Plant Gardens 101

Besides the obvious reason that they are simply beautiful, there are a myriad of other reasons why you may want these flittering creatures to come to your garden. These reasons are both practical as well as mystical when you consider the role of the butterfly in the ecosystem as well as the symbolic representation of butterflies throughout different cultures.

We think that’s the most interesting part about attracting butterflies – what they mean and symbolize in history. We’ll look at that part first. You may be quite surprised and learn a bit in the process!

Butterflies have inspired humankind since antiquity, not just for their decorative value but also as spiritual beings, symbolic of metamorphosis, rebirth, love, hope, and freedom. This is the only article that explores the butterfly’s role in myth, religion, literature, art, and the decorative arts, and includes magnificent pictures ranging from ancient stone carvings to modern furniture, Pompeian mosaics to Sevres porcelain. (more…)

Plants that attract butterflies can be divided into two categories; those that attract adults, and those that are food plants for butterfly larvae (Caterpillars). To attract more than just the passing wanderer, plant a good mix from both categories.

By providing plants that the caterpillars can feed on, you will surely have butterflies come and stay. Please remember that Caterpillars will eat the foliage of these plants; therefore, you must accept the damage and forgo the insecticides. Adults searching for nectar are attracted to, red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple blossoms, flat-topped or clustered flowers and short flower tubes Short flower tubes allow the butterflies to reach the nectar with their proboscis. Nectar-producing plants should be grown in open, sunny areas, as adults of most species rarely feed on plants in the shade. (more…)

Cinnamon is actually more than a delicious addition to food. One of the oldest spices known and long used in traditional medicine, cinnamon is currently being studied for its beneficial effects on a variety of ailments. Indeed, recent findings on the power of cinnamon to promote health, in particular its benefits for people with type II diabetes, have elevated it to the status of a Super Spice.

Perhaps the most exciting discovery concerning cinnamon is its effect on blood glucose levels as well as on triglyceride and cholesterol levels, all of which could benefit people suffering from type II diabetes. In one study of 60 patients with type II diabetes, it was found that after only forty days of taking about half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, fasting serum glucose levels were lowered by 18 to 29 percent, triglycerides by 23 to 30 percent, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by 7 to 27 percent, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26 percent. (more…)

Recent findings on the power of garlic to fight cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, give garlic the bona fide characteristics to elevate it to Superfood status.

Throughout the history of civilization, the medicinal properties of garlic have been prized, and it’s been used to treat an array of ailments, including atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, cerebral aging, arthritis, and cataract formation. Garlic’s power as a heath promoter comes from its rich variety of sulfur containing compounds. Of the nearly one hundred nutrients in garlic, the most important in terms of health benefits seems to be the sulfur compound allicin-an amino acid. Allicin is not present in fresh garlic. It’s formed instantly when cloves are crushed, chewed, or cut. Allicin seems to be responsible for the super-biological activity of garlic as well as its odor. (more…)

Honey is much more than just a liquid sweetener. One of the oldest medicines known to man, honey has been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, skin ulcers, wounds, urinary diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. Today, we know the validity of these timeless treatments, as research has demonstrated that honey can inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses.

The power of honey comes from the wide range of compounds present in the rich amber liquid. Honey contains at least 181 known substances, and its antioxidant activity stems from the phenolics, peptides, organic acids, and enzymes. Honey also contains salicylic acid, minerals, alpha-tocopherol, and oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides increase the number of “good” bacteria in the colon, reduce levels of toxic metabolites in the intestine, help prevent constipation, and help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

The key point to remember with honey is that its antioxidant ability can vary widely depending on the floral source of the honey and its processing. The phenolic content of the honey depends on the pollen that the bees have used as raw material. There’s a very simple way to determine the health benefits of any honey: its colour. In general, the darker the colour of the honey the higher the level of antioxidants. (more…)

While onion’s health promoting abilities have long been recognized, it’s only recently that their considerable curative abilities have been conclusively demonstrated and thus their elevation to Superfood status.

