What's Blooming
Sunflower
Sunflower or Heleanthus are native to the Americas and were first cultivated in Mexico. They are named for their propensity to turn its head toward the sun and are produced for their big showy flowers, tasty seeds and oil that are used in soap, paint and cosmetics. Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity.
Lisianthus
Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian are from the wilds of much of the Americas. Their beautiful blooms are about 2in in diameter and they grow about 2ft tall. The new wine and copper colored lisianthus are especially versatile. Lisianthus represent gratitude, appreciation and charisma.
Dahlia
Dahlia are native to Central America and are the national flower of Mexico. The tubers were consumed as a food crop by the Aztecs. They range in size from two to 12 inches in diameter. Once cut and placed in a vase, dahlias thrive in plenty of water and cooler temperatures. Dahlias symbolize elegance, inner strength, creativity, change, dignity, and sacred values.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons are native to the rocky areas of the United States, North Africa and Europe. The face of the floret resembles a dragon opening and closing its mouth when laterally squeezed. The leaves and flowers have been used as anti-inflammatory poultices. Snapdragons signify grace and strength.
Eucalyptus
Native to Australia, eucalyptus is known for its leaves, seeds and striking flowers. Every year they grow a new layer of bark and the outer layer dies and peels off. Sacred to Aboriginals, it represents the division of the underworld between earth and heaven. They consume the sapp called Manna, for medicine, for bowls, canoes, spears, shields, art, music, etc. Tags: Sun Shower, May Flowers, Flower Therapy
Bupleurum
Bupleurum is native to Central Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. With its bright-green foliage and small clusters of yellow blooms topping its multi-branched stems, Bupleurum is a favorite among floral artisans as a filler flower. It adds wonderful texture to and refreshing color to spring and summer arrangements.
Chocolate Lace
Daucus carota is native to Europe and southwest Asia and is named after both Queen Anne of Britain and her great grandmother Anne of Denmark. Queen Anne's Lace are edible when young and tender but be careful because they resemble poison Hemlock and mistaking the two could prove fatal. Those fluent in the language of flowers associate Queen Ann's lace with sanctuary. TAGS: May Flowers
Dahlia pink
Dahlia are native to Central America and are the national flower of Mexico. The tubers were consumed as a food crop by the Aztecs. They range in size from two to 12 inches in diameter. Once cut and placed in a vase, dahlias thrive in plenty of water and cooler temperatures. Dahlias symbolize elegance, inner strength, creativity, change, dignity and sacred values. Tags: Flower Therapy, Bloomtastic, Big Bloom Energy
Delphinium
Delphinium are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The genus name Delphinium derives from the Ancient Greek word delphínion which means "dolphin", the plant got its name because of its dolphin-shaped flowers. In June and July, the plant is topped with a raceme of many flowers, varying in color from purple and blue, to red, yellow, or white.
Dianthus
Dianthus or Carnation is native to Europe and Asia. They have a spicy, clove-like scent. In many cultures, Dianthus is the official flower of Mother's Day. The name dianthus comes from the Greek "dios" (god) and "anthos" (flower) and is considered by many to be the flower of the gods. Dianthus signifies admiration, capriciousness, affection, passion, and gratitude.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea are native to Korea, China, Japan, and the Americas and the word is derived from Greek meaning water vessel. In most species the flowers are white, but in some species can be blue, red, pink, and purple. In Japan, hydrangea leaves are made into Ama-cha tea and used in a Buddha bathing ceremony. Hydrangea signifies unity.
Chocolate Cosmos
Cosmos atrosanguineus, the chocolate cosmos, is a species of Cosmos, native to Mexico. Velvety textured, chocolate-scented, deep maroon flowers with darker brown center on divided dark green leaves. Sorry to disappoint all of you chocolate lovers out there, this flower is named Chocolate Cosmos for its chocolate-like fragrance but it is not edible! The chocolate cosmos is meant to communicate your feelings of intense love. This flower is said to symbolize passion, desire, and sensuality.
Sweet William
Sweet William is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It has become a popular ornamental garden plant. It is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant. Each flower is 2–3 cm diameter with five petals displaying serrated edges. Wild plants produce red flowers with a white base, but colors in cultivars range from white, pink, red, and purple to variegated patterns. Sweet William symbolizes admiration, passion, love, and gratitude
Godetia
Godetia is native to western North America. It can be found between California and British Columbia. It is an attractive and very showy annual flower that blooms, as the name suggests, in late spring. Its blooms are similar to those of an azalea, and they usually come in shades of pink and white. Godetia symbolizes charm and enthusiasm.
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea is in the family Fabaceae (legumes) and they are native to Sicily, southern Italy, and the Aegean Islands. Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford cross-bred and developed the sweet pea, turning it from a rather insignificant if sweetly scented flower into a floral sensation of the late Victorian era. They are grown for private enjoyment, exhibition, and for the floristry trade. Sweet peas have a range of beautiful colors (usually in pastel shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, including bi-colors) and also possess a subtle and unique fragrance.
