Delphinium
May 01st, 2009 | Author: Artemis
Delphinium

Delphinium

Origins
A member of the Ranunculaceae family, larkspurs are closely related to delphiniums and are easily confused with standard delphiniums because both are characterized by large, showy flowers densely packed on sturdy spikes. However, larkspurs’ more delicate, fern-like foliage sets them apart from their botanical relative.

Growing Delphinium

Delphinium plants can be either hardy or half hardy perennials.

Delphinium are very variable in height depending on the variety and can grow from anything from 15cm to over 2 metres in height.

They bloom with tall spires with flowers of blue, pink, purple, yellow or white.

The timing of flowering is variable between species of Delphinium, and can be anything from the end of spring to autumn.

When growing Delphinium outdoors from seed they should be sown either at the beginning of spring or the beginning of autumn; simply cover the seeds with topsoil. The spacing will depend upon the variety (small species about 40cm apart; large ones about 80cm apart). They can grow in either a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden that has good drainage. The soil should be rich, deep and have a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.

Once growing Delphinium should be fed with fertilizer at the beginning of spring. Taller varieties of Delphinium should be staked. As soon as the first bloom is over the flowers should be cut off; this will result in further growth; once the new growth has reached about 20cm then the old growth should be pruned off. If you require more Delphinium plants then they can be propagated by division; this can be carried out in the spring.

Availability and Vase Life
Year round, with peak periods June through September.
7-10 days.

Care and Handling
Larkspurs dry well. Select stems for drying with fully open flower spikes.

Design Uses
Virsitile linear element for arranging.

Colors: Lavender, purple, pink, and white.

Larkspur can be found in striking shades of blue, lavender, pink and white. Stems can grow to nearly 5 feet tall, making them perfect as a filler flower or a tall backdrop for other flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous,and should be kept away from small children and pets. In fact, when larkspurs were first cultivated at the time of the pharaohs, they were used as a remedy for ridding oneself of body vermin.

Category: Flowers  | Tags: , , ,  | 73 Comments
Queen Anne’s Lace
May 01st, 2009 | Author: Artemis
Queen Ann's Lace - Ammi

Queen Ann's Lace - Ammi

Origins
Commonly confused with Dacus Carota (Wild Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace, Queen’s Lace, A Devil’s Plague), Ammi majus is actually called bishop’s weed but is used extensively in the floral trade as “Queen Anne’s Lace.”

Ammi are medium sized plants that have white blooms carried on 15 cm wide flower heads. They make ideal plants for a wildflower garden.

Growing Queen Anne’s Lace

It is best to sow Bishop’s weed on the soil surface then give them a light dusting of soil, with a spacing of 25 to 35 cm for smaller species and up to 100 cm apart for larger species in the early spring, before the last frost. They can grow in light shade or full sunlight. The soil should be fertile and moist.Ammi requires between 1 and 4 weeks to germinate, if germinating indoors it is ideal to keep the temperature at 13 to 18 degrees celsius. Grow them for seven or eight weeks before putting them out in the spring.

Bishop’s weed is easy to look after, though they require watering in the dry spells of summer.

Availability and Vase Life
Year round.
5-7 days.

Design Uses
An interesting filler in mixed arrangements. It dries easily for use in dried arrangements.

Colors: White

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Amaryllis
May 01st, 2009 | Author: Artemis
Amaryllis

Amaryllis

Origins
Known botanically as hippeastrum, from the Greek hippos, which means “horse,” amaryllis blooms are huge, trumpet-shaped flowers clustered atop stately long, leafless stems. Members of the Amaryllidaceae family, amaryllises are at home in the tropics, and are native to South America and Africa. The flowers are traditionally sold during the winter holidays–both as cut flowers and packaged in potted bulb kits.

The large, bell-shaped or lily-like flowers of the amaryllis and its hybrids make excellent garden subjects and pot plants.

When used as individual specimens, in mass plantings, as part of perennial borders or as low plantings in front of shrub borders, amaryllis provide spectacular flower effects. They have a wide range of flower colors from red, pink and white to combinations of these. Their large, robust flowers of beautiful textures add to their appeal.

When properly handled and cared for properly, an amaryllis bulb may produce flowers for up to 75 years. Good quality bulbs of named varieties may produce up to six flowers on a single stalk.

Growing Amaryllis

Amaryllis will grow in almost any good garden soil as long as it is well-drained. An elevated bed (6 to 12 inches above the existing grade) may be necessary to assure good drainage. A soil rich in organic matter will provide best growth.

