| Flowers and Their Month |
| Flowers of January |
Plants for shady areas |
Annuals - Amethyst Flower, Baby-blue eyes, Balsam, Coleus, Flowering Tobacco, Forget-me-not, Impatiens, Lobelia, Monkey Flower, Pansy, Patience Plant, Wax Begonia
Perennials - Astilbe, Bleeding-heart, Columbine, Cranesbill, Fuchsia, Heartleaf Bergenia, Hosta, Jacob's-ladder, Knotweed, Lady's Mantle, Phlox, Red Turtlehead
Herbs - Angelica, Catnip, Chervil, Chicory, Foxglove, Ginseng, Hyssop, Lemon Grass, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary
Ground Covers - Baltic Ivy, Carpet Bugle, Dusty Miller, Evergreen Vinca, Ferns, Lamium, Pachysandra, Periwinkle, Silver Archangel
Shrubs - Azlea, Boxwood, Camellia, Clematis, Fothergilla, Holly, Hydrangea, Yew |
| Flower for February |
Roses |
Proper care of cut roses can double their life. |
The key to doubling the vase life of roses is to insure that the roses get plenty of water. If the roses are in a foam oasis, make sure the foam is always dripping wet. Avoid using a home or commercial water softener as the salts can cause premature wilting. Air bubbles or bacteria can clog the stem and prevent water from reaching the rose. This causes the rose head to droop. You can prevent or eliminate stem blockages by cutting the rose stems under water. Fill your sink or a bucket with water then submerge your clippers or knife in the water and cut at least one inch off the bottom of the stem. Immediately place the roses in a vase, making sure to remove any leaves below the water line. Leaves in the water will decay and provide a breeding ground for bacteria that can clog the stem.
If the water turns cloudy, replace it with clean water, with floral preservative added. The preservative does three things: prevents bacteria from growing, lowers the PH of the water making it flow into the roses more easier, and provides food (sugar) for the roses to keep them from fading. Sometimes you can revive roses that have drooped by recutting the stems under water. Some experts recommend soaking the entire rose (stem plus flower) in a tub of water for an hour. Roses will last longer if displayed in a cool area. Keep them out of the sun and away from any heat sources and drafts.
If your roses are delivered in a box, keep them in a cool dark place until they can be arranged. Prior to arranging, remove all the leaves below the water line. Fill your sink or a bucket with water then submerge your clippers or knife in the water and cut at least one inch off the bottom of the stem. Immediately place the roses in a vase, making sure to remove any leaves below the water line. After arranging, if possible, place the arrangement in a cool, dark room for 2-3 hours. |
| Flowers of March |
Plants for sunny areas |
Annuals - Alyssum,Bachelor's Button, Blanket Flowers, Calliopsis, Dianthus, Floss Flower, Marigold, Nasturtium, Sweet Pea, Zinnia
Perennials - Baby's Breath, Bellflower, Blue Pincushion Flower, Candytuft, Carnation, Cottage Pinks, Daisy, Lavender, Lupine, Pasqueflower, Rose, White Coneflower, Yarrow
Herbs - Agrimony, Apple Mint, Cardamon, Chamomile, Chive, Coriander, Dill, Horehound, Perrmint, Sweet Bay, Tarragon, Thyme
Ground Covers - Bishop's Weed, Blue Bugle, Blue Juniper, Cotoneaster, Creeping Phlox, Crown Vetch, Red Sedum Creeper, Snow-in-summer, Speedwell
Bulbs - Crocus, Daffodil, Gladiolus, Hyacinth, Iris, Lilly, Tulip |
| Flowers of April |
Types of interior plants |
Indoor plants, also called houseplants, are divided into four categories |
Foliage Plants - also called green plants prefer indirect lighting, moist soil but not wet,and temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees.
Flowering Plants - also called blooming plants are usually purchased mature and already blooming. Most blooming plants are not suited for continued indoor living and should be moved outdoors after blooming.
