Florist Supplies Guide

Your wedding flowers usually tie to your wedding theme. When most of us envision wedding flowers we think of more of the traditional choices but there are literally thousands of flower choices that work very well for wedding bouquets, ceremonies, and receptions.

Here are just a few flower variations to get you thinking. We’ve divided them by color to help make it easier to fit them to your theme.

YELLOWS/ORANGES

Dahlia - a late summer and fall bloom known for its wide variety of colors. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.

Asclepia Beatix - very tiny flowers that throw a lot of punch! A 1″ hybrid flower that works well in low arrangements.

Tulip - there are several tulip variants and plenty of color variety. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.

Ranuculus - a beautiful spring flower but prone to drooping in hot weather. It looks terrific mixed with other flowers.

Chinese Lantern - is known to have 10-15 flowers on a stock so it is excellent for a focal point in centerpieces.

Sandersonia - these little bell shaped flowers work great in boutonnieres, corsages, and in flower girls baskets.

Poppy - Big, beautiful, and very affordable when purchased in its in season, spring. They are definitely an eye catcher!

Black Eyed Susans - The perfect country flower for a country wedding,

Sunflower - blooms from late summer to fall and are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Very popular planted in pots.

Snapdragon - a very graceful and elegant flower that works well with simple bouquets and centerpieces. Reasonably priced, blooming in late summer.

WHITES

Flannel Flower - produces spiky star shaped blossoms that are long lasting. Perfect for both bouquets and arrangements.

Chamomile - is a common wild flower that blooms late summer. Very refreshing and great for wreaths, centerpieces, and bouquets.

Stephanotis - this year round flower is affordable and perfect for bouquets and boutonnieres.

Narcissus - blooms late winter early spring. Its fragrant blooms are great for centerpieces.

Cosmos - blooms in spring and summer. Not so impressive on its own but very glamorous when mixed with other flowers.

Snowberry - blooms late fall through December. Produces small pale fruit that works well in winter bouquets.

Dogwood - blooms in spring producing large flowers. Very nice in both bouquets and centerpieces.

Iris - many colors and varieties are available. There are iris choices for all four seasons. Very affordable with large blooms making it perfect for large arrangements.

Miniature Calla Lily - works very well in bouquets and centerpieces. There is a warning attached to this flower - it is poisonous to dogs.

BLUES/PURPLES

Veronica - these tiny spiked flowers add grace and elegance to bouquets and centerpieces. They mix well with round flowers.

Clematis - this vine blooms during summer months and is available in many colors and species varieties. It weaves nicely into wreaths,

Celosia - blooms spring through fall producing velvety flowers. Perfect way to add texture to bouquets and centerpieces.

Hyacinth - this fragrant flower works well on its own or in arrangements.

Anemone - blooms September through March producing a variety of bright colors. Perfect for adding some color and cheer to this drabber season.

Frittilaria - these checkered flowers are perfect for small arrangements and bouquets.

Scabiosa - blooms spring through summer producing ruffled flowers. It makes a wonderful addition to bouquets and centerpieces.

Gomphrena - has a thistle type bloom and is very hardy. It won’t wilt so is perfect for bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements. Dries nicely too.

Cornflower - adds a nice fresh touch to bouquets and centerpieces.

Allium - these tiny petal flowers will add glamour. They smell like onions so they work best around food areas.

GREENS

Sand Catchfly - looks like miniature hot air balloons. It adds flare and depth to bouquets and centerpieces.

Spider Chrysanthemum - blooms year round so very affordable. Its spidery petal flowers add charm and excitement to bouquets and arrangements.

Benzelia Lanuginosa - Imported from New Zealand so can be a bit pricey. A wonderful exotic addition to all arrangements.

Nigella Pod - available late summer to early fall adding a sculptured accent to centerpieces.

Seeded Eucalyptus - very versatile adding texture to a centerpiece. It can easily be sprayed with metallic spray paint and it dries nicely.

Lady’s Slipper - very expensive but ever so exotic. Perfect for a corsage or bouquet. To pricey for table arrangements.

Solomon’s Seal - the bell shaped flowers work well in casual bouquet and centerpieces. It works well with lilies.

Fern - work well for fillers on bouquets and centerpieces. It presses nicely so also can be used for accenting menus or cards.

PINKS/REDS

Rose Hip - the post blossom fruit of the rose makes great filler for bouquets as well as all arrangements.

Vallota - bloom summer through fall producing 2″ flowers shaped like a lily. Their smaller size makes them fit much better into arrangements.

Fringed Gerbera Daisy - these miniature flowers are whimsical and work well in bouquets. They also have a nice touch when floated in a bowl or brandy glass.

Tree Peony - blooms late fall to early winter in New Zealand. Because they are imported they are pricey. However, they certainly stand out and add color to a cooler season wedding.

Astrantia - this is an eye catching bloom that mixes well but stands out.

Cymbidium Orchid - perfect for corsages but also works well in large displays. Nicely scented it works well on table tops or floated in a bowl or glass. Floated in a martini glass adds a real nice touch!

Carousel Illusion Rose - this very large hybrid flower works well in bouquets and arrangements.

Antique Rose - this beautiful rose is very hard to come by and thus extremely pricey. However if you are looking for something romantic and rare this flower is a must have. Add to your bouquet for your own personal joy!

Curcuma - a tropical flower that blooms mid summer. Adds character to a bouquet or arrangement.

Flower choices are endless. I’ve only covered just a handful of what’s available. If your wedding is spring through fall learn what flowers are native to your area.

You may be pleasantly surprised at what is available and of course the pricing will be much better on local flowers. If you’re looking for those more exotic flowers then set a budget and start checking early.

This will give you an idea of what is available in your budget range. Remember exotic and tropical flower prices can change dramatically in one season depending on availability.

You may be able to get a florist to lock into pricing or at least set a guarantee of the maximum price for your future wedding date. Often local florists grow some of the tropicals in their greenhouses to that may also help keep the pricing a little more affordable.

So choose your wedding theme, choose your colors, and then you can start to decide what flowers are right for your wedding. Best Wishes!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. So stop by and visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/
We’ll help you make your fashion statement! Remember looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Scents from the rose garden filling the air as you walk by… it’s a lovely summer scent that you can enjoy every year. Many gardeners know that the rose is referred to as the queen of all flowers, and you can see the history in the rose by traveling back in time to Europe. The rose is a plant whose scent predominates the historical gardens all over the world. Historical gardens in Europe include the use of Roses, Peonies, Honeysuckle, and a few other strongly scented plants. The rose creates the feeling of royalty, color, and elegance all in the same instant

The rose bush is a perennial that will fill your garden space without much added work.

