Plant Gardens 101

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…)

The World Health Organisation defines hypertension as blood pressure higher than 140/90. An ordinary condition in the developed world affecting roughly 20% of adults.

People with high blood pressure generally do not experience any symptoms and are not aware that their blood pressure is high. Hypertension can lead to worrying health troubles such as heart failure and strokes.
It is said that blood pressure can be lowered by drinking an extract of Hibiscus flower each day, in the form of tea. Hibiscus tea consists of high levels of antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which are excellent for our bodies and hearts. These antioxidants help our bodies resist the harmful molecules known as free radicals, which can cause cell damage, leaving the body in a sick condition. By taming free radicals, antioxidants help look after the health of the body.

Hibiscus tea can successfully contribute to the weight loss process without making you tired, dizzy or ill. Most people are not familiar with the wonderful weight loss qualities of Hibiscus tea.

The effects of this flower on weight are better if consumed in a natural form rather than processed forms like powders or capsules. (more…)

Home gardening can be fun, no matter what kind of garden it is. For instance, you can decorate the perimeter of your house with beautiful tulips, lilies, or other flowers. In addition you can sustain your household with a healthy supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gardening is quite a task, no matter what kind of garden it is. Those who have never planted a garden may need some help with the steps for creating a garden that will produce. In order to have a blooming garden you need to keep in mind the following tips:

o Make sure you plant your seeds or flowers in the right types of soil. Some plants grow better in loose and sandier soil, while others grow better in rich, dark, and moist soil. You can even find plants that grow better in rocky soil, or soil that contains large amounts of clay or metallic minerals. Therefore, when you choose flowers or vegetables for your garden you need to make sure that the soil you want to plant them in is appropriate for those plants. If the soil is not the right kind of soil for the plants you have in mind to grow, then you may need to cultivate the soil. (more…)

A is for Aloe, which is one of the most commonly known succulent genus, and which includes the burn healing Aloe vera.

B is for Black Rose, common name for Aeonium arboreum, whose clusters of dark leaves do have a rose like shape.

C is for Cactus, the prickly king of the succulent plants.

D is for Dracaena draco, also known as the Dragon Tree, which is very slow growing but also long lived.

E is for Euphorbia, a large genus of plants many of whom are succulents, and includes Euphorbia milii or the Crown of Thorns.

F is for Fire Sticks, or Euphorbia tirucalli, which many thin stems topped with red, making them look like sticks glowing with fire. (more…)

Birds, birds, birds. They come in all shapes and sizes. They range in type from carnivores to herbivores. Birds have been the stars of their own movies. Birds have taught children the importance of personality over looks. Some are even the leaders of nations. Is it any wonder that bird watching is one of the world’s most practiced hobbies.

People from all walks of life enjoy bird watching. Anyone can do it. All it requires is patience, a pair of binoculars and most importantly, a bird feeder. And there are many types. Depending what birds you want to attract will determine what kind of feeder to get.

Hummingbird feeders are the most popular and come in two styles; inverted and basin style. The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a sugar solution is placed. It has an opening just big enough for the hummingbird to put its long beak. But the solution is really just an energy boost for the hummingbird. A hummingbird’s main diet is gnats and other small bugs. Here’s a hint when choosing a hummingbird feeder. Choose one that can be taken apart easily. Your feeder needs to be cleaned every three-to-four days due to the unfortunate clotting habit of the sugar and water solution. (more…)

Climbing plants are of many varieties. Good examples of climbing plants are grapevines and tomatoes. They all have weak stems in common and need support in order to grow tall and occupy less space in the home garden. Growing them next to a wall or a tree is or way of taking care of them as they climb. They do this to get sunlight. For climbing, they have developed features like tendrils and twisting leaves. They climb on fences, walls, trees etc. Unless they have man-made support like fences or natural support like trees, climbing plants will grow on the ground and will lack sunlight which is an essential aspect of growth. They will become weak and produce less fruit. They also tend to look messy in the garden.

Unless you do not like the idea, you may let these plants climb a wall or a fence that has ugly features in order to hide them. You may also plant these plants on your walls if you do not have space in your home or neighborhood. The blooms are attractive and beautify the home. The climbing plants give a natural look to a house.

The choice of a climbing plant is dependent on the desired effect. You will have to consider the growth characteristic of a plant. Look out for the species that thrive in your area before you make a decision on which to plant. Do not plant them in pots as this will hinder their growth. (more…)

Things were going great in the early stages. I had just recently started growing vegetables in my back yard and things were moving along very well. Certain vegetables were growing somewhat slowly, and I didn’t expect things to be so smooth forever, but I had faith things would turn out well no matter what obstacles I would have to face. It wasn’t long before I faced one of the first setbacks in cultivating a vegetable garden and discovered that I would have to put in garden fencing.

I had grown vegetables in the past but it was a communal garden and it was ages ago so when the rabbits started to ruin my garden, I was totally caught off guard. Luckily, because of my experience, I not only knew the answer was garden fencing but I also knew exactly what kind of garden fencing was required. (more…)

With the massive progress that many cities and towns are experiencing we see the declining of Natural Meadows. With the absence of real meadows, the territory for butterflies, birds and other animals are dwindling too. Luckily butterflies are easily enticed backs if you deposit a backyard where the caterpillar (chrysalis point) has plants to eat and the butterfly has plants to sip nectar. Butterfly gardens are unfussy to lodge and will give you and your family a venture to see butterflies in their ordinary locale.

The basics are an open universes with tons of sunshine and an armor from roll. Pick a location with loads of sunlight with a few rocks or shingle that can boil up on which the butterflies can relax in the morning sun. Try to place your patch near hedges or bushes that will help shelter them from the eager winds. If it is too stormy, the butterflies won’t vacation around for long. The barricade or shrub could become food for the caterpillar. You can find out what the caterpillar likes best from your Nursery Garden Center. Butterflies like mud puddles where they can draft the water and bathe up minerals. An insignia of damp soil will make them favorable. Most important of all is that the patch be pesticide open. Many people like to use pesticides to game away discarded mice, unfortunately it will track away your butterflies too. Put your butterfly backyard in a surround where there will be no chemical pesticides worn. Better still, ask your Garden Center about organic gardening. (more…)

Flowers By Season Copyright (c) 2007 Kelly Staller is site manager at StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then Visit our site at StarReviews.com.
Whether you’re planning a September wedding, want to send flowers to your aunt in Hawaii or simply want to plant some flowers in your garden that won’t die, it’s important to know which flowers belong in which season. Some flowers are popular year-round, such as roses, and don’t have to be reserved for Valentine’s Day. Here’s a quick-reference-guide to flowers by season:

Great Summer Flowers:

• Sunflowers
• Lilies (more…)

Some gardeners hate it – other gardeners, like me, cannot get enough of it. What am I talking about? Moss. Moss is a simple little plant that does not have conventional roots, stems, or leaves. Moss is any species of the class ‘Bryopsida’ and is part of the division ‘Bryophyta’. ‘Bryophyta’ means the first green land plants to develop during the evolutionary process. Moss is thought to have evolved from very primitive vascular plants. Dinosaurs may have munched their way through tons of it and it has been used by gardeners in ancient cities to supply the backdrop to many beautiful gardens, perhaps even in the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’.

It is interesting that moss has not given rise to any other kind of plant.

Because moss does not have the traditional vascular structures of true leaves, stems, and roots, its growth is limited to moist locations. Moss is very hardy and grows almost anywhere, all over the world except under the sea and in the desert sands. Moss normally grows vertically and of little use to humans’ apart from the use in gardening. (more…)