Flowers Blog

When we picture spring we usually think of fields of daffodils and tulips. However, this is not a realistic picture — in the garden, cluster, not fields make the vision that we call spring.

A gardener should think of planting a variety of flowers in clusters, which may not be the common way of doing things, but it can be just as lovely as planting masses of one type of flower.

It is never a good idea to plant your bulbs in a row like toy soldiers, as clumps of flowers give a more cheery note to any garden. There are several flowers you can consider.

• Ixia is a bulb from South Africa which blooms from spring to early summer. It is a great complement of bigger flowers as it gives them some accent.
• The allium caeruleum is a blue-flowered ornamental onion, which is quite stunning if it planted with roses.
• Allium moly or "Jeannine" blooms in late may, grows to about a four feet and has sunny yellow balls of flower heads. This flower mixes in very well with hardy geraniums or rambling roses.

Basically it is just important to remember that having variety adds more interest to your garden.

[Via: seattlepi.com]

Those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, know in the back of our minds that the warm days of summer are over. However at the other end of the world in Sydney, Australia the streets of the city are just starting to bloom with the colours of spring.

They are also feeling the changes in weather and Australians are experiencing one of the coldest springs they've had in a decade.

In Australia seasons are measured a bit differently then here in the North. Our changes in seasons are measured by equinoxes and solstices, with fall arriving officially on the 23rd of September. In Australia, seasons are always marked on the first day of each month. Spring starts on the 1st of September in Australia.

Some say that perhaps the Australian spring should start a little bit earlier. According to Dr. Entwisle spring should start on the 1st of August. Tulips, jonquils, primulas and pansies are already flowering in the streets of Sydney.

He said: "Every year we think spring has come earlier, but really spring in Sydney actually starts in late July and August for many natives and garden plants. This seasonal anomaly is actually a result of Sydney's mild winters and its cool temperate gardens."

[Via: The Sydney Morning Herald]

Many designers are saying that 2008 is the year of botany meaning; that any striped or colored flower is adequate for use inside the home, as "Feelin' Groovy" is important this year.

Michelle Lamb chair and co-founder of Marketing Directions Inc. says, "It's something about the fashion pendulum's all pervasive swing backwards to the 40th anniversary of love." She goes on to say, "It's triggered a nostalgic interest in the printed patterns from the late 1960's to the early 1970's. Some of the colors are so bright they suggest a return to the neon accents that we've called the 'Glossy Brights,' the most flamboyant palette this year. The pink in this palette, 'Love That Pink,' is as clear and specific a color as you can get, this season's standard bearer."

Wonderful spiraling swirly Paisley patterns and floral patterns will appear in mini-prints and in posy inspired patterns.

There are plenty of colorful flower patterns to be found; vibrant wallpapers, to brighten up walls in a dark space. Most accessories will have some kind of colorful flower motives, reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Even patterns for carpets are going to be abloom with flowers, so you can walk through a luscious meadow in the comfort of your own home.

[Via: Canada.com]

Nowadays, most children prefer to stay inside and play video games rather than play in the fresh spring air. Usually it is the parents who are outside enjoying the warmer weather, and it is very difficult to get children outdoors.

However, gardening together is a great way to coax them outside, according to experts. This of course depends on the child, their age and personality. It is important to start as early as possible.

There is even a new TV-show that is aimed at getting children to go outside called, "Fifi and the Flowertots." The main character lives in a small world, and she is a flower who's name is Fifi, and she and her friends love gardening.

Some expert advice to follow if you want to drag your child outside: it is important to start with easy flowers that are interesting, like annual flowers. The end product is not important — do not expect perfection from a child. Let your child chose what they plant and where they plant it. It is also important to give them their very own part of the garden.

Sunnie Valentine has been planting with her children since they could hold a seed. According to Valentine, "Children are nurturers. They want to help. They want to take care of things."

[Via: The Salt Lake Tribune]

Everyone has been anticipating spring and it has truly arrived. The days and the nights are warmer which means work in the garden can begin. In Flint Michigan it is a good idea to take the time to actually have a look at all the flowers that are blooming. There are 52 parks in Flint, with hybrid flowers and wildflowers abound.

If you want your garden to look like the parks of Flint you should pay special attention to your soil. Usually people will turn over their soil before planting but this is a step that can be eliminated. There are many microorganisms and other natural processes happening beneath the soil and this can be damaged by tilling. One example is the earthworms found in the soil, they give air and fertilization to the soil and if you till it - they are usually killed. They also create tunnels, if you till the soil it becomes too dense and makes it difficult for your flowers to sprout roots. Tilling also makes soil dry and crusty, making it less efficient at absorbing rain water. It is a better idea to leave the soil as it is with a layer of mulch on top, leaving nature to work on its own.

If it is the first time you have used mulch, use a little bit more to help your plants grow.

[Via: mlive.com]