A Rose Is Not Just Another Flower

There is no doubt about it. A rose is one of the most beautiful of all God’s creations. That being said, there is also a widely held belief that roses are difficult to grow. When in fact, they are actually quite easy to grow and far less demanding then most people think.

In addition to being beautiful, the rose is a very versatile flower. It is the flower most often used in wedding bouquets and delivered on Valentines day. A single rose can say “I love you” in a way that no other flower can do.

Most roses bloom all summer long. They love the sunshine and to be watered at root level. They do not like water on the flower itself. And to retaliate, the buds won’t bloom and the full flowers will develop ugly spots. So no high-shooting sprinklers please.

A rose is beautiful all by itself or grouped with other flowers. Place a single rose in a bud vase with a sprig of fern or baby’s breath in the guest or powder room to let your guests know how glad you are they are there.

Todays roses come in a large variety of colors, both solid and some mixed. There are white, yellow, various shades of pink and red, lavender and even roses which appear to be black.

The white rose is most often the flower of choice for weddings due to white being the color of purity. Yellow roses are good for impersonal gifts. Because a yellow rose is a symbol of friendship and trust, they are a good choice for friends, co-workers, secretaries and teachers. A pink or lavender rose is a good choice for family members such as mothers aunts, and grandmothers. While the red rose brings with it the connotation of a deeper love between a man and a woman.

If you have some rose bushes in your garden, you probably already know the importance of dead heading your roses in order to promote new growth. But wait, don’t just toss those spent flowers into the recycle bin! Instead, strip the flower head of the remaining petals and place them in a colander. Leave the colander in the sun and “stir” the petals every few days. When completely dry, store the petals in a paper bag.

By the end of summer you should have enough petals to fill several bowls to place throughout the house. By mixing in a few drops of fragrant oil, you can continue to enjoy your roses several more months. In fact, your own home- grown potpourri will be well accepted when received as Christmas gifts.

For more information on roses, visit http://www.cominguproses.info/

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This post was written by admin on November 18, 2008

Seven Easy Ways to Celebrate Beltane

The first of May is Beltane or May Day, a time to celebrate the leaping fires of passion. It marks the height of spring and the flowering of all life. Beltane is a festival of sensuality, sexuality, flowers and delight. It is a traditional time to make love, preferably outdoors.

There are many lovely old customs associated with this time. Here are seven simple ideas for celebrating this wild red time of year:

1. Make a May basket. Fill it with flowers or other outdoor objects. Leave it on a doorstep of someone who cannot get outside, such as an invalid or elderly person.

2. Make a wreath of freshly picked flowers and wear it in your hair.

3. Perfume your house with delicate scent of woodruff, a tiny, star-like flower that blooms around this time in the Northern Hemisphere.

4. Dress in bright colors, especially hot pink or crimson, the traditional colors of Beltane.

5. Erect a Maypole in your yard. It doesn’t have to be tall. You can use a yardstick, broomstick, or even a twig. At the top of the pole affix different colored ribbons. Get a group of friends, and have each choose a ribbon and make a wish upon it. (For example, “I choose this red ribbon for more passion in my life.”) Dance around the Maypole entwining your ribbons together. Then take the entwined ribbons and make a hair wreath out of them. Take turns wearing it.

6. Embrace the ones you love. Hugs and kisses all around.

7. Write poetry about Beltane, and then recite your poems aloud, preferably outside. Try haiku, an ancient Japanese poetry-art form. Haiku consist of three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five syllables. Here are three haiku about May to give you the idea:

Happy women weave
colored ribbons round their hearts
dreams become prayers

flap your black swan wings
hoot like a young chimpanzee
dance a lively dance

petals will open
roses show their hot male hearts
make love to yourself

Holidays are days made holy by the attention we pay them. Simple practices such as the ones listed above remind us that we too dance to the natural rhythms of the earth.

Kim Pearson is an author and ghostwriter who has ghostwritten or edited more than 30 non-fiction books and memoirs, plus authoring 7 books of fiction, poetry and non-fiction of her own. For more information click here.

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This post was written by admin on November 15, 2008

Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquets and Boutonnieres vs Flowers

Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres are the ideal way to do something that is different and incredibly beautiful on your big day. They provide a perfect way to extend the theme of crystals or pearls that are in your dress and jewelry throughout your entire wedding party and d?cor.

The benefits of choosing crystals over flowers for you wedding day are endless. In my personal opinion, the number one reason to choose a crystal bouquet is the sheer impact of the sparkle that will catch your guests eyes as you walk around the corner. The first thing that you do is not only shine, but you will twinkle. The bouquets will fill rooms with rainbows if they are in natural sunlight and are unbelievably sparkly and bright even in candle light.