Cacti - very tolerant plants prefer a sunny window, highly porous well-drained soil, watering occasionally. Cacti do not have leaves
Succulents - are similar to cacti, storing water in their stems and leaves. Succulents prefer porous well-drained soil, lots of sun, good air circulation and plenty of water. During the winter, succulents must go dormant in a cool, dry environment. |
| Flower for May |
The Convallaria majalis, commonly know as the lily-of-the-valley, is native to the temperate zones of Eurasia. Majalis means “that which belongs to May” which is when these flower burst forth. The flowers resemble small white bells, although occasionally they may be another color. In the autumn, the flowers turned into scarlet berries. The sweet scent is makes them popular in bridal arrangement and perfumes. The color associated with May is white and means sweetness, purity and the return of happiness. |
In France the flower (known as muguet) is handed out on May 1st.
An old wife’s tale says the fragrance lures the nightingale helping him find a mate.
One Sussex legend tells of St. Leonard who fought against a terrible dragon. After a lengthy battle he finally defeated the dragon, unfortunately he had taken on many wounds and where his blood fell Lilies-of-the-Valley grew. The woods where the battle took place is known as St. Leonard's Forest and to this day Lilies-of-the-Valley grow in large numbers. |
| Flower for June |
The rose is one of the most popular flowers and by far the most well known. There are even fossil records that show roses existed in prehistoric times. Roses were first cultivated in Asian a little over 5,000 years ago. |
Red is the color associated with June and means love, respect and I love you. |
Legends are numerous |
The rose blushed with shame when God expelled Adam and Eve from Eden.
Cleopatra scattered rose petals before Mark Anthony's feet.
Nero let roses fall from the ceiling during feasts.
In Roman mythology, a beautiful woman named Rhodanthe was constantly pursued by suitors. Though she continued to turn them away they continued even breaking into her home. The goddess, Diana was so angered by this she turned Rhodanthe into a beautiful rose and her suitors into thorns-that never would reach the precious petals.
In the middle ages a rose was suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber, pledging all present to secrecy, or sub rosa, "under the rose". The term is still used today.
According to English superstition, if the petals fall from a fresh-cut red rose, bad luck will follow. |
| Flower for July |
Larkspur is the common name for flowering plants in the buttercup family. colors range from a pale pink to deep purple. There is a white variety as well. Larkspur can attain heights up to 7 feet. In the past, the name larkspur has been used interchangeably with the name delphinium, however they are now considered to be separate genus's; the larkspur is annual while the delphinium is perennial.
The name delphinium comes from a Greek word because the partially opened buds resemble the bottle-nose of dolphins. The name larkspur comes the belief that the flowers looks like a lark's foot: larkspur, lark's heel and lark's claw have all been used.
The color for July is pink and means open heart, pink in particular means fickleness and talkativeness.
The larkspur was introduced to Britain in the late 16th century where they were believed cure poisonous stings.
Legend tells of two boys looking to strike in rich during the famous Gold Rush of 1849. The adventure spread from their Midwestern home to the California coast. Throughout their journey the boys encountered an onslaught of poisonous snakes and nasty insects. To defend themselves the boys used tall larkspurs to ward off the attackers. |
| Flower for August |
The name gladiolus comes from the Latin work gladius meaning sword for the shape of the flowers leaves. These flowers are native to Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Gladiolus were found growing over 2,000 years ago in the fields of Asia Minor where they where called 'corn lilies'. They are in the same flower family as irises with colors ranging from white through green, cream, yellow, buff, orange, salmon, scarlet, pink, red, rose, lavender, purple and blue to smoky, tan and brown.
The color associated with August is yellow and means sincerity and “You pierce my heart”.
Gladiolus grew abundantly in the Holy Land and the waste lands along the Mediterranean coast of Africa and they are believed to be the biblical "lilies of the field."
In the past, mashed gladiolus roots were used to draw out splinters and thorns and dried gladiolus seedpods were ground into powder and swallowed with goat's milk, as a remedy for colic.
