popular object for gifting purposes to loved ones on all happy occasions. Florists often try to lure maximum number of customers through their attractive arrangements of flowers. The arrangements look more beautiful with their attractive flower pots and cases. No matter what is the occasion, you can always find a suitable flower arrangement specially made for you and customized to your special needs. You will feel delighted by the beauty and elegance of the flower arrangements and the recipients will feel themselves lucky after receiving wonderful flower arrangements.

Flower Bouquets – Flower bouquets are the most popular gifts for occasions like birthday, wedding and anniversaries. You can see every guest coming with a flower bouquet in such ceremonies. All florists make special bouquets to fulfill the increasing demand of people during the wedding and festive season like Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day. Roses, Lilies, Carnations and daisies are most popular flowers used in making attractive and beautiful flower bouquets. The most important thing is the packaging of bouquets that make them even more appealing with their added attraction.

Flower Buds – Flowers are the most important form of displaying the symbolic beauty of nature. Even if it is presented alone, it transfers same set of emotions and feelings from the presenter to recipients. Especially among the youths the tradition of presenting flower buds are very popular. They never loose any chance of celebrations with flowers. Be it Valentine's Day, Rose Day or Friendship Day, modern day youths are always crazy about different kind of flowers. You can watch them presenting flowers according to their individual attributes to their loved ones.

Not only love birds use flower buds for expressing their heartiest desires in front of their partners, but kids also present these flower buds to their parents on occasion like Father's Day and Mother's Day. Therefore nothing can override the importance of distinct set of flowers and gifts made of different flowers in a human's life.

Rideau Florist Toronto is a local Toronto florist. Send flowers & gifts the same day in Toronto area. Find premium quality flowers at affordable prices. For more information please visit: http://www.rideaufloristtoronto.ca

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Wedding Day Flowers - How to Create wedding flowers of your dreams

To get started with picking the flowers get ideas from magazines, friends and family. Start looking at the colours you and your partner would like to include and make a collage of images that reflect the time of flowers you would like.

If your budget is quite large check with your florist to see if they can supply the flowers for two or three of the venues which means you will be surrounded by the same theme of your chosen wedding flowers all day long which will make a very happy memory and your photographs will also reflect this effort.

If you think you´d hate to part with your bouquet at the end of the day, plan ahead. Make up a small bouquet that is perhaps a smaller version of the official bridal bouquet and use it on the guest book or gift table. At the end of the day, this will be the one that you toss it to the women who will all be desperate to catch it, and after you spent money on your wedding flowers it will be a shame to give them away so easily!

If you are having more than one bridesmaid the cost starts to stack up, you have the dress to buy for them, a present, hair and makeup as well as flowers to compliment your bouquet. Try making your own bridesmaid flowers but you will need to do a bit of ground work for preparation. The preparation work you should do is to work out where you are going to buy the flowers from, can you organise this with your local florist or are you best to go wholesale? Other items that are essential when flower arranging for weddings are hat pins, string and material to cover stems with.

If you want something special then go for a wedding florist who has previously portrayed some bodies dream wedding flowers well in the past, such as past clients testimonials, these come in really handy if its neck and neck between two florists or you don´t know anyone personally who has worked with the florist before.

A number of florists will actively display the venues in which they have worked at before. This is because when they work a venue they get a feel for it and are able to customise your designs to make it fit the style of the room which means your glorious wedding flowers will look great.
Elvet Flowers is a wedding flowers in Durham , specialising in Wedding Florist North East. Mancala Technology are specialist in SEO Newcastle .

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What do the flowers you send mean? The mythical meaning of flowers

Sending flowers to someone is a delicate matter. It is not the same to send flowers to your friend, to your mother, to your lover or best of all, to your enemies. Flowers are a true expression of emotion; in times of sadness and sorrow, people purchase flowers to show their support and sympathy. Other people pick them up from fields, gardens or from their neighbor's house. Deciding which flowers will be the most appropriate can be very difficult. In order to choose the right ones, we need to know a little bit about the person who is going to receive them. And also about the flower itself, its origins and the myths associated with it. This is essential to communicate your feelings by sending flowers.

There are some mythical flowers that due the nature of their origin posses charismatic powers, such as the Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeriaceae). Many people often mistake this flower for an orchid, but it is not related to the lily or the orchid. Dutch flower breeders hybridized the Peruvian Lily as a garden flower and cut flower in the 20th century due to its 10 lovely and bright colors that can be seen in each stem. A contrasting combination of yellows, pinks, oranges, purples, and whites makes a the flower beautifully unique

Another mythical flower is a Larkspur (Delphinium belladonna). According to myth this species has its origin during the ancient battle at Troy. The legend says that the armor of a soldier was given to Ulysses instead of Ajax. Then he killed himself and the blood that ran from his sword blossomed into a Larkspur. The botanic name for this flower is "Delphinium belladonna" which in Ancient Greek means dolphin for the shape of it. This flower contains a beautiful mixture of bluish colors: purple, blue, pink and lavender. Many parts of this beautiful plant contain an alkaloid that it is very poisonous and harmful if eaten. It can cause death if eaten in large amounts. So we have to be careful what we do with this exotic plant.

The Daffodil, narcissus, jonquil (Narcissus) is a mythical yellow and white flower with 6 petals and the shape of a star. Greek mythology tells us how this flower came to be born. The narcissus, its botanic name, is associated with our Greek hero Narcissus, who took his name because of his beauty and pride. Narcissus had a twin sister who he fall in love with and when she died he was seeing her in his own reflection in the water. Narcissus' beauty was unique and comparable only to gods such us Bacchus or Apollo. This flower grows mainly in the Mediterranean area but it can also be found in many parts of Asia. Flower breeders have managed to develop a double and even a triple row of petals which make this flower look like a golden ball.

A very peculiar named flower is the Mum, pompon or spider mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium). Chinese mythology tells us a bit about the main qualities of this beautiful flower, which has been cultivated for more than twenty five hundred years. The Chinese use it to elaborate wine and medicines. They believed that the mum gave longevity and strength, and therefore it was a very precious flower to develop. Botanically speaking it belongs to the family of the Chrysanthemum, which in Latin means cheerfulness and optimism. In Japan there is a festival of happiness to commemorate this flower. Even NASA was studying this plant among others in order to clean air in space stations due to its quality of absorbing carbon dioxide and transforming it into oxygen. In addition to this our chrysanthemum can photosynthesized well with very little light.

Another mythical flower is the Iris (Iridaceae). The Greeks called this flower a messenger of God, the personification of a rainbow. Egyptians also painted this exotic flower on a temple in the year 1479 BC and Louis VII used it in his banner crusade, getting the name of "fleur of Louis." The French translation for the flower of Louis later became the fleur of lis. A well known symbol for Romans, Egyptians and Moors, the Victorians give it the meaning of hope and power. The myths say that the iris links the gods to humans. This plant can be found in a wide variety of environments, including cold regions and hot desserts of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The iris has a very peculiar shape that expands from a narrow base to a wide top with three petals making a symmetrical shape. The flower has a characteristic way of pollinating that allows insects to enter and pollinate the flower without rubbing off the pollen into the stigma of the same flower.

Above we have described a few popular flowers to gift, a little bit about their origins, their relation to humans, and their various qualities. So next time you're going to give flowers to someone, think carefully about what sort of message you would you like to send. Whether you want to express love, sympathy, fear or beauty, there is always a flower that will suit your needs. It is a matter of knowing them just a little bit better in order to express what you want to say.