In planning a rose garden, you might have the option to plant roses that are bare root. What are bare root roses? Bare root roses are plants that you will dig up from your family or friend’s house and bring back to your own garden. The plant that you dig up without bringing the soil that the plant lived in to your garden is a bare root plant. Here, we are going to discuss more about bare root roses, and how to plant them for your rose garden success.

Bringing the bare root plant back from the store, your friends or from your supplier, you should soak your bare root plants in a bucket of water overnight before planting. In planning your rose garden, you can dig your hole for your new plant, loosing the soil where you will place your new rose bush. Using the soil that you loosen in the hole, pile or mound it in the middle of the hole to support the plant during and after planting.

Placing your bare root plant in the hole, center it on the mound of dirt and back fill around the plant. Do not pack in the soil, but loosely back fill the soil around the plant to an inch above where planted in the soil before. You can tell how far the plant was in the soil earlier by the green on the stalk of the plant. Water the rose bush once again with ample amounts of water.

After watering your rose bush well, cover the soil with mulch to hold moisture. The mulch around the rose should not actually touch the thick stalk of the plant, but instead be a half-inch to an inch from the stalk. Watering your rose bush at least once a week, for the first month after planting, will bring the first breath of success in your new rose garden.

Rose Garden Tips…

The rose garden ultimately is a get away for you and your thoughts any time of the day. You can plan and create a rose garden of your own that will take away the stress of your day with its beauty. The rose garden that you love and admire so much can be yours if you follow a few easy steps in planning and in raising your roses.

If you have never raised roses before, we have a few great tips and ideas lined up for your reference. One important thing to remember is that roses do love the sunshine. In the garden that is full sun areas only, you will have great success in growing roses. If you have a partially shaded area where you want to grow new rose bushes, you may want to consider moving your plants to where your roses will receive at least six hours of sun a day or more.

When first planting or transplanting a rose bush, water will be an important factor. You will need to water your roses at least once a week as your rose establishes itself. The soil that you plant your rose in does need to drain well, this is important. The rose bush will not thrive in the area moist all of the time. Refraining from planting your rose in an area that fills with puddles will aid in your successful rose gardening.

As your roses grow and change every year, you will need to pick off the dead head flowers. Picking off the flowers that are dead will bring new life to your bush. If you find black spots on the leaves of your rose bush, this will keep your plant from suffering and from any disease from spreading over the entire plant. Treating your plants at the first sign of Japanese beetles is going to save their luscious green leaves from these tiny creatures.

In the spring of the year, you will need to prune your rose bush. The blackened portions of your rose bush need pruned away to promote additional new growth over the entire plant. While pruning your plant in the spring season, pull weed starts so that your plant is not in competition for water or soil nutrients over the growing seasons.

As you plan your rose garden and begin placement, planting roses of the same color next to each other will enhance the over all look of the rose garden. Using too many flowers in one area though, can make the entire rose garden look more jumbled than a wave of color.

One last thing for you to think about when creating and planning a rose garden is to remember to test your soil. Soil testers are widely available and relatively inexpensive. When testing your soil, your pH level is going to be most important for success with roses. A pH level of 5.5 to 6.6 is the ultimate situation for raising a rose garden of your own.

Gordon Goh is author of the free, informative website Simply Flower Garden offering quality useful tips for flower garden lovers.

The Calendula flower is a very bright orange flower. From the family of the Marigold plant and can grow in pots, window boxes or outside in the garden. Calendulas love the sun and are very easy to care for. Plant preferably around April, you can harvest the flowers from early summer to late fall depending of your location. Originally grown in Egypt on the border of the Nile, it was already used before Cleopatra’s time for its healing properties. Healers from the Meditterranee and the Middle East utilize the whole flower for different medicines. (Skin, digestive system, wounds, vascular problems just to name a few.)

The easiest way to take advantage of all the properties of this wonderful plant is to harvest the whole flower and separate the petals before placing them in a flat basket. Actually you might use any natural container as long as the petals can breathe. Cover with a clean cloth and let dry for a few days in a warm dark place. As any medicine herbs they need to dry in the dark to keep their healing properties. Store in a glass dark jar preferably or away from the light in a cool place. Then just use the petals, as you need them.

1 Sun damaged Skin

Infuse the Calendula petals with carrier oil at very low heat for about 8 hours in double boiler so you do not burn the oil. Strain the petals in cheesecloth and keep aside. Add the infused carrier oil with equal amount of Carrot seed oil and Apricot Kernel oil. Most recommended carrier oils are: jojoba oil, grape seed oil, wheat germ oil, and hemp oil.

2 Soothing and Relaxing Bath

Take the cheese clothes with the Calendula petals from the above recipe and put them in your warm bath. It will soothe and heal your skin. It is particularly efficient for dry and itchy skin. For a more relaxing moment, add a few Lavender essential oil drops and light a scented candle. The bright orange color of the flower will also bring some sun to your soul during the long winter blues.

3 Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Use the carrier oil infused with the Calendula petals as a daily moisturizer for your body. Keep in a cold place or even in the fridge.
Another way to create a nice moisturizer for the body is to use olive oil. Add the petals to an organic cold pressed olive oil, in a dark glass jar and let it sit for 12 to 15 days. You will know it is ready because of the dark orange color. Use a cheesecloth to drain the oil before using it. With olive oil it is better to add a little bit of Vitamin E before storing to naturally preserve the moisturizer. Be aware that if you keep it in the fridge, the olive oil will solidify.

You actually can use the same process with any kind of oil you would like: Avocado oil, coconut oil, almond oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil and the oils listed above are the most common carrier oil.
Again you can keep the cheese clothe with the Calendula petals and use it in your bath.

If you do not have use for it right away, place the cheese clothe in a close container in the fridge. It will keep for at least 2 to 3 weeks.

4 Healing Wounds

The medicinal properties of Calendula are very complex and well research. I just want to pass on a few of Grandma recipes. The following are an alternative to commercial antiseptics and ointments. I always have a little jar of Calendula oil at my house in my first aid kit. I have found that applying a little bit of Calendula Oil on scratches, cold sores, light cuts, bruises and burns have worked very well for me, my dog and the kids.