Ideally, late September or early October is the recommended time for planting outdoors. If you are transplanting bulbs from older crowded beds, transplant them in fall when the foliage turns yellow and begins drooping (a natural process at the end of the growing season).

Plant bulbs about a foot apart leaving the tops barely covered with soil. Mulch the planting to conserve moisture and to help control weeds.  You can overwinter the bed with a heavy layer of mulch for winter protection.

Availability and Vase Life
Year round, with peak supplies from October through May.
7-14 days.

Care and Handling
If storing in a cool place, keep temperatures between 41-50 F. Temperatures below that may result in discoloration of petals and buds. Handle amaryllis carefully as blooms bruise easily.

Design Uses
An amaryllis stem is striking when used alone or in a vegatative design. Allow room in an arrangement for the flowers to open fully. Heavy amaryllis blooms may need the extra security and support of a hyacinth stake or bamboo rod inserted into the hollow stem. The stem tends to curl outward when standing in water, which does not affect the life of the flower, but can disturb a design. To remedy, wrap a piece of clear tape or a rubber band around the end of each stem.

Colors: Reds, pinks, oranges, salmons, white, and bi-colors.

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African Lily
May 01st, 2009 | Author: Artemis
African Lily - Agapanthus

African Lily - Agapanthus

Origins
A member of the Amaryllidaceae family, the agapanthus derives its name from the Greek words for “love” and “flower.” Agapanthus orientalis and Agapanthus africanus, 2 of about 9 species in this group of South African herbs, and the varieties used most often by florists, have many lovable characteristics. Large, round heads covered with blue or white tubular flowers top each tall, elegant agapanthus stem.

Growing African Lilies

Agapanthus can have stalks from 60 to 120cm in height. The African lily has funnel shaped white or blue flowers, and thick strap like leaves.

It is best to sow African Lilies just below the soil surface, with a spacing of 45 to 60 cm after the last frost of spring. African lilies prefer light shade or full sunlight. The soil should be well drained and moist. Agapanthus species require between 20 days and 90 days to germinate.

Agapanthus care is pretty easy as Blue African lilies are fairly easy to care for, they require regular watering and should be fertilised every couple of weeks whilst growing. When grown from seed African lilies may take as long as 4 years of growth before they flower. The plants should be deadheaded, to maintain yearly healthy blooming.

Availability and Vase Life
Peak May through August, with limited supply available year round.
6-10 Days

Design Uses
Provides a strong line element with a bold but spacious quality. Individual florets can be wired and taped for corsage work.

Colors: Blue, lavender, and white.

Category: Flowers  | Tags: , , , , ,  | 39 Comments
Peruvian Lily
April 30th, 2009 | Author: Artemis
Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily, Inca Lily)

Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily, Inca Lily)

Meaning
Wealth, prosperity, fortune

Origins
Of South American origin, alstroemeria–also known as Peruvian lily–is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is related to the onion, daffodil, agapanthus and nerine. Brought to Europe in the 18th century to be named by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, alstroemerias are now grown internationally.

Availability and Vase Life

Alstroemeria grow well in sun or partial shade, but the soil should be rich and well-drained. They don’t like to be moved too much, the roots break easily, so plan well when you plant them or dig VERY deeply if you must move them. If you live in a hot climate partial shade is best, and again, make sure the soil is not too dry. They will grow 2-3 foot tall, and eventually form larger “bunches”. Some varities may need to be staked.

Readily available in ample supply year-round, alstroemerias come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, yellow, salmon, red, lavender, orange, bronze and bicolors.

They’re ethylene-sensitive flowers, but with proper care and handling, alstroemerias may attain a vase life of 6-14 days, depending upon the cultivar. Avoid buying flowers with yellowing or transparent leaves; these are signs of ethylene damage.

Care and Handling
Trim stems under water. Place flowers in a clean container containing a properly prepared solution of fresh flower food. Avoid using water with high fluoride levels, if possible, since alstroemerias are susceptible to fluoride damage.

Design Uses
Alstroemerias are exceedingly versatile flowers–in terms of both color and form. Always a perfect color highlight for seasonal vase arrangements, they also serve as lovely line flowers in more contemporary arrangements, and–in a short-stemmed cluster–as vivid focal areas. Stripping the foliage is often advisable, since it will yellow long before the flowers fade.

Category: Flowers  | Tags: , ,  | 195 Comments
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