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A Wild Flower Garden

A wild-flower garden has a most attractive sound. One thinks of long tramps in the woods, collecting material, and then of the fun in fixing up a real for sure wild garden.

Many people say they have no luck at all with such a garden. It is not a question of luck, but a question of understanding, for wild flowers are like people and each has its personality. What a plant has been accustomed to in Nature it desires always. In fact, when removed from its own sort of living conditions, it sickens and dies. That is enough to tell us that we should copy Nature herself. Suppose you are hunting wild flowers. As you choose certain flowers from the woods, notice the soil they are in, the place, conditions, the surroundings, and the neighbours.
Suppose you find dog-tooth violets and wind-flowers growing near together. Then place them so in your own new garden. Suppose you find a certain violet enjoying an open situation; then it should always have the same. You see the point, do you not? If you wish wild flowers to grow in a tame garden make them feel at home. Cheat them into almost believing that they are still in their native haunts.

Wild flowers ought to be transplanted after blossoming time is over. Take a trowel and a basket into the woods with you. As you take up a few, a columbine, or a hepatica, be sure to take with the roots some of the plant's own soil, which must be packed about it when replanted.
The bed into which these plants are to go should be prepared carefully before this trip of yours. Surely you do not wish to bring those plants back to wait over a day or night before planting. They should go into new quarters at once. The bed needs soil from the woods, deep and rich and full of leaf mold. The under drainage system should be excellent. Then plants are not to go into water-logged ground. Some people think that all wood plants should have a soil saturated with water. But the woods themselves are not water-logged. It may be that you will need to dig your garden up very deeply and put some stone in the bottom. Over this the top soil should go. And on top, where the top soil once was, put a new layer of the rich soil you brought from the woods.
Before planting water the soil well. Then as you make places for the plants put into each hole some of the soil which belongs to the plant which is to be put there.

I think it would be a rather nice plan to have a wild-flower garden giving a succession of bloom from early spring to late fall; so let us start off with March, the hepatica, spring beauty and saxifrage. Then comes April bearing in its arms the beautiful columbine, the tiny bluets and wild geranium. For May there are the dog-tooth violet and the wood anemone, false Solomon's seal, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wake robin, bloodroot and violets. June will give the bellflower, mullein, bee balm and foxglove. I would choose the gay butterfly weed for July. Let turtle head, aster, Joe Pye weed, and Queen Anne's lace make the rest of the season brilliant until frost.
Let us have a bit about the likes and dislikes of these plants. After you are once started you'll keep on adding to this wild-flower list.

There is no one who doesn't love the hepatica. Before the spring has really decided to come, this little flower pokes its head up and puts all else to shame. Tucked under a covering of dry leaves the blossoms wait for a ray of warm sunshine to bring them out. These embryo flowers are further protected by a fuzzy covering. This reminds one of a similar protective covering which new fern leaves have. In the spring a hepatica plant wastes no time on getting a new suit of leaves. It makes its old ones do until the blossom has had its day. Then the new leaves, started to be sure before this, have a chance. These delayed, are ready to help out next season. You will find hepaticas growing in clusters, sort of family groups. They are likely to be found in rather open places in the woods. The soil is found to be rich and loose. So these should go only in partly shaded places and under good soil conditions. If planted with other woods specimens give them the benefit of a rather exposed position, that they may catch the early spring sunshine. I should cover hepaticas over with a light litter of leaves in the fall. During the last days of February, unless the weather is extreme take this leaf covering away. You'll find the hepatica blossoms all ready to poke up their heads.

The spring beauty hardly allows the hepatica to get ahead of her. With a white flower which has dainty tracings of pink, a thin, wiry stem, and narrow, grass-like leaves, this spring flower cannot be mistaken. You will find spring beauties growing in great patches in rather open places. Plant a number of the roots and allow the sun good opportunity to get at them. For this plant loves the sun.

The other March flower mentioned is the saxifrage. This belongs in quite a different sort of environment. It is a plant which grows in dry and rocky places. Often one will find it in chinks of rock. There is an old tale to the effect that the saxifrage roots twine about rocks and work their way into them so that the rock itself splits. Anyway, it is a rock garden plant. I have found it in dry, sandy places right on the borders of a big rock. It has white flower clusters borne on hairy stems.

The columbine is another plant that is quite likely to be found in rocky places. Standing below a ledge and looking up, one sees nestled here and there in rocky crevices one plant or more of columbine. The nodding red heads bob on wiry, slender stems. The roots do not strike deeply into the soil; in fact, often the soil hardly covers them. Now, just because the columbine has little soil, it does not signify that it is indifferent to the soil conditions. For it always has lived, and always should live, under good drainage conditions. I wonder if it has struck you, how really hygienic plants are? Plenty of fresh air, proper drainage, and good food are fundamentals with plants.

It is evident from study of these plants how easy it is to find out what plants like. After studying their feelings, then do not make the mistake of huddling them all together under poor drainage conditions.

I always have a feeling of personal affection for the bluets. When they come I always feel that now things are beginning to settle down outdoors. They start with rich, lovely, little delicate blue blossoms. As June gets hotter and hotter their colour fades a bit, until at times they look quite worn and white. Some people call them Quaker ladies, others innocence. Under any name they are charming. They grow in colonies, sometimes in sunny fields, sometimes by the road-side. From this we learn that they are more particular about the open sunlight than about the soil.
If you desire a flower to pick and use for bouquets, then the wild geranium is not your flower. It droops very quickly after picking and almost immediately drops its petals. But the purplish flowers are showy, and the leaves, while rather coarse, are deeply cut. This latter effect gives a certain boldness to the plant that is rather attractive. The plant is found in rather moist, partly shaded portions of the woods. I like this plant in the garden. It adds good colour and permanent colour as long as blooming time lasts, since there is no object in picking it.

There are numbers and numbers of wild flowers I might have suggested. These I have mentioned were not given for the purpose of a flower guide, but with just one end in view your understanding of how to study soil conditions for the work of starting a wild-flower garden.
If you fear results, take but one or two flowers and study just what you select. Having mastered, or better, become acquainted with a few, add more another year to your garden. I think you will love your wild garden best of all before you are through with it. It is a real study, you see.

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About sulamita berrezi:
Sulamita is the developer of Wallpapers Sfondi, Sulamita also has a video olimpiadi nuoto.

Become an Urban Farmer

Anyone can be a farmer. Growing plants can be done almost anywhere. You don't have to have large fields and hundreds of acres. You have to have imagination. People who grow dope do it in cellars and in caves. Select plants to raise that that you see being sold in quanity by local nurseries or garden centers. In our area arborvitae are in hot demand. These plants can be started from cuttings or you can buy rooted cuttings. Thousands can be grown in a 20'x20' area in small containers. Arborvitae are not the only plants that you can choose. Dwarf conifers and bonsai are other avenues to consider. The first thing to consider is what plants you like. They make a nice starting point. I like arborvitae. Plus they are easy to grow. There are many varieties to select from. They are compact and very popular. A 2-3" rooted cutting in 3 years should be 2' if growing conditions are optimal. These might sell for as much as $5-10 depending on your market and quality. If you were to raise 1000 of them that might be $5-10,000. You can market them just as I do on the internet. Being small you can ship them via UPS practically anywhere.

An example of a plant that is not suitable for small plot urban farming is an Oak tree. It is very fast in growing (good), but has a big tap root, and is best marketed when over 6-8' tall. You will use up your space with a hard to confine, large tree that is not suitable for close compact container production. Shipping will also be more costly as starter plants tend to be larger hence larger shipping fees per tree. Besides I have sold many people 50 -100 arbs at a time but no one, 100 oaks at a time. My largest order for arbs to one homeowner was 265.