5 Calendula Tincture

1 cup of petals mixed with vodka and distilled water: 2 part vodka, 1 part water until the petals are covered. Seal it off with saran wrap. Let it sit in a warm dark place for 6 to 8 weeks. Strain the petals and put the tincture in a dark glass jar.
Take 3 or 4 drops in a 1 oz glass of water for digestive problems and gastro intestinal upsets.

6 Tea
Infuse the dry leaves with boiling water to make a wonderful natural tea. Very good for sluggish liver and upset stomach.You can mix with nettle leaves or fresh mint leaves for a different taste and more healing properties.

7 In Cooking a Great Alternative to Saffron

Rich in vitamin C, it is a great add on to salads, soups, and pasta or rice dishes. Nice colorful finishing touch for your dish, the petals are pleasing to the eye and the palate as well as healing for the digestive system. When you cook your rice or your sauces with a few petals, they will naturally turn to yellow or orange.

It is easy to plant Calendula seeds. They prefer a light well drained soil with full exposure to the sun. If you were going to use the flowers and the petals for consumption, I would recommend buying organic seeds. This plant reseeds easily so all you have to do is let a few flowers go to seeds for your next year harvest. It is important to collect your Calendula flowers when the flower is wide open and healthy. This is when all of the healing properties are their peak. Plant around April and you can harvest until late in the fall. If you do not have a garden, planting the seeds in window boxes will work very well to.

Catherine Potin invites you to http://www.best-of-natural-skin-care.com an information site about natural and organic skin care. How to choose and purchase natural and organic skin care and personal products.
Natural and organic anti aging products and other resources to take care of your skin, body and hair naturally.

For some strange reasons, I like designing flower tattoos more than others. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. It’s like having a piece of art with you all the time. I find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful.

The image of a tattoo can be so captivating that it stirs up all our senses. You can have a Rose tattoo with a barbed wire around it and still look very good. It’s Ying and Yang, loving and sweet but authoritative and intimidating. But if you are intending to ink a flower tattoo on your body, it’s best to find out the meaning of the flower and what you want it to represent. You can then combine different images to give contrasting impressions of your tattoos.

I have compiled a list of meaning of flowers as a guide before you tattoo them on your body. I cannot vouch how official these meanings are, but my research has shown them to be fairly consistent. flower tattoos are permanent, so look around before deciding on one.

BABY’S BREATH: Innocence.

BALSAM: Ardent love.
BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck.
BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm.
CACTUS: Endurance.
CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty.

CAMELLIA: Gratitude.
CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you.
CAMELLIA, RED: You’re a flame in my heart.

CAMELLIA, WHITE: You’re adorable.
CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman
CARNATION, PINK: A woman’s love, I’ll never forget you, mother’s love.
CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination.
CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck.
CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love.
DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you’re the only one, chivalry.
DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness.
DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I’ll never tell, purity.
DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love’s oracle.
DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother.
EREMURUS: Endurance.
EUPHORBIA: Persistence.
FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories.

FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness.
GARDENIA: You’re lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck.
GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break.
GLOXINA: Love at first sight.
HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty.
HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true.
HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment.

HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness.
HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love.
HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure.
HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness, dedicated to Apollo.
HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy.
HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play.
IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, my compliments.
IRIS, WHITE: Purity.
JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability , I attach myself to you, sensuality, attachment.
JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality.
JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance.
JONQUIL: Sympathy , love me, affection returned, desire.
LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty.
LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love.
LAVENDER: Devotion.
LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination.
LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence.
LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity.
LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it’s heavenly to be with you. LILY,
MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility.
MIMOSA: Sensitivity.
MINT: Virtue.
MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India.
MORNING GLORY: Loves you.

MOSS: Maternal love, charity.
NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are
NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle.
OAK LEAVES: Bravery.
OLIVE BRANCH: Peace.
ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility.
ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, mature charm, beauty, long life.
PALM LEAVES: Victory, success.

PEPPERMINT: Cordiality.
PERIWINKLE: Friendship.
POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination.

POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation.
POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success.

PRIMROSE: I can’t live without you.
PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love.
QUEEN ANNE’S LACE: Haven.
RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm.

ROSE: Love, passion, perfection. The rose was named for the Latin word rosa which means red. It has been a symbol of love since ancient times.

ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within.
ROSE, CORAL: Desire.
ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning.
ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment.
ROSE, LEAF: You may hope.
ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love.
ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm.
ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, apprecation, admiration, sympathy, modesty.

ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy.
ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness.
ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility.
ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity.
ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-selfconscious beauty.
ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you, I still love you, new love.
ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love.
ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight.
ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love.
ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue.
ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows “I care”, joy, gladness.
ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude.
ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England.

ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations.

ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts.
ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth.
SAGE: Virtue.
SALAL: Zest.
SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love.
SMILAX: Loveliness.
SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption.
SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment.
SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me.
STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity.
STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success.
STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel.
STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you’ll always be beautiful to me.
SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness.

SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse.
THYME: Activity.
TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure.
TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland.
TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame.
TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes.
TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there’s sunshine in your smile.

VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty.
VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I’ll always be true.

VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love.
VIOLET, WHITE: Let’s take a chance, youthful innocence.
VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country.
WATER LILY: Purity of heart.
WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning.
WHEAT: Friendliness.
YARROW: Healing, sorrow.
ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend.

ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy.
ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness.
ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.

You can download all my free flower tattoos designs at http://www.miluping.com/flower_tattoos

The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin with a discussion of the Bride’s bouquet. You will have a choice of several basic styles. These are cascade, crescent, contemporary, nosegay, hand tied bouquet and arm or presentation style. You can better prepare for your first meeting with your florist if you bring the following;

A list of those in your wedding party that will need flowers.

A list of what flowers you will want at the ceremony.

A list of what flowers will be needed at the reception, including table count, size and shape.

Color/fabric swatches and pictures of your dress and bridesmaids dresses, if you have them.

Feel free to also bring pictures of flowers that you like.

Your florist will also have pictures of flowers, bouquets and arrangements to help determine exactly what will create the wedding of your dreams. If your wedding has a “theme”, let your florist know before the consultation, as they can prepare suggestions to fit the style of your wedding. After style, the next thing to consider is if there are any specific flowers you want.