Foxglove
Foxglove or Digitalis, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa is an example of how a plant formerly used by folklorists was then adopted by 'modern medicine' in the treatment of certain heart conditions. Never ingest Foxglove. The significance of Foxglove is both negative in terms of its toxicity and really good in terms of its medicinal benefits. Legend has it that picking digitalis has been known to really piss off fairies.
Statice
Statice or Limonium is native to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America. They grow up to 7ft tall and have a long shelf life. Statice is used in dried flower arrangements because they retain color well and are hardy. Statice symbolizes remembrance.
Snow on the Mountain
Grown as much for its foliage as for its flowers, snow-on-the-mountain’s small but showy leaves may be light green, variegated, or entirely white. They clasp erect, many-branched stems which grow 1-3 ft. tall. Tiny flowers, each with whitish, petal-like bracts, are borne in clusters atop the stems.
Parvifolia
Parvifolia has small, delicate, and fragrant foliage that can be oval or elongated. It gives alluring texture and fragrance to arrangements and can be used for wedding work, garlands, wreaths, and bouquets. Eucalyptus foliage can also be preserved and painted for use in dried arrangements. Parvifolia is derived from the Latin words Parvus meaning "small" and folium meaning "leaf", referring to the small leaves of this species.
Matsumoto Aster
Part of the Chinese aster series, the Matsumoto Aster is native to Eastern Asia and is a very admired and sought-after flower. They are categorized under the genus Callistephus, which comes from the Greek word that means “beautiful crown”. This is most likely because of their crown-like appearance. The Matsumoto aster shows off its always yellow inner florets by encircling them with white, pink. The aster flower carries a variety of meanings, but in general, the flower mainly represents love, wisdom, and faith.
Yarrow
Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is named for the mythological Greek god Achilles, who is said to have used some of this plant’s more than 100 species for medicinal purposes. Today, yarrow’s blooms populate garden walks and floral designs alike, while herbalists continue to use the plant for its fever-reducing, skin-cleansing, and wound-healing properties. Yarrow's symbolic meaning is traditionally associated with healing which originates from Ancient Greek mythology.
Calendula
Calendula are native to southwestern Asia, the name Calendula is a modern Latin diminutive of calendae, meaning "little calendar", "little clock". In historic times calendula was more often used for magical purposes than medicinal ones. Calendula flowers are sacred flowers in India and have been used to decorate the statues of Hindu deities since early times. Calendula has been a symbol of sunshine and fire for many centuries.
Bunny Tail Grass
Bunny Tail Grass is a genus of Old World plants in the grass family, native to the Mediterranean Basin and nearby regions, from the Azores and the Canary Islands to Crimea and Saudi Arabia. It has spiky inflorescences reminiscent of the furry cotton tails of rabbits.
Matricaria
Matricaria chamomilla is one of several different species in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that have the common name chamomile. Also known as German chamomile or wild chamomile, it is one of two species commonly used for making the tisane (herbal infusion) called chamomile tea. Matricaria is an annual native to southern and eastern Europe and western Asia that has been widely introduced in temperate areas elsewhere where it thrives in disturbed areas, meadows, and fields. Matricaria represents humility.
Agapanthus
Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennials that mostly bloom in summer. The leaves are basal, curved, and linear, growing up to 24 inches long. They are rather leathery and arranged in two opposite rows. The plant has a mostly underground stem called a rhizome (like a ginger 'root') that is used as a storage organ. The roots, which grow out of the rhizome, are white, thick, and fleshy. Agapanthus symbolizes love.
Pin Cushion
The Pin Cushion flower is part of the Scabiosa genus of flowering plants. Its common name is derived from the flower’s cushion-like center and pin-looking stamens, which resemble that of a pincushion. This attractive summer bloomer can be found in a variety of colors with blue, purple, and white being the most notable. Flowers may reach up to a foot or two in height above the lush gray to blue-green foliage. The Pin Cushion stands for strength and enthusiasm.
Chocolate Sunflower
Sunflower or Heleanthus are native to the Americas and were first cultivated in Mexico. They are named for their propensity to turn its head toward the sun and are produced for their big showy flowers, tasty seeds and oil that are used in soap, paint and cosmetics. Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity.
Zebra grass
Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus') is an ornamental grass native to Japan. There are few showier plants for the garden than Zebra Grass. These ornamental plants have long arching leaves with appealing stripes across the width, like dappled foliage in the sun. Zebra Grass is noted for its showy, yellow, horizontal bands that gleam in the sunlight. Silvery-white plumes rise above the foliage in late summer.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a North American flower most common in the Ozarks found in woodlands, prairies and barrens. Native Americans use Echinacea to treat wounds, burns, insect bites, toothaches, throat infections, pain, coughs, stomach cramps and snake bites. Echinacea is also used in pharmaceuticals such as chemotherapy medications. Echinacea signifies health and strength.
Marigold
Marigolds or Tagetes are from Mexico and are used in many Mexican festivities including The Day of the Dead. When planted, marigolds deter pests from invading neighboring plants such as tomatoes. Marigolds represent a remembrance and celebration of the dead, sacred offerings to the gods, the beauty and warmth of the rising sun and courage.