KarensGardenTips.com » Floristry

Plant Profile: Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)

Karen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:00:02 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

If you know this shrubby perennial by its common name, Mediterranean spurge, you probably know that it thrives in dry hot climates. And you can probability guess that it languishes in hot humid areas. Well-drained soil and full sun produce the best looking plants with rounded [...]

Plant Profile: Brazilian Vervain (Verbena bonariensis)

Karen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Brazilian Vervain (Verbena bonariensis)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

This is not a plant that will catch your eye the first moment you look at a garden but it creates a subtle mood especially when planted as a “see through” plant at the front of the border. The tall wiry stems have few leaves and [...]

Plant Profile: Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)

Karen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:00:01 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Read 'Plant Profile: Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com. One of the most useful plants with silvery white foliage is Senecio cineraria. I use the Latin name because there are many plants known as Dusty Miller, none of them as easy to find and grow as this one. A native of the Mediterranean area it [...]

How to Make a Flower from a Lemon, Lime, and Strawberry

Karen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:00:20 +0000

Read 'How to Make a Flower from a Lemon, Lime, and Strawberry' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When company is coming over you may want to dress up a tray of hors d’oeuvres or appetizers. Sure, parsley will add some color and texture but how about something with more pizazz? Perhaps some flowers made out of fruit. Sounds [...]

Plant Profile: Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)

Karen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:58 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When you see this plant for the first time covered with flowers you can’t help wonder how it ever got the name “zinnia”. Creeping is understandable, as it is very low growing and forms a nice dense mass of leaves and flowers, but the flowers look [...]

Five Plants to Grow for Fall Berries

Karen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:00:45 +0000

Read 'Five Plants to Grow for Fall Berries' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When the leaves fall in autumn and the first frost sweeps over the garden I always wish I had more plants that produce ornamental berries. The berries can provide color in the garden, attract birds and other wildlife, and be used in the arrangements for [...]

Plant Profile: Rose Mallow (Lavatera trimestris)

Karen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Rose Mallow (Lavatera trimestris)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Check out the botanical name on this one because there are several plants that go by the name rose mallow. This plant is a large, bushy annual with the flowers that resemble hibiscus, a relative and member of the Malvaceae family. The flowers are not only [...]

Plant Profile: Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Karen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:00:57 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Sweet William has charmed flower lovers for centuries and even in modern times Kate Middletown included it in her bridal bouquet to honor her groom. The fringed and toothed flowers come in white, various shades of pink, red, purple and bicolors, and are borne in dense [...]

Plant Profile: Baby’s Breath (Gypsophilia paniculata)

Karen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:17 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Baby’s Breath (Gypsophilia paniculata)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Everybody who has ever seen a bouquet of flowers from a florist has probably seen baby’s breath because it is the number one filler flower for florists. It’s virtues, however, don’t stop there and it can be a very useful and attractive garden flower. The plant [...]

Plant Profile: Cinderella Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

Karen — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:17 +0000

Read 'Plant Profile: Cinderella Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Whether you want to make pie or a flower arrangement, the Cinderella pumpkin is a good choice. It gets its name from its resemblance to the carriage that Cinderella’s fairy godmother created from a pumpkin for her ride to the ball. In France they call it [...]