Types of Roses

The rose is an ancient symbol of love and beauty; many wonderful, beautiful rose types have been cultivated from travels around the world. Varieties have combined old and new, shrub and vine, and single and multi-colored selections.

Rose types are classified as perennials meaning that they flower in the spring or summer every year. They are well-known for their delicate texture and fragrant aroma, making them a favorite for many. Many varieties have developed over millennia to cope with different climates, now offering an abundance of choices.

Roses provide many different functions for landscape design including hedges, display and climbing features. Whether a garden is more sculpted and ordered or wild and free-flowing, they can add a powerful flair; as centerpieces to the arrangement.

Horticulturists have combined different varieties to add greater resistance to diseases and maladies. They have eight basic shapes and come in more than 100 different species.

Some types include old, modern, wild, climbing and ground cover. There are also various overlapping variations.

Old garden roses include Alba, Damask and Gallica, which tend to exhibit a powerful color and potent scent. They have been given classical names celebrating families, women and entire nations - Bourbons, Penelope and China.

Modern roses have been given interesting names like Dublin Boy, Floribunda, Little White Pet and Southampton. These varieties usually have a longer growing season, lasting from summer to autumn. Classifications for these roses are usually based on their flowering tendencies and habits; for example, the large-flowered shrub.

Wild roses include the Dog, Incense and Musk rose.

The Aloha, Altissimo, Danse de Feu and Bobbie James are all climbing roses. These variations are epeat-bloomers. Rambler roses are sometimes included with climbing roses, but differ in reaching larger sizes and are once-blooming.

Groundcover varieties have names like Broadlands, Ferdy and Grouse.

There are increasingly specialized roses cultivated for certain climates, such as, the Bermuda Mystery Roses, which are highly resistant to tropical fungal diseases and flourish in hot, humid climates.

Heights range from tiny to up to 60 feet tall! Many beautiful colors are available including purple, yellow and red; color combinations are also available.

Some types have hardiness ratings based on how the roses handle different climates. They are oftentimes crushed and distilled into perfumes. Roses are high in Vitamin C.

Pruning is a detailed skill. Pruning should be done at the proper time for the specific variety. Generally, old growth should be pruned away to provide space for new blooms. One-year-old canes should not be pruned, because doing so will remove future buds. Deal quickly with problems, such as, powdery mildew and aphids.

For best results, choose more healthy rose varieties to get the best growing results. Select roses based on your need, matching the rose variety to your garden.





By Gary Pearson

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Flowers And Weddings

It is an unwritten law that you cannot get married without flowers. Flowers are the essence of a beautiful wedding day celebration. Flowers are a three dimensional element of your decorating strategy. Because they are beautiful, elegant, and provide a wonderful scent, flowers satisfy all senses. The flowers you select should compliment everything else in your wedding. Its colors should complement not just your dress. The colors of your flowers work with the colors of the d?cor of your reception site and the ceremony location.

Unless you are lucky enough to be a florist, youll need to hire one. The florist should be experienced with wedding arrangements, and youll be hard pressed to find one that isnt. Make sure your florist is able to deliver, install, and remove the arrangements at the end of your event. Even though many reception halls can recommend a florist to you, you should do your homework. Ask for references, and be sure to follow up. It may be tempting to hire a florist without check references, but it could also be irresponsible.

Your wedding flowers should complement the season, your wedding dress, and your color scheme. Your wedding flowers should also complement your attendants' attire, and the style of your wedding. Before you talk to your florist, prepare a list of wedding flowers you'll need. It will help focus your discussions, and help you stay within your wedding budget.

When you plan the flower arrangements with your florist, she should be able to recommend arrangements based on the size and location of your wedding. Ask to see photos of previous wedding arrangements - Dont accept generic photos of flower arrangements, insist on seeing the work of the florist.-, which will give you a feel for their creative qualities and what you can expect to see on your wedding day. It is even better if you arrive prepared with some pictures and magazine cut outs with your ideas. You dont have to take the florists advice on everything, be part of the decision making process. If you feel strongly about a certain flower or color, it should worth fighting for it. It is your wedding, and you are the customer. You have to feel good about your flower arrangements. Your day is about you.



By: George Meszaros

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types of red flowers

Forget red roses, red tropical flowers are the ultimate in romantic red-hued floral. While other flowers are lovely, a tropical bloom in a dramatic shade of red really makes more of an intense statement. Generic run-of-the-mill flowers are so ordinary.

Giving red tropical flowers as a gift to that special someone in your life is a great idea because it lets the recipient know you consider them unique and special. Regular roses dont say that. Roses speak of classicism and tradition, while exotic or tropical flowers express a one-of-a-kind love.

Red tropical flowers are anything but ordinary. They pack a powerful punch and really fill a room with exotic beauty. Because tropical flowers have a different aesthetic than classic roses or tulips, they are often used as focal point in decorating or event planning.

Using red tropical flowers is somewhat like using exclamation marks or strong flavors in food. A little goes a long way. If you are planning to use dramatic red beauties for your wedding decorations, you will likely want to hold back a little, because they make a strong statement. You could liken them to a bold accent, paired with other natural hues.

There are many red tropical flowers available. You will want to do your research and find the ones that suit your taste and style. As you browse the many varieties, you may want to take several under consideration. A few types of red tropical flowers include:

Red Hibiscus flowers are very large blooms up to about six inches wide. These are dramatic plants of a very deep, saturated color.
Indian Shot is a native American red exotic flower. This flower blooms natively from northern Argentina to the southern United States. These flowers are most popular in arrangements, but not by themselves.
Weeping Bottle Brush produces bright red flowers. This plant is native to eastern Australia. The very vibrant, bright red stamen enhances the beautifully exotic appearance.
Brazilian Red Cloak or Red Justicia is a very large tropical flower. It is a hardy flower that last upwards of a month.