Try to target plants that will sell multiples to a customer rather than just one at a time. If you target single plants to individual customers you need high value plants for your sales cost per unit will be higher. You will hear the same story from your customers about 1 plant as you will about 10 plants. I can tell you without a doubt that each customer will tell you about his property and his neighbors dog. I would rather hear the story once for each 10 plants that I sell. That is why I like plants that sell in multiples to a single customer. Additionally an unusual or exotic plant is seldom purched in quanity and the buyer has little knowledge of the plant. They will have many more questions about this plant. This translates to a higher amount of time spent on a smaller volume of product sold.

Arborvitae are commonly used evergreen shrubs or trees useful in urban areas where low maintenance and durability is needed. Many cultivars with forms such as being globed in shape, columnar, or narrow pyramidal, tend to be near buildings, doors, and walkways. Other forms which are larger are used for screens and buffers that are planted in rows. These plants will be easy to raise on your small urban lot.

The form of arborvitae is small, medium, or large depending on the cultivar. Some reach 50', others only 3'. Most prefer full sun to partial sun. Planting in dense shade conditions should be avoided. A moist , well drained, loamy soil in full sunlight are ideal conditions for growing healthy arborvitae. These plants will tolerate rocky, clay, urban conditions of heat drought and pollution. The most important pest we have is bagworms which must be controlled to prevent complete defoliation. Some cultivars have multiple leaders which also prove to be a detraction for the plant. Pruning out multiple leaders in some cultivars is a simple remeady.

As you raise these plants if you find that you are selling more than you can raise on your property, an add in the newspaper such as, "Wanted: land to grow trees on" will help you find vacant parcels to use in growing more stock. This land may be free to use as many owners want in urban areas land to be used as it is then maintained. We have had many offers of free land to use in raising nursery stock. (You should check with your local BTK Code Enforcement Officer to make sure that this use is acceptable.)

Another suggestion is that you work for another local urban grower. They may have facilities set up that they would allow you to use after hours. When they see that you are a willing go getter, they might even ask you to grow special plants that they don't want to grow because the volumes are light or they are to intensive in labor. At any rate it is the best way to learn the trede and its secrets. Most nurserymen will tell all their trade secrets because its the best way to help the industry and build a network of reliable and knowledgeable associates.

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About b hirst:
You can see more articles by Bill at his web sites www.seedlingsrus.com and www.zone5trees.com

A Garden For All Seasons

All great gardens have one thing in common. That is, they offer something during each of the four seasons. Through spring and summer the colorful flowers of perennials, annuals and flowering trees and shrubs are the focal point in the garden. Once the summer flowers begin to fade, the brilliant, colorful foliage of autumn brightens the garden. In the winter, it's the evergreens, berries and bark which provide the garden with color as the form and shape of the plants become more prominent.

Green is the dominant color in the garden in the spring as everything seems to be rapidly putting out new growth. The bulbs and perennials which do flower in the early spring do so against a backdrop of green foliage and brown earth. Bulbs are earliest blooming plants in the garden and are essential to the spring landscape. Some bulbs will even provide color until more perennials begin to bloom in May and June.

Early flowering perennials such as iris range in color from white to yellow to purple and in size from a few inches to 4 feet. For spring foliage, plant some hosta, they grow in a wide variety of greens, from blue-green to yellow-green and they're the perfect backdrop plant for the spring flowers.

Perennial borders peak in mid summer as a wide range of sun-loving flowers begin to bloom. Part of the mix include some leftovers from spring and, towards the end of summer, there are signs of the later blooming flowers as well. Annuals are also in full bloom mid-summer. Though most have finished flowering, fully leafed out shrubs can add a lushness to the garden.

A third wave of blooms begin brighten up the garden once again as the summer flowers begin to fade. The colors in the garden begin to change a bit in the fall with many perennials blooming in shades of yellow, orange and purple. Among these flowers are the annuals, which continue to flower until the first frost. Later in the season, the flowers, especially those of the sedum and black-eyed Susan, turn into brown and rust colored seed heads. They fit in perfectly with the colorful fall foliage of the surrounding trees. The foliage of the late season perennial is attractive on its own.

Once the blooms of the these flowers fade deciding whether to cut them back is up to the individual gardener. Some perennials will collapse to the ground anyways while others will remain standing though the winter with their showy seed heads creating off season interest in the garden.

Winter, the season in which many gardeners forget about the landscape, can offer color and visual interest through evergreen shrubs, bark, plant form and seed heads. For example, a clump of ornamental grass could be left standing through the winter. Redtwig dogwoods are great against the snow and birch trees have colorful, flaking bark. The winter landscape truly would be empty with the hardy evergreen trees and shrubs. Garden walls and fences become more prominent as the foliage which screens them in the summer disappears. Hedges, as well as walls, make a stronger statement in winter.

With some careful planning, it is possible to have a beautiful garden year round. Even in winter, when everything seems to be stark and barren. A few choice shrubs or trees can provide winter interest and a well thought out garden can flower from early spring until the first frost.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About R Birch:
R Birch is the publisher of www.gardenlistings.com . For information on all kinds of garden projects visit www.GardenListings.com/Resources.htm

Aerated Compost Tea, The New Organic Fertilizer

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now, there's something even better and that's compost tea. If you start with a good compost you'll have a versatile elixir for all your garden needs.
Compost tea helps prevent foliage diseases and at the same time increase the nutrients to the plant and shutdown the toxins hurting the plants. It will improve the taste/flavor of your vegetables. So why not give this tea a try either by buying it or brewing it yourself. You won't believe the results!

Four ways that good bacteria work:

Help compete for the nutrients

Dine on the bad varmits

Help produce antibiotics to use against the varmits.

They shove the bad varmits out.

Compost tea that is correctly brewed has a wealth of microorganisms that will benefit your plants' growth and health as well as the soil that they live in. Compost tea can be considered yogurt for the soil. The microorganisms living there are both good and bad. What the tea does is make sure the good guys win by introducing helpful bacteria, fungi, protozoa and beneficial nematodes.

Harmful bacteria lives best in soil that does not have good air circulation. Good bacteria lives best and will thrive in soil that is well ventilated with oxygen. This is where a good compost tea, made the right way, comes in. When you have well oxygenated compost you automatically get rid of 3/4 of the bad varmits. Also by using harmful insecticides or chemical fertilizers we reduce the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

Plants produce their own energy and food and half of that goes to the roots and some of that goes into the surrounding soil and guess who gets that? Correct, the good guys, and then it turns into a beneficial cycle.

The following is taken from the internet and shows compost tea is becoming a force in gardening.

National Organic Standards Board Compost Tea Task Force Report April 6, 2004 Introduction In 2003, the National Organic Standards Board convened a Compost Tea Task Force to review the relevant scientific data and report their recommendations on ‘What constitutes a reasonable use of compost tea?’ The Task Force was composed of 13 individuals with knowledge and expertise in organic farming practices, organic certification, EPA pathogen regulations, compost, compost tea production and analysis, plant pathology, food safety and environmental microbiology.

Throughout their discussions, members consistently acknowledged the growing interest among certified organic and conventional growers to use compost teas, and the need to develop effective biologically-based tools to manage plant fertility, pests, and diseases.