Keep in mind that some flowers are not in season year round. The flowers that will give the best presentation are those in their season prime. Make sure you let your florist know if your ceremony and/or reception will be held outdoors. Certain flowers do not hold up in hot/humid conditions. Consider color, shape, and fragrance when selecting your bouquet flowers. A note of advice on color choice, avoid all white flowers, they do not photograph well.

It is important that you are upfront with your florist about your budget. Not just for your bouquet but for all of your flowers. Be realistic. You may want a $200 bridal bouquet, but if you only have $400 for a flower budget, you will not have enough left for 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 2 corsages, 3 boutonnieres and 15 centerpieces for your reception. Choose similar flowers to be used throughout your wedding. Using 20 different kinds of flowers will quickly increase the cost. Your florist can balance your needs with your budget. They can offer alternatives. Exotic flowers such as Orchids are very pretty, but they are more expensive. Consider more affordable flowers if you are on a budget. Don’t plan your wedding near big flower holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. If you do, expect to pay more for your flowers. Not because the florist’s want to charge you more, but due to the fact that the wholesalers charge more during these busy holidays based on growing and demand.

Once you have chosen your Bouquet you have selected the “center” of your wedding flowers. The other pieces can be used to incorporate your bouquet flowers throughout your entire wedding. The following is an example list of the flowers you may need for your “Special Day”…

Bride’s Bouquet
Toss Bouquet for Bride to Throw
Maid of Honor Bouquet
Bridesmaids Bouquets
Grooms Boutonniere
Boutonnieres for Best Man and other male attendants in the wedding
Boutonnieres for Father of Bride and Groom
Corsages for Mothers/Grandmothers and/or Guests of Honor
Boutonniere for Ring Bearer
Flower Basket (with petals?) or small bouquet for flower girl*
Ceremony Arrangements (can serve double duty at your reception perhaps at your buffet)
Vase at Guest Book Table
Centerpieces for Reception Tables (make sure you get an accurate count)
Centerpiece for Head Table (usually larger than other centerpieces)
Flowers or Petals for Cake Table (Flowers for Cake if necessary)

*If you are considering petals for the aisle at your ceremony, make sure your accomodations allow them. Also remember that roses with color petals will stain the carpet if stepped on. White petals are recommended for carpeted areas.

A very important detail is to make sure your florist knows exactly when and where your flowers will need to be delivered. They will also need to know ahead of time if you will need them to set up the flowers. If you have someone else handling set up, make sure your florist knows who they are and how to reach them. You will probably want your flowers to arrive at least an hour before you need them. Make sure you have somewhere safe and cool to keep them until you use them. Always leave your florist a phone number of someone you trust (preferrably with a cel phone) that can handle any last minute decisions regarding your flowers.

Finally, when it comes to your wedding flowers, don’t skimp! I have heard many sad stories about bride’s trying “do-it-yourself” flowers or having a friend design them, only to end up with bouquets falling apart minutes before the wedding! Don’t risk it! Experienced florists process and design your wedding flowers for optimum presentation and performance. Your flowers are one of the most important elements of your wedding! You want them to be beautiful. They compliment you, your wedding party, your wedding photos and provide an elegant atmosphere for you and your guests on your special day!

Congratulations!

Tenley McDonald- Former Florist- Now Co-Owner of http://www.flowerpowernetwork.com (Online Directory of Real Local Florists) Ms. McDonald has over 14 years experience in ~Consumer Relations/Marketing ~Customer Service Management ~Floral Design. Please email the Author directly for reprint permission of this article.

Most average gardeners quietly and sadly resign themselves to a long winter empty of the lovely flowers that, only a few weeks before, had graced their lives with color and fragrance. Yes, it’s sad to leave the outdoor garden behind.

Houseplants relieve some of the sadness, but somehow it’s just not the same. I mean, African violets and Christmas Cactus are nice, but I long for my lupines and roses, delphiniums and pansies and all the other wonderfully cheerful little flower-faces that once looked back from the border. Surely there must be a way to bring my favorites in for the winter! The real trick, as you’ll soon see, is to plan ahead.

Enter my very best friend of over 45 years, Linda. . .to my rescue (why am I not surprised?!). “Not to fear,” says she. “I’ll bring in some of summer’s delights and dry them so they can be our company this winter!”
“What a marvelous idea!” says I. “But doesn’t it take some special trick or magic? Don’t we have to take a class or something?” “Well, no” says she. “Just you watch. You’ll see!”

So, for the price of a trifling few moments of summer effort (which this remarkable person calls fun), our home is frequently host to a quantity of most attractive little dry flower arrangements in baskets and vases, adding joy to joy.

You see, there really wasn’t any magic involved. All it took was a desire, some good old New England resolve, a few wire coat hangers and some twist ‘n ties like the ones that come with most household trash bags. Combine those factors and inexpensive materials with a space in your attic or closetand selections from the list of “best-bets-to-begin-with” that I’ll include belowand you have arrived at the prestigious stage of “expert.”

What’s that you say? “Fine time to tell us about this now that the whole world is covered with snow!” “Nay,” say I! This is the perfect time. Winter is for planning. If I’d have told you about this in May or June, you’d have been so busy it would never have managed to be squeezed in. Isn’t this the time for resolutions? So make one that says: “This is the last winter I’ll spend with no summertime flowers in the house!”

The instructions are pure simplicity. On a dry, sunny day, cut your fresh flowers, leaving fairly long stems. Gather them into small bunches of not more than 6 or 7 stems and wrap the ends tightly with a twist ‘n tie. Attach several of these small bunches to a wire clothes hanger so they dangle down, and suspend it in an attic or closet to dry. The drying process takes from ten days to three or four weeks. Most will retain their color, but a few will turn a pale tan. Not to worry, even softer, faded-out colors fit into dried flower arrangements nicely.

The rest is up to you and your arranging imagination and creativity. Pictures in a book are very helpful. Remember that dried flowers are fragile and some delicate parts are bound to shatter away if handled roughly.

Dried arrangements add so much to a home! They brighten a room and certainly brighten spirits. The icing on a cake: they make thoughtful and much appreciated gifts-especially to shut-ins.

