A bouquet of flowers has been a traditional gift since time immemorial but over the years individual flowers have acquired meanings of their own. It is important that you should have at least a nodding acquaintance with the language of flowers to ensure that your gift does not convey an unintended message. To complicate matters it is not just the variety of flower but its color and the number of blooms in the bouquet which affect the meaning.
Perhaps on of the best examples is the rose. A red rose signifies love, "I love you", but a white rose indicates the opposite "I love you not". Again a yellow rose shows misplaced affection "I love another".
Bachelor's Buttons point to devotion, hope, love. These flowers were carried around by young bachelors who were in love. If the flower faded quickly, it was a sign that their sweethearts did not love them. If the flower did not fade, everything would go well with their love affairs.
With the Camellia colors only shade the meaning. Pink - "I'm longing for you". Red - "You're a Flame in My Heart". White - "You're Adorable". However with Carnations it is a different matter. Pink - "I'll Never Forget You". Red - "My Heart Aches For You". Purple - Capriciousness. Solid color - "Yes". Striped - "No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You". White - Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love. Yellow - "You Have Disappointed Me", Rejection.
A Pink Geranium shows doubt,"Please explain yourself", but scarlet is uncompromising "I do not trust you". Color is not always significant. A Gloxinia of any shade declares love at first sight.
A purple Hyacinth says "Sorry" but yellow indicates jealousy. The same sentiment is expressed by the yellow French Marigold.
The message of the Petunia is "I like you near me" and the Sweet Pea says "Goodbye. Thank you for a lovely time." The Spider Flower tells you "I am not so bad as I seem".
You may be thinking by now that this is all fairly straightforward and that you will soon get the hang of it. But beware! The language of flowers has evolved over many centuries and not everyone agrees as to the true meaning. For instance the Petunia also signifies resentment and anger. Take care when you include a Spider Flower in your bouquet since it can also mean "Elope with me!".
This has been just a brief look at a few plants picked at random. For a longer list see Flowers Meanings.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Wildflower seeds - Ten reasons why you should plant...
Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the landscape before the first settlers arrived from Europe. Ever since that time more and more plants have been introduced from around the world with very mixed results. Although many of the imports are now prized garden specimens, others are regarded as invasive weeds whose cultivation is actively discouraged eg Japanese Knotweed. The benefits of growing wildflowers are many, but here are just a few:
Since wildflowers grow naturally in the landscape they will thrive in similar soil types and situations in your garden.
Because they are growing in their natural habitat, wildflowers will require less water and fertilizer than other plants.
Equally wildflowers have a natural resistance to pests and diseases and so will reduce the need for sprays and pesticides.
Many wildflowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and so will encourage these colorful insects to visit. More>>>
Since wildflowers grow naturally in the landscape they will thrive in similar soil types and situations in your garden.
Because they are growing in their natural habitat, wildflowers will require less water and fertilizer than other plants.
Equally wildflowers have a natural resistance to pests and diseases and so will reduce the need for sprays and pesticides.
Many wildflowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and so will encourage these colorful insects to visit. More>>>
Sunday, July 25, 2004
From Gardening Smart to Whistle-Stop
it's all here
Here's some timely advice to save you overdoing things and ending up with stresses and strains that you didn't anticipate. You have to complete free registration to read this one but it is worth it.
GARDENING smart to avoid injuries
If you have ever thought that it would be fun to have a model railway in your garden, then read this for encouragement
WHISTLE-STOP Gardening
Sometimes you get the impression that novel garden tools are like fancy fishing lures which seem to be designed to catch more fishermen than fish. However I think you will agree that these tools are really useful
Bionic gardening gloves and other useful gadgets
Are you short of space or want to work on a smaller scale?
Then WHAT'S not to love about container gardening?
That's all for today but don't forget to check my main site
The Garden Supplies Advisor.com
GARDENING smart to avoid injuries
If you have ever thought that it would be fun to have a model railway in your garden, then read this for encouragement
WHISTLE-STOP Gardening
Sometimes you get the impression that novel garden tools are like fancy fishing lures which seem to be designed to catch more fishermen than fish. However I think you will agree that these tools are really useful
Bionic gardening gloves and other useful gadgets
Are you short of space or want to work on a smaller scale?
Then WHAT'S not to love about container gardening?
That's all for today but don't forget to check my main site
The Garden Supplies Advisor.com
Friday, July 23, 2004
Arbors bring Art and Structure to your Garden
Arbors, trellises and pergolas have been adding art and structure to outdoor living spaces and gardens for centuries
For anyone looking to add space, style and elegance to their garden, these versatile wooden structures are practical projects that can be built in a single weekend.
Fall is an ideal time to consider outdoor architectural upgrades. While it may be your last major project of the season, your appreciation for the effort will grow when spring 2005 arrives. The structure is already in place, ready to enjoy as plants grow and flowers bloom around it. More...
For anyone looking to add space, style and elegance to their garden, these versatile wooden structures are practical projects that can be built in a single weekend.
Fall is an ideal time to consider outdoor architectural upgrades. While it may be your last major project of the season, your appreciation for the effort will grow when spring 2005 arrives. The structure is already in place, ready to enjoy as plants grow and flowers bloom around it. More...
Wildlife gardening, Seeds of Sanity and more...
Here is a collection of news items which caught my eye. If you click on a link it will open in a new window. When you have finished reading just close the window and you will be brought back to this page.