Onions are a major source of two phytonutrients that play a significant role in health promotion: flavonoids and the mixture of over fifty sulfur-containing compounds. The two flavonoid subgroups found in onions are the anthocyanins that impart a red/purple colour to some varieties, and the flavanols such as quercetin and its derivatives that are responsible for the yellow flesh and brown skins of many varieties of onions. The flavonols are concentrated in the skin of most onions where they contribute to the colour of the vegetable.

We now know that the health promoting compounds in onion, like those in garlic, are separated by cell walls. Slicing an onion ruptures these walls and releases the compounds which then combine to form a powerful new compound: thiopropanal sulfoxide. In addition to mitigating various diseases, this substance also gives cut onions their pungent aroma and their ability to make us cry. (more…)

Many people consider gardening as an occupation that should be undertaken by those who know their way around. You may surprised to find out that having a garden full of beautiful flowers requires only little attention, the right garden bulbs and few easy to follow guidelines so you will not fail. You can do it yourself even if you have no experience.

First you should know how to plant flower bulbs. It requires a hole for each individual bulb. You should dig holes between 3 and 8 inches, taking under consideration the size of the bulb. Place the bulb inside the whole and cover it up.

Next you should know about soil quality. Since you are a beginner, you don’t have great knowledge about this field. In order to be sure that your garden bulbs reach full potential, you should use special soil that can be purchased from local stores for a very cheap price. After all, it is dirt. (more…)

Pomegranates have been around since ancient times and their health benefits have been recognized. Pomegranates can range from yellow-orange to red to deep purple. Rich in potassium, vitamin C, polyphenols and vitamin B6, pomegranates are real phytochemical powerhouses. Pomegranate juice may have two to three times the antioxidant power of equal amounts of green tea or red wine.

In one study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pomegranate juice was a potent fighter in the battle against atherosclerosis. As little as a 1/4 cup of pomegranate juice daily may improve cardiovascular health by reducing oxidation of LDL cholesterol. In addition, animal studies suggest that pomegranates may cause regression of atherosclerotic lesions. It’s unfortunate that many of us avoid pomegranates because it takes some work to get to the seeds. (more…)

Every perennial flower has its own growing requirements and some perennials are much easier to grow than others. When you design your perennial flower garden, select plants suited to the growing conditions you have. If the plant is not suitable to your site, it will not be perennial for you! Here I have selected some lovely and colorful yet easy, low maintenance perennial flowers that are widely adapted and should be successful in a sunny location for most gardeners.

Beginning perennial gardeners find the wide selection of plants bewildering. So, here are eight reliable perennial performers for a sunny site: peony, Siberian iris, daylily, bulb lily, black eyed Susan, purple coneflower, cranesbill and sedum. These are widely adapted, easy to grow, and beautiful.

# Peony (Paeonia) zones 3-8
# Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) zones 3-8
# Daylily (Hemerocallis) zones 3-8
# Bulb lily (Lilium) zones 3-8 (more…)

Beans provide a great alternative to meat, since they’re a low-fat source of protein. One cup of lentils provides 17 grams of protein with only 0.75 grams of fat. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommended in their 1996 dietary guidelines that Americans should “choose beans as an alternative to meat.”

Aside from being a great source of protein, beans are a delicious source of fibre, B vitamins, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and many phytonutrients, and should be eaten on a regular basis to promote optimal health. It’s recommended that you should eat four 1/2 cup servings of beans per week.

Beans are a superb heart healthy food. Eating beans frequently is associated with lower cholesterol levels. Beans, like all other plant-derived sources of protein, don’t contain any saturated fat, and therefore are also cholesterol free. Thus, if you limit your saturated fat intake by reducing the amount of meat you eat and substitute beans and other plant protein sources for meat in your regular diet, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your blood cholesterol levels and improving your overall health. (more…)

When it comes to favorite seasons many people prefer spring. There are many reasons why this happens. For some it is because they hate the cold winter, the blizzards and the snow. Children can’t wait for spring vacations. But for people that occupy their time with a great passion for gardening, spring is the time when they can see what their hard work was for.