That’s it for air-drying. Here’s the list of “best bets” I promised you:
Artemisia; Astilbe; Baby’s Breath; Beebalm; Cattails; Celosia; Chive seed heads; Coneflower seed heads; Globe Amaranth; Globe Thistle; Goldenrod; Gomphrena; Heather; Helichrysom; Hydrangea (especially “Pee-Gee”); Lavender; Lunaria (seed structures, not the flowers); Ornamental Grasses; Pearly Everlastings; Pussywillows; Salvia; Sea Lavender; Statice; Veronica; Yarrow.

The list could go on but I think you get the picture. Just keep your eyes open and don’t be bashful.
Now let’s tackle a trickier process: drying some of the more delicate and intricate blossoms in sand. Large flowers like roses, carnations, daisies, delphiniums and many others not only lose their shape, but most fade to brown if simply hung out to dry.

Sand Drying. By far the least complicated method is air-drying, but that limits us to a relatively short list of possibilities. Carefully surrounding more delicate and intricate flowers with sand (or silica gel) extends the list considerably and opens the door to much more elaborate and lovely floral displays that can last for months.

First, a word or two of caution. Most sand-dried flowers are extremely fragile, shattering at the slightest misadventure. A playful kitten or curious child will quickly turn a beautiful flower into a handful of fragments resembling breakfast flakes. The entire process briefly described below must be undertaken slowly, very deliberately and with the lightest touch. The final requirement is patience. A flower removed from its sandy bed too soon - before it is completely desiccated - will quickly shrivel to ruin…so don’t be too anxious.

Sand. Probably the most difficult first step is finding just the right sand. If you’re willing to spend a little extra, most larger craft stores either have in stock or can order sand best suited to the purpose, usually in five-pound tins. You’ll need about fifteen or twenty pounds to get started. Since sand specifically manufactured for the purpose is completely reusable, it should last a while, especially if it’s kept reasonably clean. Silica gel may be too tricky (and too expensive) for the beginner, experimenter or for anyone on a limited budget. It dries flowers very quickly but must be timed almost to the exact, “just right” moment.

Silica sand (or “glass sand”), on the other hand, is perfect, much more pleasant to handle and is considerably less expensive. It is almost pure white and looks like fine granulated sugar. Beach sand, masonry or “sharp” builder’s sand and road sand is irregular and dirty, and may leave an unpleasant and difficult-to-remove residue on your dried specimens. Take the time to find just the right kind.

Containers. Sturdy shoe boxes are just about perfect for drying flowers. Round cardboard oatmeal containers work well, too, but can be a little awkward. Both have close-fitting lids and are stable, not being easily upset. Plastic bags and glass jars are not suitable; neither are grocery or lunch bags.
Where? Just the other day someone said to me “Sure, dry all kinds of flowers! But where can I get flowers this time of year?” A reasonable question, and one that’s easy to answer. Here’s where you’ll find plenty of material

* From a thoughtful spouse or friend who sends or brings you a nice bouquet or potted flowering plant from a local florist or supermarket.

* Weddings are happening all around us. In my earlier days as a wedding photographer I attended hundreds of weddings and many had attractive little fresh arrangements at each reception table.

* There are almost as many funerals as there are weddings (hmmmm). While I don’t recommend you go to a funeral just for the flowers, very often those large arrangements, loaded with a wide variety of suitable blossoms and greenery, end up in the rubbish after the service. Most funeral homes would be happy to see them “recycled.”

* The local florist or flower shop. One or two single daisies or mums shouldn’t cost too much. They might even let you have a few of their “rejects.” Tiny flaws which make a flower unsuitable for a fresh arrangement are perfectly acceptable for drying. Ask.

* And of course there’s your own garden-next year.

Okbefore going to Part 2, run down some suitable sand and gather up a few mush or shoe boxes. Also, gather together a paper cup or two, and a small, soft artist’s paintbrush. Finally, if you’re the type who salvages and recycles such things, a block of dried-out “Oasis”spongy, green blocks which florists use in arrangementswill make a handy place to temporarily hold the finished, dried specimens.

Part 2 in this 3-part series will show you how to use your sand for drying, and will introduce the secret that florists have guarded for decades to retain that “live” look in dry-arrangement foliage accents. Later, in Part 3, we’ll get the plans and instructions for an affordabledo-it-yourselfflower press.

View the list of Fred’s other articles at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Fred_Davis

Fred Davis is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, lecturer, and long-time nurseryman. He and his wife, Linda, own and operate a popular perennial nursery in Palermo, Maine, and maintain a no-frills gardening information website at: http://www.HillGardens.com/ where you’ll find answers to your gardening questions.

Back in August of 1955, two of the men who brutally murdered young Chicagoan Emmett Till visited a Delta family’s home in nearby Rulesville shortly afterwards.

Now a resident of Drew in Sunflower County less than five miles near the plantation where Till was killed, an old woman, who asks to remain anonymous, remembers that summer night of her seventeenth year when her parents let J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant into their home. Bryant was her mother’s relative by marriage; both were loud and nervous, she recalled.

Recently, Mrs. “Brown” stopped in to visit with a black restaurant owner in Drew, telling him she felt it important to share her story with him and others in the black community.

“It’s finally the right time,” she told the restauranteer.

“My parents didn’t tell me then what was going on at the time. J.W. had a full brother, Bud, and I am very sure he was with them, too. I was in bed but I could hear their voices.”[1]

It was years later that her father confessed to the Drew woman that Milam and Bryant told him what they had done to Emmett Till.

“They knew the law was looking for them. They also said that Carolyn Bryant was with them when they killed Emmett Till. I don’t know when Bud joined them. I think they caught up with him later. He was a nicer person than his brother and I don’t think he would have killed someone - I hope not.”

When she awoke at sunrise that same morning, all three men had left her family home. “I never knew what happened to them after they left our house. I think they knew the law was going to catch up with them. And I think they felt safe, since most of the officers were covering for them, anyway. I don’t know if they turned themselves in, let themselves be found or if they were picked up by the sheriff and charged.

“I still can’t believe how they put our family in such danger; there was so much turmoil after Emmett Till was killed. People in Drew - black and white - were threatening to kill each other’s entire families. Some were threatening to kill as many as ten members of another person’s family as payback.”[2]

Even though her parents hid the killers of Emmett Till and never turned them in, the Drew woman denies their involvement.

“I know that my parents would have never covered for them. The men came to our house and sat there all night. Later my parents told me what was going on. But I would never want anyone to think that our family helped them out.”

Mrs. Brown believes that “most white people in Drew and Ruleville felt the same way.”