I have learned recently that not all women are head-over-heels for flowers. If you happen to be one of these, whether it is due to allergies or simply personal preference, don’t worry because you have an alternative to traditional bouquets and boutonnieres (see link below). You can choose crystals for your entire party or you can decide to set yourselves apart from the rest and just you and your groom can carry and wear them, this is up to you.

Another benefit of crystal bouquets and boutonnieres is that that they can be shipped very easily. Since destination weddings are very popular these days, you don’t have to worry about not being able to meet with a local florist before your wedding date. You can purchase your bouquets months ahead of time and take them with you.

Preservation of floral arrangements can be very pricey if you decide to pay someone to do it for you, yet very tedious and frustrating if you try to do it yourself. With Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres you don’t have to deal with any of it, the arrangements will look exactly the same as they did on your wedding day eternally, and you don’t have to do a thing. When you think about it, they are heirlooms from the day they are purchased.

The arrangements can also be customized to coordinate with your color scheme by using any of the myriads of colors, or combination of colors, that you have to choose from in Swarovski crystals and pearls. You can also match the colors of the ribbons to your bridal party’s dresses and tuxedos, the possibilities are endless.

Penny Olson is the owner and designer for Brilliant Wedding Jewelry
Swarovski Crystal Wedding Boutonnieres
Swarovski Crystal Wedding Bouquets

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This post was written by admin on November 12, 2008

Which Flowers Do Well As Centerpieces Color Coordination

If you are anything like the average American, decorating with centerpieces might not be the first thing that comes to mind as you prepare for a gathering. Although it is not always thought of it does give the atmosphere and excellent extra touch. There a few steps to consider when contemplating which centerpiece to purchase or make for your event. Considerations should follow in the order of: choosing a color palate relevant to your event or season, searching for the best deal, and showcasing it properly.

Making sure the centerpiece that you chose is relevant to the colors of the event you are holding is first and foremost and so a little thought must be placed into the purpose of the selection. Weddings have a common color scheme of white, red or what ever the palate that the bride has chosen for the event. If the holiday is Thanksgiving the colors should reflect the fall colors such as orange, brown, and yellow. Easter get-togethers might call for a paler palate of the blues, pinks, oranges, greens, and yellows.

Once you have what colors you desire, then you can begin to look around at the floral shops. Some have specials that you might want to consider as well. Depending on the quality you desire, you might actually be able to score a better deal yet. Roses at the end of their shelf life can be a dime a dozen and if the event you are holding is only a day or two away then you might turnout with some extra change in your pocket.

Lastly, just throwing a basket of flowers in the center of a table won’t always achieve the effect you are seeking. Often it can be enhanced by what will be around it. Food dishes, placemats, plate settings and table runners can all lead to the success of a perfect table presentation thus adding to the mood of the environment.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Huge selection of grower direct Flowers Delivered right to your door.

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This post was written by admin on November 9, 2008

How to Pick Perfect Birthday Flowers for Men

Men love flowers, but for some reason flowers are not the first thing that comes to mind when an individual is looking for a man’s birthday gift. However, the idea that flowers are only for women is a complete misconception. In fact, many surveys taken by men show that the vast majority of men would enjoy receiving flowers for their birthday or other special occasions, so gift givers should take note. As such, flowers should be considered as a gift for any man whether he be a father, husband, boyfriend or son.

The flowers that are most appropriate for men, regardless of the position the man holds in your life, are flowers that are bright and vibrant in reds, oranges and yellows. Because of this, roses, Gerber daisies and carnations are always great choices. Also, any birth month flower would be an appropriate birthday gift not to mention any particular favorite flower the man might have from orchids to a cactus. Of course, if you are sending birthday flowers to your husband or boyfriend red roses are just as appropriate for men as they are for women and represent the love and passion in the relationship.

Flowers specifically for a dad or a son should not be passionate, but loving and show appreciation and thoughtfulness on their special day. Again, bright colored flowers should be sent and plants and bonsai trees are also great choices.

Different months of the year have corresponding flowers, much like birthstones. January is the snowdrop and carnation; February the primrose and violet; March the violet and jonquil; April flowers are the daisy and sweet pea; May represents lily of the valley and hawthorn; June is the rose and honeysuckle; July the water lily and larkspur; August represents the gladiolus and poppy; September the Morning Glory and Aster; October the Marigold; November, chrysanthemum; and December birthday’s the Poinsettia and Holly.

Regardless of whose birthday it is whether man or woman, son or daughter, husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, flowers are always an appropriate and thoughtful gift that will be appreciated immensely.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. She enjoyed the online shopping experience with a flower shop in Manchester for flower delivery in Fife and flower delivery in Liverpool.