Not many people have an inclination for this occupation. Some may think it is too boring, others have the tendency to overlook some key aspects. But for the few people that show a real interest in this occupation, there is nothing like taking a look over what you have achieved with all that hard work. Spring has its way of rewarding the ones that tend to their gardens.

How can you make the most of your garden? With a good choice of flower bulbs, the garden of your dreams is just waiting to come to life. With the right choices of flowers, you will be able to show everyone how great results can be obtained with a little effort. (more…)

With many species suitable cracked and bags others useless because of our suddenly sighted and selfish tailor of living, conservation is one thing that all of us penury to pay interest to. Butterflies, with their diverse scale of vivid ensign invite most of us. The sad part, however, is that many species of butterflies are tight approaching extinction. Their normal homed is whichever being destroyed or is not being favored by gardeners. Butterflies basic detail plants and plants as well as an environment friendly to laying eggs to flourish.

Those interested in providing an environment which will support butterflies, for conservation as well as enjoying since myriads colors the butterflies come in, can make a small contribution by making a butterfly backyard. Like any other plot, butterfly patch requires a little bit of energy, a lot of mind, and an impartial amount of learning about the plants to wish from. (more…)

Butterflies can be attracted to your garden by a variety of methods including planting brightly coloured flowers and bushes, providing food in the form of rotten fruit or by providing other places where they will congregate.

Flowers and Bushes

To attract butterflies to your garden you need to provide attractive food in the form of brightly coloured flowers and feeders and puddles for drinking water. Leave a part of your garden wild by allowing the grass to grow longer and sprinkling wild flower seeds throughout the area. Choose an area that has sunshine for most of the day but is sheltered from the wind. A few flat stone scattered about will provide resting places. At the edges of the wild area plant flowers and shrubs with brightly coloured blooms.

Butterflies prefer single flowers rather than double blooms as they are easier for gathering nectar. Mix up the colours as butterflies have different preferences. Some will be attracted to flowers in shades of red, orange or yellow, some prefer whites or blues or purples. Also plant in clumps to provide an attractive mass of colour. Annuals and perennials to plant include phlox, lavender, zinnias, asters, candytuft, catnip, daisies, goldenrod, verbena and Marigold. Shrubs and bushes include the butterfly bush (buddleia), honeysuckle, mock orange, potentilla, hawthorn, lilac, and hyacinth. (more…)

Hibiscus flowers are so attractive and graceful to look at.

They come in many colors and sizes, and can even reach the height of 15 feet. Some varieties of these wonderful plants are:

Hibiscus Splendens (Malvaceae)
Its corolla is of a beautiful rose color, the lower part of the filaments is pale, the upper rose colored like the corolla. The anthers are dark crimson, and arranged in pyramidal form. Projecting from around which arise five deep red, hairy, round stigmas, of which parts in the expanded flower produce a pleasing effect.
Considered the king of all known Australian plants. It thrives well in a mixture of loam and peat, and cuttings will strike readily in sand or mould under a hand glass in heat.

Hibiscus Vesicarius (African Hibiscus)
This is a plant of very easy culture, and should be planted in the spring. It is a showy plant with large petals, of a straw color, the centre a deep rich brown or purple, finely contrasted with the brilliant gold color of the stamens or anthers. The flowers quickly perish, but, to make up for their frailty, it carries on blooming from June to September. (more…)

Butterflies have enchanted humans for thousands of years. Aside from being beautiful, they often considered to be symbols of hope, beneficial changes, and even spiritual salvation. A great way to bring these lovely creatures closer to your home is with the construction of a garden that includes plants known to attract butterflies. In order to build a successful butterfly garden, you need to consider how to nurture butterflies at every stage of their growth.

From Egg to Chrysalis
Butterflies go through an enormous amount of physical change over the course of their lives. As a result, the types of plants that they need to have on hand varies according to these stages. In many cases, plants with fine leaves are most favored by butterflies looking for a place to lay their eggs. These plants are also commonly used as food resources for the caterpillars once they hatch. (more…)