A primary reason for producing compost tea is to transfer microbial biomass, fine particulate organic matter, and soluble chemical components of compost into an aqueous phase that can be applied to plant surfaces and soils in ways not possible or economically feasible with solid compost.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About James Ellison:
This article is provided courtesy of Basic Info for Organic Gardening Use the article but leave author box intact.

What IS Compost?

Composting is a degradation process brought about by bacteria and fungus organisms. Large amounts of organic kitchen, garden, lawn, and/or farm refuse can be reduced in a relatively short time to a pile of black, crumbly humus which makes an ideal soil conditioner.

Compost added regularly to soil will certainly benefit the soil. The soil's structure will improve, since humus contains substances which cause aggregation (sticking together) of soil particles. In a clay soil this means that the microscopic individual particles will be clumped together and more air spaces will be opened up between clumps. Without these air spaces the clay particles stick tightly to each other, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier to water and gases. This is why clay is so sticky when it is wet and hard when dry.

In sandy soils, the large sand particles are clumped with humus too, the humus adding its nutrient- and moisture-holding capacity. Normally, water and nitrogen fertilizers leach quickly from sandy soil, making it necessary to add them frequently.

A less widely recognized benefit from compost is that it contains humic and other organic acids which help to degrade compounds naturally present in the soil into the simpler form that plants use. These elements, or ions, can then be held by the humus particles, which contain many ion exchange sites on their surfaces. The ions are released into soil water, and plant roots are able to take them up.

Because there are so many ion exchange sites on humus particles, humus increases the buffering capacity of the soil. This condition helps to prevent rapid leaching of lime and nutrients as well as reducing the effects of over-liming and over-fertilizing. For example, when a soil's pH is increased too much by adding too many wood ashes, the most economical way to correct the condition is generally to add compost, which will absorb (take up on the surface) the extra ions that produce the high pH. (compost itself is somewhat acid because of the acidic products made by microorganisms.) In other words, compost buffers the effects of other soil additives.

Compost and other organic matter turns the soil dark brown or blackish and increases heat-absorbing capabilities to a small extent. Compost reduces soil erosion because it allows water to percolate into lower soil layers, rather than puddle on top and then run off. This quality also reduces crusting of soil. Compost provides food for earthworms, soil insects, and microorganisms, many of which will, over the years, help balance the populations of less desirable soil fauna. Mycorrhizal fungi, which have been proven to benefit plants through their association with plant roots, are also prolific in high humus soil. Finally, the products from the breakdown of plant and animal refuse contain many fertilizing elements in and of themselves, including trace elements not available from commonly used synthetic fertilizers.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Jodi Reichenberger:
Organic Composting Want to learn more about about how soil affects plant growth? Want to find out how to adjust the ph of your soil? Garden Simply has an entire master's course just for you! Find it at Sustainable Organic Gardening
Composting Blog

How to Transplant Irises

In my experience, irises are among the easiest flowers to transplant.

One spring many years ago, an older friend of mine dug up an iris bed at her home. They were bearded irises -- a lovely shade of lilac purple -- and she moved some of them to a different location. The irises had already started to grow and were about four inches high. She didn't know what to do with the remaining irises, so she put them in a box, intending to give them away.

As it turned out, the irises remained in the box for more than two weeks. By now, she didn't feel she could give them away because she didn't think they would grow. I offered to take the irises and plant them, just to see what would happen.

The irises were not one bit bothered about being in a box for more than two weeks with no water and no dirt around their roots. I planted them, they started growing, and they're still going strong more than 25 years later.

In the past two decades, I have thinned out the irises and planted them in other locations. I have also found irises growing by old homesteads where no buildings remain (I live in rural Wisconsin) and have dug them up and transplanted them in my yard. Each year in early June, the irises bloom in a variety of colors: white, blue, yellow and purple.

Here's how to transplant irises:

1. Prepare the new flower bed where you intend to plant the irises.

2. Use a shovel to dig up the roots that you want to transplant. Irises have very tough root systems. If the irises are exceptionally thick, a trowel probably won't do the trick. Stick the shovel into the dirt among the irises and start digging. And don't worry about cutting the roots with the shovel. You won't be able to avoid it. Irises spread by their roots, so many of the plants will be connected. Even a short section of root stands an excellent chance of transplanting.

3. Dig holes with a trowel about four inches deep and eight to ten inches apart. Put the iris roots into the holes and cover with soil.

4. Water the transplanted irises thoroughly. For the remainder of the season, water the irises a couple of times each week, especially when rain is in short supply.

Observations about irises:

1. From what I have seen of the irises growing in my flower beds, they are tough plants that are quite drought resistant. Like any plant, they will do better when they receive plenty of water, but during years when it has been dry, they have still survived extremely well. And of course, the irises that I dug up from old homesteads didn't have any help at all during drought years, and *they* made it just fine.

2. The irises in my yard seem to do equally well in full sun or in partial shade.

3. Trimming the iris leaves after the plants are done blooming to give more room and more light to other plants nearby doesn't seem to bother the irises. For the past couple of years, I have trimmed irises growing next to my rose bush, and the following year, the irises have come back as strong as ever.

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About the Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the farm books "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm" and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam" (trade paperback 2004); http://ruralroute2.com

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Geranium Plants

The geranium that brightens your landscape with its brightly colored flowers may be one of two different species. If you successfully over-wintered your geranium, chances are it is an herbaceous perennial from the genus Geranium. However, most often the geraniums that delight us with their profuse blooms are from the genus Pelargonium.

The geranium, which originated in South Africa, made its entrance to the European continent in the 1600’s and has been propagated and hybridized ever since. Today the geranium is still among the most popular of the flowering plants. The geranium is a very adaptable flower that is suitable for beds and borders as well as hanging baskets and containers inside or outdoors!

Because there are so many types of geranium, it’s difficult to choose which is the most popular type to add to your landscape.

• The common or zonal geranium is typically sold as a bedding plant. They are a compact plant, some having very decorative, distinctly marked two and three colored leaves.
  
• Ivy leaved geraniums are perfect for window boxes and hanging baskets. Although flower petals are narrower and the blossoms less dense than other cultivars, the ivy leaved geranium is an attractive vining plant that can grow up to three feet long.
  
• Scented geraniums are used for making tea, potpourris and sachets. They are deceptively sweet and carry the fragrances of lemon, apple, rose, nutmeg, and peppermint. Although the flowers are small and some might say insignificant, the scented geranium is a wonderful way to add fragrance to your patio, porch… or kitchen!
  
• The mosquito geranium is also a scented geranium. Even if you haven’t grown it, chances are you have smelled its insect repelling scent. The mosquito geranium was hybrid especially for production of oil of citronella and frequently is sold at nurseries as the mosquito plant.

Geranium flowers come in white and all shades of pink and red. Many hybrids have bi-colored flowers and some hybrids bear salmon colored flowers. Easy care, in addition to being a favorite addition to your garden, geraniums also make an inexpensive and lovely gift for Easter, Mother’s Day and other special spring occasions.

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About the Author

Linda is author at Gardening Guides

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Poison Ivy allergies

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or formerly Rhus toxicodendron) is a climbing plant common in eastern and central United States with ternate leaves and greenish flowers followed by white berries; yields an irritating oil that causes a rash on contact.

Grows as a vine in the East, Midwest and South, it grows as a vine. In the far Northern and Western United States, Canada and around the Great Lakes, it grows as a shrub. Each leaf has three leaflets.