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This post was written by admin on November 6, 2008

Perennials for Your Garden - The Low Maintenance Choice

Perennials are plants and flowers that will stay in your garden for more than one gardening season. Some perennials will bloom for up to three years, and others will bloom for longer. One of the best things about perennials is that they are very low maintenance, which makes them popular choices for a lot of people. Annuals require much more care and tending to. If you are looking for a simple garden that doesn’t require much time and attention, try planting perennials. When you choose perennials carefully and plan their planting, they will last for many years.

When you plant perennials in your garden, don’t expect to see much in the first year. During this first growing season, the perennials are getting used to their new environment. Some perennials will produce new blooms in the first year, but some won’t have any progress until the second year. The second year for perennials is often the most dramatic. During this growing season, perennial plants and flowers start to fill out and take hold of their environment.

When you plant perennials, you need to pay careful attention to soil quality, water availability and sunlight. These factors can all affect the growth and longevity of your perennials. During your planning, make sure to plant your perennials with plenty of space for them to grow. Make sure not to put them too close together because you may have to move them in the future. Although this leaves some bare spots in your garden, it is important to leave room.

If you are concerned about the sparse look of your perennial garden in the first year, try planting annuals in the spaces between the perennials. The annual flowers will add color and vibrancy to your garden, but won’t be in the way of the growth of your perennials. Annual plants and flowers grow and bloom for just one growing season, but they do bloom quickly and have an instant gratification factor that perennials don’t offer.

© Cookgroup Marketing LLC - All Rights Reserved. This article brought to you by Grow-Your-Garden.com/ . You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice, author name, and URL remain intact. Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC. His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor & Travel Destinations.

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This post was written by admin on November 3, 2008

Fall Garden Chores for Spring Flowering Bulbs

As the school busses begin to rumble down the road again we are reminded that the gardening season is drawing to a close. For the gardener with an eye toward next spring, however, the season still promises plenty to be done in preparation of a showy spring to come. Early fall is the time when we should be planting our bulbs.

Good soil drainage is paramount for spring-blooming bulb success. If you have a mostly clay soil be sure to mix in organic material such as compost to lighten the soil. The soil pH should be between 6 and 7. If you need assistance in determining your soil pH or in discovering how to manage its level refer to your local agricultural extension service for help.

Spring flowering bulbs are great for beds, in borders, and in rock gardens. These early risers prefer to be planted in areas which will not receive direct sunlight during the midday, especially once the hot summer months roll back around.

Wait until soil temperatures are below 60 F (16 C) before planting. If you purchase your bulbs before the cold season sets in you may keep them in your refrigerator until the soil has cooled sufficiently. The fall planting ensures the bulbs will have adequate opportunity to develop a strong root system before they come up in the spring and early summer to greet you.

When you are ready to plant your bulbs, follow the directions carefully for the depth and spacing requirements and be certain to loosen the soil beneath the depth of planting. The easiest fertilization method for your spring bulbs is a single application of a sulfur-coated, slow-release fertilizer incorporated into the bottom of your bulb hole at planting time. After having placed the bulbs in their new home, begin to cover them with the soil you removed to dig the hole. When you have covered the bulbs halfway give them a thorough soaking before covering them with the remaining soil.

With such wonderful options as corn lily, grape hyacinth and tulips your work will be rewarded in the spring with the finest of gardening pleasures. The joy can possibly only be compared to the sound of the school busses rumbling down the road.

Ed Rooney is the creator of http://www.garden-helper.com - an online gardening resource for gardeners to learn, share, plan and shop.

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This post was written by admin on October 31, 2008

Flowering From Within

Imagine 10,000 seeds hidden in a box in your closet. If these seeds had voice and life, what would they say? “give me the soil, Allow the sun…let me flower….” Similarly, you have so much potential, that is unexplored yet. Healing is a path to get in touch with your true potential.

What is healing?

Remember that time when you opened your eyes for the first time?
Freshness in your eyes and an enthusiasm to connect with life and everything around.
May be you visited planet earth to celebrate life.
Restoring your spiritual integrity, becoming sound and whole again and letting go off all your non-supportive energies is what we call your healing process.

All the secrets are held within the seed.

Can we look at the seed of an apple and see the tree, the fruits, and the blossoms?

The seeds of our soul’s destiny lie dormant within. As the light of understanding, the warmth of compassion and the waters of willingness nourish these seeds, the soul’s inner purpose awakens. The path is revealed.

Heart holds the key

The eyes are blind. One must look within the heart.
So do not believe the eyes, trust your heart and remember to look through it,
and then you will come to know things unbelievable. And unless one comes to know the unbelievable, one has not known at all.

Healing is the master key

Healing is the master key. It can open the doors of the infinite and it can unlock the mystery of the unknown. But just by possessing the key nothing is attained, unless one uses it.