“After the trial, the only support Milam and Bryant got came from the Klan because they were members. Most people didn’t want to have anything to do with them; they had killed a 14-year-old child, after all. Maybe they didn’t mean to do it, but they did kill him.”

On August 24, 1955, fourteen-year-old Till whistled at a white woman in a grocery store in Money, Mississippi, a small cotton hamlet in the Delta. Emmett Till, a teen from Chicago, didn’t understand that he had broken the unwritten laws of the Jim Crow South until three days later, when two white men dragged him from his bed in the dead of night, beat him brutally and then shot him in the head.

Although Till’s killers were arrested and charged with murder, they were both acquitted quickly by an all-white, all-male jury. Shortly afterwards, the defendants sold their story, including a detailed account of how they murdered Till, to a journalist.

The murder and the trial horrified the nation and the world and Till’s death was a spark that helped mobilize the civil rights movement. Three months after his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River, the Montgomery bus boycott began after Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of a city bus. Parks would later tell the young man’s mother how she was influenced by Till’s murder to take her personal stand.

The federal government’s failure to become involved in the Till case led blacks and whites to realize that if change were to come, they would have to do it themselves. Some historians describe the murder of young Emmett Till as the real spark that ignited broad-based support for the movement.

—–

[1] A story appearing September 3, 1955, in the Jackson Advocate suggested that three white men were, in fact, involved in the kidnapping, marking “the first suggestion that more individuals were involved in the abduction than either Milam or Bryant let on,” according to Christopher Metress, editor of a comprehensive book on the Emmett Till incident.
[
2] Interview by Susan Klopfer on March 4, 2005, with a Sunflower County resident who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. “Just a few years ago, our minister and his family were threatened when the minister tried to talk about church integration. They were almost run out of town.” Bud was probably with the group, as she suggested. Dr. TRM Howard’s version of the kidnapping and murder appeared in a small booklet in February 1956, Time Bomb: Mississippi Exposed and the Full Story of Emmett Till. The author was Olive Arnold Adams, the wife of Julius J. Adams, the publisher of the New York Age, but Howard was her main source. He also wrote the forward.” In addition to Time Bomb, a series of articles appeared in the California Eagle, a black newspaper in Los Angeles. “The author was a mysterious white Southern reporter who wrote under the pseudonym of Amos Dixon. Dixon put forward essentially the same thesis as Time Bomb but offered a more detailed description of the possible roles of Loggins, Hubbard, and Collins. He also alleged that another brother of Milam and Bryant, Leslie Milam (now dead) took part in the crime,” wrote David T. Beito and Linda Royster Beito (”Why It’s Unlikely the Emmett Till Murder Mystery Will Ever Be Solved,” History News Network, 4/26/04).
—

Being a florist can be a very exciting and challenging career. Many people of all ages, from other working backgrounds are being retrained and entering the floristry industry.

If you are considering a career in floristry, you should enjoy working with flowers and be willing to learn all aspects of the floristry profession. You will need to be able to arrange flowers in an attractive manner and be a reasonably quick worker.

In our Floristry Diploma Course we teach you how to create floral designs for all types of occasions.

As a florist is dealing closely with the public, you should have a genuine liking for people, and have a pleasant and helpful manner.

Flowers touch the emotions of other peoples’ lives. Customers ordering funeral tributes are often relatives or close friends of the deceased and may be emotionally upset. As a florist, you will need to be sympathetic and understanding.

A florist has the pleasure of helping a bride-to-be select just the right flowers and type of bridal bouquet for the most important day of her life - her wedding day.

The florist shares the joy and excitment when a proud new father comes in to order flowers for his wife in hospital.

Floristry is not all glamour. There is a lot of hard work and long hours involved. The duties in a florist shop will include:-

Unpacking stock as it comes into the florist shop

Conditioning flowers and watering plants

Pricing merchandise and displaying it attractively

Attending to customers

Answering the telephone

Completing orders and making up designs for the shop

Making sure the florist shop is clean and tidy

Keeping book work up to date

Changing the shop window display

Working in a Florist Shop

You will need to be able to work efficiently. A typical day in a florist shop could include ten wreaths for an early morning funeral, several arrangements and posies. Often a posy or a sheaf of flowers will need to be made up while the customer waits.

A good employee has common sense, a positive attitude, is honest and a willing worker who sees what needs doing and does it in a cheerful and efficient manner.

An employer will appreciate a capable trustworthy employee who has the employer’s interest at heart and will co-operate and help with any duties involved in the running of the floristry business.

Applying for a Position in a Florist Shop.

You should present yourself favourably, be well groomed, polite and have an enthusiastic manner. If you have any references from previous positions, report cards or personal references, take these with you. You may like to take samples or photographs of your floral designs with you. Naturally, any photographs or samples should be of a high standard with the flowers arranged attractively and colours blended tastefully. Any wiring and taping should be neatly done.

The florist may ask you to make up an arrangement, posy or a sheaf. You will be expected to choose suitable flowers and foliage in colours which blend well together and make up a professional looking design in a reasonable amount of time (approximately 15-20 minutes for a standard arrangement). Do not worry if you are a bit nervous. Florists are usually understanding people and will make allowances for this. It is far better to be a little nervous rather than have an over confident and “know it all” manner.

A few years ago a position was advertised for a junior in a very busy florist shop in a leading shopping centre in Melbourne. There were over forty applicants, but one of our students was successful because she could show the florist she was capable of creating attractive floral designs.

After the interview is over thank the employer for seeing you, and if the position offered appeals to you, you could say “I am very impressed with your shop” or “I would really like the opportunity of working for you”. An employer would much rather employ a person who really wants the position in preference to someone who is indifferent.

OWNING YOUR OWN FLORIST SHOP.

Many people find the idea of going into business for themselves very tempting. You may want to open your own florist shop, but you should be fully aware of all the facts before you make a decision to start up or buy into a business.

HOW TO DECIDE IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT TYPE OF PERSON TO GO INTO A FLORIST BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF.

Advantages

You will have a feeling of fulfilment of being involved in such a creative industry such as floristry.

If you run a successful florist business it can be far more rewarding financially than working for wages.

There is a feeling of security in owning your own successful florist business.

You will find running your own florist shop is never dull. You will never know what each day will bring. Working for yourself is far more exciting than going to work in an often dull routine job.