Poison ivy leaves are coated with a mixture of chemicals called urushiol. When people get urushiol on their skin, it causes an allergic contact dermatitis. This is a T cell-mediated immune response, also called delayed hypersensitivity, in which the body's immune system recognizes as foreign, and attacks, the complex of urushiol-derivatives with skin proteins. The irony is that urushiol, in the absence of the immune attack, would be harmless. The most common treatment for severe contact dermatitis is with corticosteroids, which diminish the immune attack and resulting inflammation. A recent recommendation for mild cases is to use manganese sulfate solution to reduce the itching.

Symptoms from a mild rash can sometimes be relieved by the following:

• Cool compresses with water or milk
• Calamine - A nonprescription lotion
• Aveeno oatmeal bath - A product you put in the bath to relieve itching
• Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

A poison ivy rash will usually begin to appear 1 to 2 days after coming in contact with urushiol. The affected area will get red and swollen. A day or so later, small blisters will begin to form, and the rash will become very itchy. During this time, it's important to try to keep from scratching the blisters. Bacteria from under your fingernails can get into the blisters and cause an infection. After about a week, the blisters will start to dry up and the rash will start to go away. In severe cases, where the poison ivy rash covers large parts of the body, it may last much longer.

Although it is often recommended that people learn to recognize the poison ivy plant ("Leaves of three, leave them be"), in practice, this is hard to do, since poison ivy and its relatives are often mixed in with other vegetation and not noticed until after the rash has begun. Keeping the skin covered in situations when exposure is hard to avoid is the best way to prevent the problem.

The clinical name for the skin irritation caused by Poison Ivy is Rhus Dermatitis . It usually starts as itching and small blisters within a few hours after exposure. Depending on how strong the exposure was and/or how sensitive the person is, that may be all there is to it. However, it may develop into an inflamed, swollen rash with open, weeping sores that persists for up to two weeks. Severe cases may require a visit to the doctor. Urushiol is absorbed into the skin within three minutes of exposure. If it is washed off quickly with dishwashing soap and water, the consequences will be less, but you are seldom close to a lavatory when you get exposed, so learning to recognize and avoid it is the best strategy.

Poison ivy rashes typically go away on their own within one to three weeks. In the meantime, you can use self-care methods and over-the-counter medications to relieve signs and symptoms. If the rash is widespread or results in a large number of blisters, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid, such as prednisone.

Using a weedeater to remove poison ivy will result in spraying your legs with poison ivy. If you are bare-legged and get scratches while splattered with sap from poison ivy, you may be headed to the emergency room.

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About the Author

Author Bio - Sander Bel writes articles for health care. He also writes for home remedy and get rid of stuffs.

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More Types Of Shrub To Use In Your Garden

Buddleia, the butterfly bush, is 16 feet or more if not killed back by winter, and gets its name from the fact that in the summer, butterflies are always seen around it. The buddleia takes many forms: as a small - leaved shrub with small purple flowers; as fascinating, a cattleya-pink bush; as flaming violet, a brilliant purple, and as white profusion, a dwarf variety with pure white flowers. Also the Empire blue shrub, the dubonnet, the red glory and white cloud.

Flowering quince (Cydonia) has roselike flowers and a scarlet bloom in spring. Japanese quince grows to 6 feet; has orange-scarlet flowers.

Deutzia is an easily grown shrub, pleasing for the many small flowers in spring. Types include the 2- to 3-foot pink deutzia, with its delicate flowers; the pride of Rochester, with large double white flowers, and Deutzia Lemoinei, which has large, pure white flowers.

Other shrubs are the dwarf buckeye, which blossoms in July with 12-inch spikes; the chokeberry bush, liked for its decorative fruit; broom, which grows in sandy places and blooms in June and July, and witch hazel, a shrub that grows to 20 feet and has spidery yellow flowers.

Forsythia is a welcome shrub because it needs little care; with its drooping sprays of yellow flowers, it is useful for softening the lines of walls.

Hibiscus blooms in August, a rarity, with flowers that are large and purple, or rose-pink or white. It grows to 12 feet if unpruned. Hydrangea, another shrub with large blossoms blooming in July and August, is a showy bush, with big blue globe-shaped clusters.

Honeysuckle bushes are useful for mass planting. Some varieties are especially enjoyable because they blossom in February and March. Several spirea varieties are found to be useful as screen plantings, particularly because of their dense growth and abundant flowering. Anthony Waterer spirea is a 2-foot bush with white or rose-pink clusters.

Bridal wreath has profuse white clusters in May. Spirea Thunbergii also has white flowers, and Spirea Vanhouttei, 8 feet high with dense white flowers, is used as a living fence.

Viburnum (the popular snowball) is 10 to 12 feet high at maturity and is used for high foundation, screening and hedges. It has white snowball-shaped flowers and foliage turns crimson in fall.

Weigela is popular, too, in many varieties, including the variegated weigela, a dwarf shrub with rose flowers and variegated silvery leaf. There is also Weigela rosea, with rosy trumpet-shaped flowers, and the new brilliant cardinal shrub.

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About the Author

Paul Curran is CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Trees-and-Bushes.com, providing access to their nursery supplier for a range of quality plants, trees, bushes, shrubs, seeds and garden products.Visit their shrubs section to find a great selection of shrubs for your garden

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Birthday Flowers

Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all have them and I'm willing to bet, all of your family members and friends have them too. Sometimes birthdays seem to roll around quickly. You can't believe it's been a whole year since you found the perfect gift for your cousin Susie, and now it's time to deliver again.

Whether the birthday boy or girl is a friend, lover or just an acquaintance, flowers can be ordered and designed to say just the right thing. Flowers have so much going for them, it's a wonder you haven't thought of this before!

Think of the blossoms as building blocks. Each has color, texture and form. They each have a personality and many have a tradition. The rose is elegant and says love. The carnation is sturdy and says you can count on me. The orchid is exotic and dares you to dream.

Next, think of your florist as an architect. She uses the building blocks to design a birthday greeting. An architect won't design a home for you until she has spent time with you and discovered your personality and your needs. A good florist should be asking a couple of questions to help her design the floral piece that says just what you want to say.

No, we're not talking about a million dollar home, were just talking about a birthday bouquet. Still, you should try to convey the message you are trying to send when you order your flowers from the florist. Your florist can translate your words into flowers. Using words like Romantic, Festive, Bright, Soft, Extravagant, Elegant, Simple, Fun, Young, Classic, Natural, Earthy or Modern will help your florist understand the personality she is fitting.

You can send flowers with little or no thought, and they'll probably be just fine. The enclosure card will say "Happy Birthday", and the message will get through. Or, you can invest just a few minutes into the process and choose flowers in a design that expresses the personality and message that fits the situation. It'll be worth the investment, I promise.

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About the Author

Karen Marinelli is a Floral Industry Professional with nineteen years of experience in the academic, retail and wholesale sectors of the industry. She believes the common goal should be to sell more flowers to more people, more often. For information on How to Open a Flower Shop, visit http://openaflowershop.com/

To order flowers online, visit http://send-flowers-online.ws/

This article may be reprinted without permission under the following conditions:

Article must be printed in its entirety. Author information and links must be printed exactly as printed above.

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The Ultimate Green Garden

Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the future. For me, the ultimate Magic Garden would be planted using the Feng Shui bagua as a guideline for the boundaries of the plot and incorporate flowers herbs and plants that correspond to each signifigant direction..

The first thing I would suggest, is to mark off your garden(or balcony full of pots) as a square (or as close to a square as you can get it) and determine the directions -- north, south, east and west. Then use the rough guideline below, taking into account your climate and seasons to know what to plant where to bring you health, wealth, peace, guidance, happiness and protection. You don№t have to incorporate all the suggestions below of course -- just a couple of touches here in there might do wonders.