Gardening with Eileen gives advice on tasks for the month in Marco Island, Florida
WILDLIFE Gardening keeps 4-H'ers busy at Sulpher Springs, Texas
SEEDS of sanity from Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
WHERE there's muck, there's a website for gardening folk
ENGLAND'S gardening religion may have a convert
Gardening with Eileen gives advice on tasks for the month in Marco Island, Florida
WILDLIFE Gardening keeps 4-H'ers busy at Sulpher Springs, Texas
SEEDS of sanity from Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
WHERE there's muck, there's a website for gardening folk
ENGLAND'S gardening religion may have a convert
Thursday, July 22, 2004
UPS and downs of upside down and the Venus Flytrap
Don't believe everything you read in the papers! On the other hand maybe you learn something new every day - UPS and downs of upside down tomatoes (You may have to complete a free registration for this one)
If you want a refresher course on sweet smelling plants you will find some great ideas in We can still get a whiff of summer
You may love it or find it repulsive but there is a certain fascination with this strange plant. Learn how the Venus flytrap gets its due
Read how a professor of social work at the Universite de Moncton with a stressful job manages to relax in AN oasis on the block
If, like me, you are not as young as you used to be, you may be interested these special garden tools which are designed to make life easier. Learn how ADAPTIVE gardening tools return the fun to gardening
If you want a refresher course on sweet smelling plants you will find some great ideas in We can still get a whiff of summer
You may love it or find it repulsive but there is a certain fascination with this strange plant. Learn how the Venus flytrap gets its due
Read how a professor of social work at the Universite de Moncton with a stressful job manages to relax in AN oasis on the block
If, like me, you are not as young as you used to be, you may be interested these special garden tools which are designed to make life easier. Learn how ADAPTIVE gardening tools return the fun to gardening
ROGUE Valley Gardening and Follies with Artichokes
Here are a few more interesting items.
ROGUE Valley Gardening - Summertime Fruit - Grow Your Own
TEENS And Flowers Blossom In Flushing Gardening Program
GARDENING With Northwest Natives: Mints
Gardening follies with artichokes and tomatoes
SUNSHINE on a rainy day
ROGUE Valley Gardening - Summertime Fruit - Grow Your Own
TEENS And Flowers Blossom In Flushing Gardening Program
GARDENING With Northwest Natives: Mints
Gardening follies with artichokes and tomatoes
SUNSHINE on a rainy day
A little bit about me
I have been interested in gardening since my mid twenties but my practical activity has varied in the different gardens that came with the houses in which I have lived.
The first garden for which I was responsible was a one acre plot on a hillside overlooking Blantyre in Malawi. I spent three happy years experimenting with various flowers and vegetables but leaving all the hard work to my gardener.
Following my return to England in 1972 I became enthused by the ideas of self-sufficiency that were current at the time but unfortunately my first house in Springhill Road lived up to its name with heavy clay soil that turned into a bog throughout the winter.
A few years later I was able to move to to a decent plot 270 feet long with space for all the veggies I wanted. There was also plenty of room for lawns with flower borders and even a small orchard at the end. The only drawback was the bungalow which was on the small side so that when my two children reached their teens another move was indicated.
This time it was to a large victorian house set in a quarter acre garden. The house was on a bend in the road so the plot was roughly triangular with the building standing well back thus leaving little room for veggies at the rear. Despite this I did manage to grow runner beans and a few other crops together with tomatoes and grapes in the greenhouse.
Now that our children are long gone, my wife and I moved to our present house at the end of last year. As you see from the picture the garden which lies east-west slopes gently down to a small stream at the bottom. On the left is a large wooden shed which the estate agent optimistically described as a summer house but which was used by the previous owner who was a kitchen fitter for storing his timber. The first few months have been spent waiting to see what would emerge in the borders and planning for major changes which will be carried out in the fall. High on the list are a wisteria and honeysuckle to cover the "summer house".
The first garden for which I was responsible was a one acre plot on a hillside overlooking Blantyre in Malawi. I spent three happy years experimenting with various flowers and vegetables but leaving all the hard work to my gardener.
Following my return to England in 1972 I became enthused by the ideas of self-sufficiency that were current at the time but unfortunately my first house in Springhill Road lived up to its name with heavy clay soil that turned into a bog throughout the winter.
A few years later I was able to move to to a decent plot 270 feet long with space for all the veggies I wanted. There was also plenty of room for lawns with flower borders and even a small orchard at the end. The only drawback was the bungalow which was on the small side so that when my two children reached their teens another move was indicated.
This time it was to a large victorian house set in a quarter acre garden. The house was on a bend in the road so the plot was roughly triangular with the building standing well back thus leaving little room for veggies at the rear. Despite this I did manage to grow runner beans and a few other crops together with tomatoes and grapes in the greenhouse.
Now that our children are long gone, my wife and I moved to our present house at the end of last year. As you see from the picture the garden which lies east-west slopes gently down to a small stream at the bottom. On the left is a large wooden shed which the estate agent optimistically described as a summer house but which was used by the previous owner who was a kitchen fitter for storing his timber. The first few months have been spent waiting to see what would emerge in the borders and planning for major changes which will be carried out in the fall. High on the list are a wisteria and honeysuckle to cover the "summer house".
Introduction and What it's All About
This Blog has been created to accompany my site www.garden-supplies-advisor.com and I plan to highlight items of gardening news and topics of interest that will be updated on a regular basis.
The website contains reviews of garden supplies, tools and accessories. Information on how to find all the best plants and seeds together with advice on cultivation. Its purpose is both to provide the information and advice you seek to plan your garden projects and also to help you find the plants, tools and supplies you need to realise your plans. Whether you are a beginner just starting out with your first garden or an experienced pro, I are sure you will find something of interest there.
The website contains reviews of garden supplies, tools and accessories. Information on how to find all the best plants and seeds together with advice on cultivation. Its purpose is both to provide the information and advice you seek to plan your garden projects and also to help you find the plants, tools and supplies you need to realise your plans. Whether you are a beginner just starting out with your first garden or an experienced pro, I are sure you will find something of interest there.
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