Sir Francis Fox, the engineer who built the bridge over the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, discovers a found gladioli flourishing in the mist of the falls. They adapted to the constant moisture by developing a hooded upper petal which kept its pollen-bearing stamens dry. Known as "Maid of the Mist" it introduced yellow and orange shades into the hybrid gladioli. |
| Flower for September |
Asters are ancient wildflowers in the daisy family. Aster means star in Latin. The early English name for the aster was starwort. It was later changed to Michaelmas Daisy as it blooms around St. Michaelmas Day (September). The color for September is purple and stands for valor, love, afterthought and daintiness. In China is signifies fidelity. |
Mythology:
When Virgo scattered stardust on the earth the field where it fell bloomed with asters.
Goddess Asterea began to cry when she looked down upon the earth and saw no stars; when her tears fell to earth they bloomed into asters.
A Cherokee legend describes a terrible war between two tribes. As the war raged all the villagers in one tribe were killed — all but two young sisters who ran to hid in the woods. Both girls wore doe skin dresses, one fringed and dyed lavender-blue, the other a bright yellow. The sisters sought out the ‘Herb Woman’ who lived nearby. As the sisters slept under the stars, the ‘Herb Woman’ looked to their future and saw the enemy tracking them down. To save them she sprinkled them with a magic potion and covered them with leaves. In the morning there were two flowers where the sisters had slept, one a lavender-blue aster the other a yellow goldenrod. |
Superstitions:
Asters were known as starwort in England and Germany, where they were thought to carry magical powers. Aster leaves were burned to keep away evil spirits and serpents in Ancient Greece. |
Symbolisms:
Asters were laid on the graves of French soldiers symbolizing the wish things had been differently. |
| Flower for October |
Calendula comes from the Latin word calendae, meaning "throughout the months." It is a member of the marigold family and has been valued for its medicinal and culinary uses throughout history. The blossoms were used in ancient beverages to cure indigestion; the petals were used in ointments to cure skin irritations, sore eyes, and toothaches.
It was also known as the "poor man's saffron" in the Middle Ages, and was used to add flavor and color to dishes. Calendula is sometimes called "summer's bride" or "husbandman's dial" since often flower’s head seems to follow the path of the sun. Yet another name is Pot Marigold as it does well in container gardens.
The color for October is orange and means winning grace as well as grief, jealousy and sacred affection.
Early Christians placed calendula around statues of Mary, offering the blossoms in place of coins, and called them Mary's Gold. |
| Flower for November |
The chrysanthemum stand for optimism and cheerfulness, long life and happiness. It is the flower for October in China and the flower of September in Japan.
The yellow chrysanthemum is associated with November.
Chrysanthemum is derived from the Greek words chrysos, meaning gold and anthemon meaning flower.
Cultivated over 3,000 years ago in China, the Chrysanthemum is known as the "Flower of the East" and the "Flower of Life". Tao Yanming was the first historical breeder (around in 400 A.D). After his death, his hometown was named Juxian meaning "City of Chrysanthemums".
According to Chinese Feng Shui chrysanthemums bring happiness into your home.
"The Japanese tell the legend of twelve young maidens and twelve young men who set out from China to find the "herb of youth," which they believed kept people eternally young. In order to trade for this herb, they carried with them baskets of chrysanthemums. When their ship wrecked near an uninhabited island, they swam ashore and planted the chrysanthemums. It was the first introduction of chrysanthemums to Japan, and to this day the imperial coat of arms of Japan shows a golden chrysanthemum with sixteen petals." |
| Flower for December |
WARNING: Avoid chilling or bruising. |
Poinsettia |
Purchase when bracts are full, colorful but before the yellow centers are evident. |
Poinsettia plants are sometimes referred to as poisonous. Research has shown they are not harmful to humans or animals, but avoid ingesting them.
When all red bracts fall, store with only occasional watering till warm weather. Plant outside (facing south) after cutting stems to about 8 inches.
Bring indoors before frost.
Very difficult to rebloom. Needs 8 weeks of 14 hours of darkness each night. |
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