There are many varieties from which to choose. The above sampling offers just a few to consider. It is interesting to note that tropical flowers are indigenous to various countries and continents. Tropical flowers are not just native to tropical islands or exotic rainforests. Some red tropical flowers may be available where you live. A reputable florist should be able to discuss which, if any, red tropical flowers grow near you.

Decorating with tropical red flowers can be a very good way to make a bold statement using few large flowers. Red is so vibrant, so visible that you may be able to decorate from a less is more standpoint. The impact of red tropical flowers is dramatic and overdoing it with too many of these flowers can be too much for the eye. Finding the red tropical flowers to suit your style and taste just takes a little browsing and meandering through florist shops, online and in person

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Blue Flowers Add Style And Color To Any Garden

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 will not 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.

Consider the flowers on the list below for your garden.

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

Campanula aka 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 aka 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 aka 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 aka 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 aka 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 aka Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn a plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes and planters.



By: David Chandler

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The Best Flowers For Spring

After a long, cold winter, you are probably anxious for the first signs of spring. Springtime automatically brings thoughts of flowers. Choosing the best flowers for spring can be difficult and it is often confusing. Perhaps the most effective way to ensure spring flowers that bloom each year is to plant bulbs in the fall to mid-winter. There are of course flowering plants that you can purchase from your local nursery, but you will want to make sure any chance of freezing weather has passed before planting and in many areas of the country, spring does not arrive until late in the season and by that time you will want to plants flowers in anticipation of summer. You always have the option of purchasing bulbs that have been grown in pots over the winter and are in stock in most garden centers beginning in the late winter months. Here are a few choices of flowering plants that are suitable to plant now and will produce early spring flower:

Winter Aconite, or Eranthis hyemalis, will give you yellow flowers approximately three inches in height and resemble common buttercups. These particular bulbs may begin to flower as early as January if you live in a warm area and you will get the best results if you plant them in masses as they grow low to the ground.

Glory Of The Snow, or Chionodoxa luciliare, produce flowers that are bright blue with a white center. The plants will grow between six and ten inches tall, making this particular plant very handy for walkways, borders, and rock gardens. You may also be able to find white/pink varieties depending on the area in which you live

Spring Snowflake, or leucojum vernum, give you bell-shaped flowers that droop from the green part of the plant. These plants will be six to twelve inches in height and are white in color with small green spots on the ends of the petals. You will get the best results if you plant them in clumps and you can expect to see blooms in late February to early March. As with any other springtime bulb, they are best planted in the fall but you can plant in the mid to late winter if you purchase potted bulbs that have already begun the growing cycle.

Netted Iris, or iris reticulate, are wonderfully scented and are most commonly purple in color, although you can also find light blue and white irises in many areas. Irises are one of the earliest blooming plants and you can expect a beautiful display of flowers in early March. As with any other type of bulb, after several growing seasons you will have to thin the bulbs from time to time, as they tend to reproduce rapidly and could actually begin to stunt the growth of the plants due to over-crowding


By: Jennifer Houck

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How To Decorate Your Garden With Blue Flowers

When decorating your garden with blue flowers, it can add a rich splash of color to your garden. Plant them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for a rainbow of color.

The important thing when planting flowers is 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.

You must be aware of the bloom time of the flowers when planning you garden. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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


By: Mary Williams

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Winter Flowers

Winter is that time of the year when the coziest thing you can think of doing is curling up near the fire with a hot mug of chocolate while staring outside the window at the cold bleak day. But winters also that time of the year when Valentines Day is just around the corner. What better way than to infuse warmth and color to your life by gifting your beloved some colorful and beautiful winter flowers? Contrary to popular belief, winter is not the time flowers wave good bye to everyone till the return next spring. There are many flowers that bloom primarily in winter, and can bring just the right amount of liveliness and romance to your chilly Valentines Day celebrations.

No Valentines Day is complete without some exquisite blooms to compliment that candle lit dinner, the sexy outfit and that romantic rendezvous. These winter flowers will not only create the right ambiance for your cozy interlude but will also lighten up your mood. Well, studies have shown that receiving flowers has an almost immediate positive effect on our moods. So let the candles burn in their heady perfume, clink those champagne glasses together, gaze deep into each others eyes, make a toast to your everlasting relationship and let the flowers perform the rest of the magic.

Now that the ambiance is set, the essential thing to do is to choose the right kind of flowers to compliment your private soir?e. Depending on the mood you are in, ranging between pure fun and frolic to romantic and intense, its easy to find flowers to the set the mood right and add that finishing touch to any occasion.

The first flower that comes to mind - especially when thinking of Valentines Day - is of course the infamous red rose. One of the great poets, Gertrude Stein immortalized the rose in her famous line a rose a rose a rose. Or we go back to the 15th century, Alfred Noyes stated that the Language of Roses originated in Persia. This language was particularly popular in the 19th century. They say that lovers could have entire conversations through roses. A rose symbolizes romance and all the emotions that come associated with it. When it comes to picking a rose, you can choose from reds to pinks to maroons. Other winter blooms also come in a wide variety of colors and types. You can pick up flowers like elegant lilies, amaryllis in reds and whites, tulips in reds, pinks, whites, bouvardias, exotic orchids, chrysanthemums in yellows, pinks, and reds, and hyacinths too.

Whether you are looking to paint that intense romantic evening with flowers or to add color to an elegant all white dinner engagement, winter blooms can help you perfect your theme for the evening. When you want to say those three important words to your lady love, or pop the age-old question of living happily ever after, why not begin by giving her some of these lovely winter flowers? Oh and dont forget the diamond ring!



By: Amy Nutt

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