Copyright © Inner Cosmos - flowering from within, chakra energy healing school in Los Angeles - California

Love and Blessings, Satish
http://www.chakramagic.com
http://www.innercosmos.com/

Healings are offered by Satish Dholakia, a dedicated spiritual healer - teacher and Master NLP practitioner from Mumbai, India. Not bound to any traditions or philosophies, he prefers to heal and teach from the spontaneous flow through him. Clairvoyant and Clairaudient since a child, he spent years in communion with the divine, sharing his psychic gifts with an open heart. Satish founded Inner Cosmos in Mumbai, India in 1991 currently offers energy healing classes and private sessions in Los Angeles, California. Group classes are offered internationally upon request.

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This post was written by admin on October 28, 2008

Valentines Day Flowers

Flowers have long been a coveted and integral aspect of Valentine’s Day traditions. Ever since the advent of Valentine’s Day festivities, flowers have symbolized the essence of the day. On this special day, whether it is a single flower or a garland, the sole expression reflected is the message of love.

History reveals that the tradition of giving flowers on St. Valentine’s Day first became popular in the seventeenth century with the introduction of “the language of flowers” (Persian poetical art) to the west by Charles II of Sweden. During those days, flowers were amongst the most common ways to communicate non-verbal messages of love or friendship.

The conventional significance endorsed with the rose synchronizes Goddess Venus’s favorite flower with Valentine’s Day. Moreover, the symbolic connotation of love, romance, and passion associated with the rose qualifies it as the preferred choice for St. Valentine’s Day.

Roses symbolize love, but their many colors have special meanings. While the red rose remains the ultimate symbol of romantic love and enduring passion during Valentine’s Day, other colors of the daynamely white, pink, and yellowalso merge with the meaning of the roses. For instance, white roses reflect purity of the mind and pink roses signify fun and happiness. A yellow rose on Valentine’s Day connotes friendship.

Other flowers also color Valentine’s Day with their fragrance. A posy flamboyant amaryllis and red lilies could be a wonderful way to communicate greetings for Valentine’s Day. Scented white tuberoses and sunflowers that spell admiration and adulation are also well in tune with the sentiments of the day.

Flowers for Valentine’s Day reveal the unraveled emotions, which often cannot be expressed through words. Nowadays, flashy and ostentatious gifts are the priorities for the day, however this in no way undermines the significance of flowers. The legacy of generations to make the most of nature’s bountiful flora to convey the sentimental finesse that adorns the day reiterates the strong bonding between flowers and Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day provides detailed information on Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day Gifts, Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets, Valentine’s Day Cards and more. Valentines Day is affiliated with Mexican Holidays.

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This post was written by admin on October 25, 2008

A Flower Picture for Christmas

Remember your elementary school days when drawing a picture of a flower at school would suffice as a beautiful piece of artwork to display on your refrigerator? At least, your mom and dad thought so

This time around, you are older, and you probably do not have the desire to draw, nor post your personal art on the family fridge. But mentioning this does have meaning, because Christmas is approaching, a time to reflect on your loved ones, and the memories that you treasure with them. Specifically, your parents, recipients of your many pieces of childhood art, can be reminded of your sentimental artwork with a decorative flower picture.

Giving your parents a flower picture will be a reminder of your childhood artwork. This time though, you have opted to give them such a picture that can hang as a decorative ornament, not just on your fridge. Displayed in the kitchen or living room walls, or as a bathroom decoration, a flower picture will add beauty to the setting of a room.

A distinctive kind of picture

A unique style of art, this kind of picture brings fresh flowers pressed and preserved between two pieces of glass, and enjoyed as an exquisite display of floral art. Real flowers, whether displayed in a frame or in a vase, will add a colorful presence to the room. Especially during the holidays, when decorations are frequent, flower pictures or displays will bring a refreshing outdoor creation into the home.

A unique decoration

Especially during Christmas, decorations in the home will be frequent with a Christmas tree in the living room, a holiday wreath at the front door, or Christmas lights radiating the home. Likewise, a d?cor as small as a flower picture will capture the holidays with ivy leaves or red verbena, displayed on the wall.

This Christmas, think a bit outside of the box and don’t refer to the traditional gifts you’re used to giving your parents. Instead, decorate your parents’ home with a wall decoration, perhaps a flower picture, or something else to help beautify the home you grew up in. Your parents will appreciate a home decoration such as a flower picture because it brings on sentimental value. Only this time around, your flower picture will be more deserving than being placed on a refrigerator door!

Wall-Art-Concepts offers one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, pressed floral art, including flower pictures for the walls of your home.

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This post was written by admin on October 22, 2008