The SOUTHERN corner of your garden governs recognition and fame. The flowers you plant there should be predominantly red in colour. Red and pinks should be main theme, although there well be flowers in there included for properties besides colour. Flowers that bring you fame: poppies, roses, bluebells,violets. Trees: Cherry, orange. Foilage: Holly, hazel, heather and all ferns. Herbs: Star anise, veviter. Trees: .Produce: strawberries, leeks, chili peppers. This corner also represents the Fire element so it is a good area to string up lights, put the barbeque or have a little hearth for fire.

The SOUTHWESTERN corner governs marriage prospects and marital happiness.The predominant flower colour should be yellow. Flowers for emotional security: daffodils, lillies, tulips, asters, bleeding hearts, daisies, roses, gardenia, lavender, orchid, poppy, primrose, periwinkle, hyacinth, trilliums, violet, geranium. Trees: Magnolia Fig, Willow, Olive Elm, Plum,Foilage: Myrtle, rye, witch grass, juniper, chickweed. Herbs: basil, marjoram, dill, mint, rosemary, thyme. Produce: Ginger, endive, raspberries, tomatoes. This area represents Big Earth so it is a good place to put a stone statue or a large rock or boulder.

The WESTERN corner governs children and fertility. The predominant flowers should be yellow and white. Flowers: Lavender, Cyclamen, Lily of the Valley, Morning Glory Trees: Oak, olive, banana, apple pine Foilage; Hawthorne Herbs:Mustard, catnip. Produce: Beans, carrots, cucumbers, grape, mustard. This area is known as Small Metal and would benefit from some windchimes or small silvery objects that catch the sun.

The NORTHWESTERN corner governs helpful people or mentors. The predominamt flower colour should be white yellow and orange. Flowers: Passion flower, sweetpea, Sunflower, Iris, carnation Trees: Lemon, peach, beech, walnut Foilage: Rowan, Myrtle, dogwod, clover Herbs: Pennyroyal, lemon balm, sage Produce: peppers, fennel, pumpkins, squash. This corner is called "Big Metal" so it is a good place to put table and chairs to invite the help into your life.

The NORTH corner governs career prospects. The flowers here should be
predominately dark purple or blue. Flowers that boost career: Camellia,
honeysuckle, jasmine, periwinkle, poppy, trillium, snapdragons, dandelion.
Trees: Orange, elder, apple, oak, maple, poplar Foilage: bromeliads, myrtle,
Irish moss (all mosses), ferns Herbs: dill, goldenseal, mint Produce:
cashews rice, grapes, onions, oats,peas, wheat. This direction represents
water, so it is the ideal place to put a fountain or pool. Add fish to it
and double your luck.

The NORTHEAST corner governs education and wisdom. The flowers here should be predominatly yellow and orange. Flowers: jasmine, marigold, roses, iris , sunflower. Trees: peach, bohdi, acacia Foilage: bracken, all grasses,flax Herbs: borage, eyebright, peppermint, saffron, thyme, rosemary, caraway, rue, savory, mint Produce: celery, onons, grapes. This area is "Small Earth" so it is good for a rock garden, a small alter or a birdbath.

The EAST governs family relationships and health. The foilage here should mainly be green and filled with bush or trees. Flowers are: loosestrife, meadowsweet, morning glory, violet, daisies, hostas Trees: all trees especially pines and spruces, Magnolia, Elder Foilage: Witchgrass, purslane, tobacco, hemp, hops Herbs: Lavender, scullcap, vervain, linden, sage Produce: avocado, rhubarb, rye. This area is called Big Wood which is why it is good to have at least one big tree there or a tree house.

The SOUTHEAST governs wealth and prosperity and should be as green and lush as possible. Flowers that bring wealth: Camelia, golden rod, helorope, honeysuckle, trillum Trees: all fruit trees, pecan, walnut, oak, pine Foilage: all bromelaids, mosses and ferns Herbs basil, clover, dill, mint, vervaine Produce: lettuce, corn, peas, oats, onions. This area is known as Small Wood and would be augmented by windmills, a swing or another structure made of wood (preferably one that moves to circulate energy.)

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About the Author

Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology's impact on the metaphysics.

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Hibiscus Flowers

This article provides useful, detailed information about Hibiscus Flowers.

When Hibiscus flowers are mentioned, many visualize the exotic red blossom pinned in the hair of a woman. The Hibiscus - one of the most beautiful flowers in the world - comes in numerous colors, shapes and sizes. Some have single petals, others double or crested, and some do not open fully. Sizes vary from tiny to 10-12 inches.

The flower of each species of the Hibiscus has its own individuality. The colors and the combinations are fabulous. Hibiscus come with romantic names like Sun Showers, Midnight Blue, Silver Shadow and Sunny Moon to name a few.

This dream flower is in great demand for decorative purposes, and this demand has developed into a big business.

Hibiscus flowers are not just endowed with beauty. They are useful in many ways. In some countries, Hibiscus are called \"shoe flowers.\" Perhaps this is because they can be used as black shoe polish. Shampooing with hibiscus flowers is supposed prevent dandruff and stimulate hair growth. There are branded cosmetic products containing the Hibiscus flower extract. And, they are believed to have anti-bacterial properties, as well as correct liver and stomach aliments. There are also claims that the flower acts as laxative and diuretic, relaxes the uterus, controls blood pressure, increases circulation and reduces cholesterol. The high vitamin C content in Hibiscus flowers helps resist colds and chest congestion.

The major consumption of this bloom is Hibiscus tea. The Arabs, who invented this tea, call it \'karkady\'. This brew is popular among Americans. Dietary supplements in capsule form containing Hibiscus flower extracts are available. Also, several table recipes like salads use Hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus Margaritas are considered to be an exciting cocktail, and there are Hibiscus flower wines as well.

Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and the state flower of Hawaii. This flower is truly one of God\'s great gifts to man.

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About the Author

Hibiscus Flower provides detailed information on Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flower, Hibiscus Plant, Hibiscus Care and more. Hibiscus Flower is affiliated with Care of Orchids.

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Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for a rainbow of color.

When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow the instructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants that will thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them. A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and you will only be disappointed with the results.

When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of the flowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times near each other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long. Remember also to plan for the height of the plants, putting the taller ones in the back.

Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you might want to consider for your garden:

Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky blue flowers that grows to 10". It blooms in late spring to early summer. Plant in partial shade and in well drained soil.

Blue Sea Holly - This dramatic plant has a lavender blue cone like flower with long spiked petals. It grows to 30" and is a favorite for dried flower arrangements. Plant in full sun - blooms in mid to late summer.

Delphinium, Butterfly Blue - Bright blue delicate flowers adorn this plant that blooms in early to mid summer. It reaches 10" tall and prefers a sunny location with rich moist soil.

Campanula, Blue Carpet - Bright blue to lilac colored flowers bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. This low growing perennial grows to 4" and prefers full sun with well drained soil.

Penstemon, Blue Buckle - This plant has tubular shaped blooms in blue to purple and flowers in mid summer to early fall. It grows to 15" and likes well drained soil with full or partial sun.

Hydrangea, Nikko Blue - Gigantic clumps of blue flowers adorn this shrub for most of the summer. In the fall, the flowers turn a golden color. This plant is a new variety that prefers rich soil but will grow in shade, partial sun or full sun.