You will meet some very interesting people through dealing directly with the public. This can often develop into lasting friendships.
You will be providing a real service to your customers. The skilled florist is always appreciated and will have a secure life-long career.

Disadvantages
(You will find it helpful if you do this questionnaire)

As Floristry is a lot of hard work and often long hours are involved, do you have the necessary health and energy to run a business?
Yes / No

Do you have enough money to start a florist business?
Do you have another source of borrowing money if necessary?
Sometimes you will need to inject extra funds into the business
Yes / No

Are you self motivated and have enough discipline to be able to organise yourself to see what the most important tasks are and to see each one is carried out?
Yes / No

Are you a reasonably quick worker?
Yes / No

When a problem arises, are you the type of person who can come up with a solution?
Yes / No

If you have a family, do you have someone you can rely on to help with the children?
Yes / No

To stand a good chance in a floristry business you should honestly be able to answer “Yes” to all the above questions.

How successful you are in Floristry, as in anything in life, will depend on how much time and effort YOU are prepared to put into it.

Floristry Diploma Course
Our floristry diploma course covers opening your own florist shop, how to find a job in a florist shop and working from home.
For full information on our floristry diploma courses please click onto http://www.floral-art-school.au/

Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School

Copyright 2002 by Fay Chamoun
I grant permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the resource box are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way.

“It was roses, roses all the way.”
- Robert Browning

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose; By any other name would smell as sweet.”
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 scene 2

Roses have a long and colorful history. According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old. Today, there are over 30,000 varieties of roses and it has the most complicated family tree of any known flower species.

The cultivation of roses most likely began in Asia around 5000 years ago. They have been part of the human experience ever since and mentions of the flower are woven into a great many tales from the ancient world.

And there are so many beautiful stories that include roses through out the ages that we all can recognize.

Greek mythology tells us that it was Aphrodite who gave the rose its name, but it was the goddess of flowers, Chloris, who created it. One day while Chloris was cleaning in the forest she found the lifeless body of a beautiful nymph. To right this wrong Chloris enlisted the help of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who gave her beauty; then called upon Dionysus, the god of wine, who added nectar to give her a sweet scent. When it was their turn the three Graces gave Chloris charm, brightness and joy. Then Zephyr, the West Wind, blew away the clouds so that Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the flower bloom. And so the Rose was…

In another story, an ancient Hindu legend, Brahma (the creator of the world) and Vishnu (the protector of the world) argued over whether the lotus was more beautiful than the rose. Vishnu backed the rose, while Brahma supported the lotus. But Brahma had never seen a rose before and when he did he immediately recanted. As a reward Brahma created a bride for Vishnu and called her Lakshmi she was created from 108 large and 1008 small rose petals.

Several thousands of years later, on the other side of the world in Crete , there are Frescoes which date to c. 1700BC illustrating a rose with five-pedaled pink blooms. Discoveries of tombs in Egypt have revealed wreaths made with flowers, with roses among them. The wreath in the tomb of Hawara (discovered by the English archaeologist William Flinders Petrie) dates to about AD 170, and represents the oldest preserved record of a rose species still living.

Roses later became synonymous with the worst excesses of the Roman Empire when the peasants were reduced to growing roses instead of food crops in order to satisfy the demands of their rulers. The emperors filled their swimming baths and fountains with rose-water and sat on carpets of rose petals for their feasts and orgies. Roses were used as confetti at celebrations, for medicinal purposes, and as a source of perfume. Heliogabalus used to enjoy showering his guests with rose petals which tumbled down from the ceiling during the festivities.

During the fifteenth century, the factions fighting to control England used the rose as a symbol. The white rose represented York , and the red rose symbolized Lancaster . Not surprisingly, the conflict between these factions became known as the War of the Roses.

In the seventeenth century roses were in such high demand that roses and rose water were considered as legal tender. In this capacity they were used as barter in the markets as well as for any payments the common people had to make to royalty. Napoleon’s wife Josephine loved roses so much she established an extensive collection at Chateau de Malmaison, an estate seven miles west of Paris . This garden of more than 250 rose varieties became the setting for Pierre Joseph Redoute’s work as a botanical illustrator and it was here Redoute completed his watercolor collection “Les Rose,” which is still considered one of the finest records of botanical illustration.

Cultivated roses weren’t introduced into Europe until the late eighteenth century. These introductions came from China and were repeat bloomers, making them of great interest to hybridizers who no longer had to wait once a year for their roses to bloom.

From this introduction, experts today tend to divide all roses into two groups. There are “old roses” (those cultivated in Europe before 1800) and “modern roses” (those which began to be cultivated in England and France around the turn of the 19th century).

Until the beginning of the 19th century, all roses in Europe were shades of pink or white. Our romantic symbol of the red rose first came from China around 1800. Unusual green roses arrived a few decades later.

Bright yellow roses entered the palette around 1900. It was the Frenchman Joseph Permet-Ducher who is credited with the discovery. After more than 20 years of breeding roses in a search for a hardy yellow variety, he luck changed when one day he simply stumbled across a mutant yellow flower in a field. We have had yellow and orange roses ever since

The rose is a phenomenal plant and is rightly known as ‘the world’s favorite flower’. No other flower has ever experienced the same popularity that the rose has enjoyed in the last fifth years. In temperate climates, roses are more widely grown than any other ornamental plant, and as cut flowers they are forever in fashion.

It has been estimated that 150 million plants are purchased by gardeners worldwide every year, and sophisticated breeding programs have produced a plant that dominates the world’s cut flower market; the annual crop is calculated in tons. Roses have also made a tremendous contribution to the perfume industry.

Roses boast an ancient lineage, and they are intricately entwined in our history and culture.

As a motif, the rose has been and still is depicted in many national emblems. It has been adopted by countless political factions, and even by businesses and several international events.

THE ORIGINS OF CULTIVATED ROSES

Rose’s species have a natural distribution through out most parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Paleontologists inform us that they become established in the Tertiary Period, which began 70 million years ago. This means that the ancestors of the rose predate the evolution of humans

Europe and the Middle East - The Dawn of Rose Breeding

Well before the Christian Era, the transportation of useful plants had played an essential part in the expansion of civilizations. The sprawling Roman Empire together with the excursions of Alexander the Great in Asia introduced many species never seen before in the Middle East and Europe . The dog rose ( Rosa canina), for example, was long thought to be a native of Britain , but was in fact brought there by the Romans.