Vinca - Medium blue flowers and glossy green leaves form a carpet that grows to about 6" tall and blooms in mid spring. This plant will grow in most soil conditions, in the shade or sun.

Ajuga, Bronze Beauty - This short bushy plant has spikes of blue flowers that grows quickly. Great as a ground cover or in raised beds. It blooms in spring and prefers a shady area.

Scabiosa, Butterfly Blue - A bushy perennial with lavender blue flowers that bloom from June to October. This plant likes full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Verbena, Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn this plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes and planters.

Additional information and resources for this article can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/05/24/add-rich-color-to-your-garden-with-blue-perennial-flowers/

A beautiful blue wildflower picture can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/06/02/blue-wildflower-in-kathys-garden/

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About the Author

© 2005 This article is provided courtesy of The Garden Source Network - http://www.garden-source.com This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.

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Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden

Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild flower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's treasured gifts. Wild flowers are carefree, colorful, and tend to attract bees, butterflys and birds. So planting wild flowers not only gives you an easy maintenance flower garden... it also promises to be a constant source of interesting activity throughout the year.

The following wild flowers are blue to purple in color, and some say this is a favorite color of bees.

VIRGINIA or COMMON DAY-FLOWER (Commelina Virginica) - Spiderwort family
The Day Flower has blue, one inch wide or smaller flowers which tend to be irregular. The flowers are grouped at the end of the stem, and are upheld by long leaf-like bracts. The leaves are lance-shaped and 3-5 inches long. The upper leaves form like a hood of sorts about the flower. These wild flowers prefer moist, shady ground and flower from June through September.

The day flower tends to open in the morning and looking somewhat "alert". In the afternoon, or after the bees have visited and fertilized it, the petals roll up and quickly wilt into a wet, shapeless mass which will leave a sticky blue fluid on your fingers if you touch it.

SPIDERWORT; WIDOW'S or JOB'S TEARS (Tradescantia Virginiana) - Spiderwort family
The Spiderwort's flowers are purplish blue in color but on rare occasion they can be white. There's usually several flowers about 1-2 inches wide, and usually contain clusters of drooping buds between long, blade-like bracts at the end. This one can grow from 8-36 inches tall, and has long blade-like leaves. It prefers rich, moist woods, thickets or garden space, and it flowers from May through August.

Like its relative the dayflower, the spiderwort opens for part of a day only. In the morning it is wide awake and pert; early in the afternoon its petals have begun to retreat and wither away. New blooms appear each day throughout the season though.

WILD HYACINTH, SCILLA or SQUILL. QUAMASH (Quamasia kyacinthina; Scilla Fraseri of Gray) - Lily family

The Wild Hyacinth tends to produce many pale violet blue flowers, though once in awhile they can be white. There tend to be equal groups of 6 flowers on long, oblong-shaped branches. The plant tends to grow 1-2 feet tall, and has grass-like, short leaves. These wild flowers prefer meadows, prairies and stream banks, and they bloom from April to May.

These wild flowers tend to be low maintenance, and they propogate on their own, without being invasive. In addition to attracting bees, the Wild Hyacinth also tends to attract ants, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles.

Whether you prefer to start your flowers from seeds or potted starter plants, wild flowers are a wonderful addition to any type of garden. Creating a stand alone wild flower garden is also a fantastic way to make a great, naturalized impression in large or unused areas of your landscape.

Watch for future articles where I'll introduce you to many other wild flowers in a variety of other colors too!

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About the Author

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard, The Garden Source Network - http://www.garden-source.com - A premier online publication featuring gardening articles, tips, advice, resources, shopping and supplies. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

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Chinese Plants

Chinese people value trees and flowers as much as westerners do.

Plum flowers are fragrant and beautiful. They were once the national flower. On the RMB50 cents coins you can see plum flowers on the side.

Chrysanthemum flowers symbolizes a strong life. It is good to give old people chrysanthemum flowers because it means strong life. However, only red ones would be good because white and light yellow ones are used only at funerals. Lovers do not give chrysanthemum to their loved ones.

Narcissus, lotus flowers and orchid are flowers which represent high virtues and elegance.

Orchid blossoms in spring and it brings an air of high class respectfulness.

Narcissus blossoms in winter. White flowers of five ledals and yellow stamen grow in pure water. It represents a sense of purity.

Lotus flowers grow in pond water. Its roots are edible. Its flowers blossom in summer and are either red or white. The seeds are also edible and are often used as medicine. Almost every part of a lotus plant is useful though it grows in muddy pond water. That is also why it is compared to people who manage to achieve successfully in life though come from a less prestige background.

Azalae flowers represents elegance and wealth. You can find azalea on RMB1 coins.
Peach flowers blossom in spring. It represents beautiful girls. In Chinese tradition at Chinese New Year, people who want to find love will usually buy a whole plant and put it home because this will bring them luck in finding love in the coming year.

Pomegranate gives very beautiful flowers. Its fruit is sour but contains a lot of seeds inside. In Chinese tradition, people put this fruit on the bed of the newly weds so as to help the newly weds to make many babies.

Maple trees in China represents old people who don't admit that they are old because these trees blossoms in autumn which is near the end of a year.

Lilac in China represents modesty, which is one of the virtues that Chinese people value
Other than the above, there are some flowers which have medicinal values. Plum flowers can cure heat, cough and diarrhea; chrysanthemum can cure cold; orchid can cure lung disease and coughs; lotus flowers can cure sunstroke, insomnia and blood vomiting; azalea can regulate female menstruation; narcissus and Chinese rose can remove bruises; laurel can remove bruises and dissolve phlegm.

What about giving presents?
When birthdays or opening a business, red Chinese rose or pomegranate flowers would be good because this represents prosperous future.

For old people, plum flowers or tuberose would be appropriate.

For patients, orchid, you can buy China pink bamboo.

For moving houses, you can buy asparagus fern.

For wedding, you can buy lily because in China it represents hundred years of love. Lily is also good for friends which means unity.

However there are also plants which carry derogative meanings.

Poplar flowers can be easily blown broken. It represents a woman who is not faithful.

Broad-leave epiphyllum flowers are pretty but they open just for one night. It can be easily understood that they represent shortness.

Duckweed floats on the surface of water. It has no roots and floats anywhere. Since the Chinese nation values family and its unity, things which do not have roots would be pitiful.

Thistles and thorns bring people pain. They represent difficulties.

Do you know more about what to bring to your Chinese friend next time? Maybe now you can be more confident when asking your Chinese lover out for a date.;-)

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This article was produced by Asia Dragon. Visit us at www.asiadragon.co.uk where you will find authentic Oriental furniture, including Indian furniture, Chinese furniture plus Oriental rugs, soft furnishings and home décor ideas. Our Asian furniture and home furnishings are available in both traditional & contemporary styles. We also feature calligraphy, Chinese art and ornaments, Chinese dresses, fashion accessories, and Japanese kimonos.

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Orchid Flowers - Growing Indoors

Many people think the orchid plant cannot be grown indoors. When grown in the wild, the orchid plant often forms a symbiotic relationship with other plants in order to get the nutrients that it needs. The orchid plant, like most other plants, must live in the proper conditions in order for it to bloom. The three major conditions that must be controlled in order for the orchid plant to bloom are water, light, and temperature. The orchid plant receives moisture through its roots like all other plants. Avoid planting the orchid in potting soil, because it does not like to be in standing water. The orchid thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. The orchid will continue to grow without this change, but it will not bloom.

Orchids can be a difficult flower to grow indoors because they are usually found growing in nature. As long as you are familiar with the living conditions that orchids need to grow, then you can grow orchids indoors. Orchids should be grown in a similar way. If wholesale orchids are left in standing water, they will eventually die. Wholesale orchids also need to have the temperature variations of the plants that are grown in the wild. The leaf color of wholesale orchids will indicate whether or not the orchid is getting the right amount of light. Yellowish color leaves mean the plant is getting too much light.

The orchid is a perennial plant that usually has three petals. There are about 30,000 different species of orchids wildly growing worldwide. There three basic types of orchid: epiphytic, terrestrial, and saprophytic. The first of the types of different orchids, the epiphytic orchid, grows mostly in tropic and subtopic regions. The epiphytic types of orchid are the most popular for growing indoors. The terrestrial orchid is the second of the major types of orchid. Many people who try to grow terrestrial orchids attempt to grow them in potting soil. The third of the types of orchid is saprophytic. The saprophytic orchid has underground roots just as the terrestrial orchid does. Some species of saprophytic orchids grow completely underground and never come above. If a person can understand how to grow other plants inside the home, then they can understand how to grow orchids.

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About Jeffery Rush:
Jeffery is a keen gardener with a passion for orchids. Visit his sites for more information on orchid keeping:- www.orchid-flower.info www.hub-news.info/orchids/

African Violet: An Indoor Plant

African violets can bloom any time of the year. They are indoor plants, and as such, are not under the constraints that other plants are to bloom seasonally. Some growers say their violets actually can bloom 12 months of the year; in other words, all the time. I, myself have found that after blooming for six to eight weeks my violets need to take a "rest" period of one to three months.

But, usually my violets are in bloom twice a year, sometimes three, and at six to eight weeks at a time that sums up to about five to six good months of blooms, not too shabby! They are especially lovely when blooming during the cold of winter, when their deep green foliage and bright colorful blooms are in contrast to the white snow or the gray landscape, outside the window. One thing that will contribute to violets' potential to bloom year-round is to fertilize them every time they are watered. That, along with enough sunlight, humidity and warmth is the best recipe for African violets.

It is not uncommon for violets to "sport". In other words, your white violet puts up a purple blossom, or pink blossom or some other color. When the hybridizer created your particular variety, they cross pollinated two violets, more than likely, one of them was purple. So your violet has reverted back to one of its parents. Will it go completely purple? That's a good possibility. Why? Well some are just more "unstable" than others. I would guess the plant you bought was probably an Optimara violet.

Optimara violets are grown by a huge commercial grower in Nashville, Tenn. It was started by the Holtkamp family when they were in Germany. Eventually they came to this country and the family has carried on with violets for years and years. They are the biggest or at least one of the biggest commercial violet hybridizers and growers in the nation.

They produce plants for the home grower that uses window light. Folks like me that have ten lighted plant stands and a big room grow for show, I do grow Optimara violets, some of their plants make great show plants. However, when I do get one, I figure it has at least a 50% chance of sporting to a different color.

That makes it not blooming true so I couldn't show it under the name that was given because the plant would not match the description they gave to the African Violet Society of America to register it. Complicated I know but that's the rules and since I'm also an African Violet judge, I have to know those rules.

When a violet sports to a different color, it doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. Although environment can be a factor, it is more likely that the plant is just not stable. Sometimes you get pretty interesting color combinations from the plant that sports. Sometimes it will change colors and never go back to the original color. In fact, all the plants that I have grown that sported never went back to the original color. You never know what you'll wind up with sometimes.

As for repotting. If it has been over six months since you acquired the plant or since you have repotted, it would be a good idea to repot. But repotting into a pot that is too large will cause the roots to stay too soggy and your plant will not thrive. Violets like "tight feet" and they don't like soggy roots. So overpotting and overwatering is a no,no. The general rule is the pot should be 1/3 the size of the plant. For example: If your plant is 12 inches across from leaf tip to leaf tip, then it should be in a four inch pot. The soil you use is important also.

Most of the soils labled for African Violets is junk! Way too heavy for violets. So I would try to find a very light soil. Sunshine makes a good one, Optimara makes a good one. You can use one labeled for violets but be sure to add at least 50% or more perlite to the mix. That makes it lighter. You can usually find everything you need at Wal-Mart or a good nursery might have what you need. Most good violet soils are 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 vermiculite. But you should be able to find a "ready made" one.

The most important factor in getting African Violets to bloom is light-Insufficient light is probably the most common reason for failure of African violets to flower. They need at least six to eight hours per day in order to flower. South or west windows will give you the best light this time of the year. You can also use artificial lighting.

They do best in daytime temperatures of 70 to 90 and nighttime temps of 65-70. They also like high humidity, which you can offer by placing the pot into a pebble tray-fill a small tray with pebbles and place the pot into this tray. Keep filled with water, this will create humidity around the plant. Never mist an African Violet or any plant with 'hairy' leaves.

Allow the soil to become dry to the touch between waterings. Pour water until it is coming out of the drain holes. Try not to splash water onto the leaves. Add a 20-20-20 fertilizer at least once a month. I believe it is Miracle Grow that makes one just for African Violets.

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About Victor Epand:
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for www.SendFlowers4.info/. SendFlowers4.info is a great place to shop for flowers, gift baskets, and plants when you are looking for a special gift. Start here to search by "Special Occasion": www.SendFlowers4.info/category/occasions.html.

Indoor Gardening

If you’re living in the middle of the Amazon jungle, the last thing I would recommend for you to do is try your hand at indoor gardening. After all, why try to compete with mother nature and come out looking like an amateur? But if, like most of the population of the western world you don’t actually live at the foot of a rain forest then I would really recommend looking into indoor gardening. As a jungle substitute of course.

Why would you go for an indoor garden - as opposed to an outdoor one of course? The reasons are pretty simple really. You don’t need to get too mucky grubbing around on your hands and feet in the dirt. You’ll almost never need to brave the harsher weather elements that nature will throw at you for trying to compete with her. It will make your house look nice, and you feel good. And ultimately in the grand scheme of things, it’s good for you.

It’s difficult to imagine how indoor gardening could be good for you, but really it has nothing to do with the gardening itself, more with the plants instead. If you hark back to the good old days of high school and peer pressure, you might just remember vaguely hearing something in science class about plants and photo-something-or-other.

To refresh your memory, it’s a procedure called photosynthesis, where plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, and release oxygen into it instead, thereby removing pollutants from our environment. If you’re living in a jungle there’s not too much of a problem with that, but living as we are in our singular little houses, indoor plants are the next best thing. Thus the indoor gardening.

When planning your lovely miniature rainforest - substitute ‘indoor garden’ - you have a variety of stunning plant options to choose from. Ones that the outdoor gardner might not be privy to. I won’t go into a list of possible indoor plants right now as the list is longer than my arm, but if you are interested I would suggest you take a look around in your local plant nursery.

You’ll get a good idea of what types of plants there are for you to choose from, and what types are a no, no. They just won’t grow indoors! You’ll also find with indoor gardening that some plants can be temperamental and will flat out refuse to grow anywhere within a walled-in and roofed area! A simple and easy place to start with would be try your hand at herb gardening. Simple to grow, useful in the kitchen, and best of all not the prima donna type.

Gardening, of any kind, just doesn’t get any better than indoor gardening, especially if you’re not an outdoorsy type of person and don’t want a close encounter with the wormy kind. Or any other type of crawly insect that resides in your outdoor garden, not your indoor garden. The benefits of indoor gardening just keep growing!

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