By about AD 1200 the first five groups of domesticated roses had already begun to evolve in cultivation: Albas, Centifolias, Damasks, Gallicas and Scots Roses.

The Far East - the Birthplace of the Modern Garden Rose

Although rose growing enjoured high popularity in the gardens of Europe for many hundreds of years, it was not until the end of the eighteenth century, with the discovery of R. chinensis in China , that a major step forward was achieved. The revolutionary characteristic of this rose is its ability to flower repeatedly from early summer to late autumn.

Some commentators have used the term ‘perpetual flowering’ but this can be misinterpreted and used too literally. ‘Parson’s Pink China’, ‘Slater’s Crimson China”, Hume’s Blush Tea-scented China’ and Parks’ Yellow Tea-scented China’ - the first cultivated varieties - opened up a new vista of roses with a modern classical shape, a true crimson color with a very pale hint of the early yellows and a repeat -flowering performance. The Far East became the birthplace of the Modern Garden Rose, and the rest is history.

East Meets West

The introduction of roses from the Far East coincided rather neatly with the advent of modern breeding techniques. Although the sexual function of the flower, in particular the function of the anthers and stigma had been revealed in the seventeenth century, this discovery was not used in practical plant breeding for another two hundred years before this time, ‘primitive’ rose breeders would place two distinct varieties in pots together when both were in full bloom; they knew that there was a reasonable chance that the plants would cross-breed and produce seedlings with shared characteristics of the two parents.

In the early part of the nineteenth century, hybridists, primarily French amateurs, began a planned breeding program with very gratifying results. This was quickly followed up with some enthusiasm by rose-growing devotees all around the world. Soon, rose breeding without first planning the parentage became unthinkable.

The subsequent g=progeny produced were identified by groups usually names after their town or country of origin, the hybridist and, in some cases, a wealthy patron. Thus, collective terms such as Bourbons, Noisettes, Hybrid Perpetuals and Portlands came into existence with varying degrees of success. Eventually, the collective term Hybrid Teas was coined; 1867 is the date usually quoted when this modern group became a recognizable entity. Since that time, Hybrid Teas (also known as Large-flowered Roses), have progressed from strength to strength.

The Last Fifty Years

The early 1950s was a decisive time in the history of the rose. Gardening for leisure, rather than for food, became increasingly popular, and this coincided with the release of a new rose variety called ‘Peace’. It is difficult to convey the impact this rose had on gardeners-simply put, everybody was growing it! ‘Peace’ almost single-handedly advanced the popularity of the rose out of all proportion to any other garden plant.

In the last decade there have been many new schools of thought on the role of the rose in the garden. No longer are we subjected to endless formal flowerbeds solely devoted to this single genus. It is not that gardeners have lost their appreciation of these superb blooms, rather it is that they have discovered how wonderful roses can look when grown informally among other plants such as clematis, honeysuckles, delphiniums, lavender, spring bulbs and geraniums.

Although disease still rears its ugly head on certain occasion, the rose has become a much more adaptable plant; varieties are available that can be grown as shrubs, climbers, ground covers or in pots. Nowadays, the rose has a place in every garden, even the smallest back yard, and it is telling that the Patio Rose ‘Sweet Dream’ is one of the best-selling roses today.

THE ROSE IN HISTORY

As with most plants that have long been closely associated with the history of people, the rose has become deeply ingrained in our culture and beliefs. The Romans, who originally cultivated the rose as a medicinal plant, also used the blooms to enhance their festivities.

The Greeks, however, accepted the rose as a complement to the progress of their culture. Whenever a secret meeting was held, the Greeks used roses to decorate the ceilings of their conference rooms. This indicated that everything discussed was confidential, which is the origin of the phrase sub rosa.

In fifteenth century England , roses were chosen to represent the two rival royal factions: the white rose of the House of York and the red rose of the House of Lancaster. The heraldic Tudor Rose emerged as the emblem of royalty. More recently, roses have been used as motifs to further the aspirations of political parties and national sporting teams.

Evolution of the Rose

Throughout the history of civilization, no other flower has been so immortalized and integrated into daily life as the rose. From poetry to music, from festivities to wars, Mother’s Day to St Valentine’s Day, and birth to death, the rose has held a unique role. There are over 4000 roses listed in this monograph, and they are testimony enough to convince even the ultimate skeptic that roses have a rich tapestry of evolution stretching way back in time. Just how the genus Rosa managed to, and continues to, evolve into one of the world’s favorite flowers is an interesting horticultural puzzle. To fully appreciate the development of roses up to the present day, a brief exploration of the early history of roses before 1800 is needed.

Roses in Antiquity

Fossil remains found on a slate deposit in Colorado indicates that roses estimated 40 million years ago in North America . Other important fossil findings through the Northern Hemisphere have confirmed the very ancient existence of roses growing as far north as Alaska and Norway and as far south as Mexico . No Wild Roses have been found to grow below the equator, although roses now thrive in the Southern Hemisphere thanks to the deliberate intervention of civilization.

Where or when the genus Rosa originated is unknown in spite of the wealth of fossil studies. In theory, the early Wild Roses were most likely cultivated for their hips, which have some nutritional properties, as were their close relatives, the cherries, plums and apples. Most of these early species roses were five-petalled, pink or white with some yellows from China . As civilizations developed trade, accidental crosses of there early species started the evolutionary process as they were grown along side each other.

Mention of roses appeared frequently in the written records of early civilizations, such as those of the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans. In 500 BC, Confucius wrote about the roses growing in the Imperial Rose Garden of the Chinese Emperor, Who also had an extensive library of books about roses. It is from such writings that we can glean a picture of rose distribution and cultivation.

The oldest rose we can identify today is Rosa gallica , which gives very fragrant flowers of deep pink to crimson followed by brick red, sub-globose or turbine hops. The exact geographical origin of R. gallica is unknown, but there are references to it by the Persians in the twelfth century BC; they regarded it as a strong symbol of love and commitment. The next identifiable rose was the very fragrant R. damasccena, which appeared in descriptive texts around 900 BC. In 50 BC a northern African variant called R. damascena semperflorens, the’Autumn Damask’. Captivated the Romans for its ability to give two bloom cycles instead of just one. Traced back to the fifth century BC, it is believed to have resulted from a cross between R. gallica and T. moschata (the musk rose). Until the discovery and importation of China roses from the Orient in the late eighteenth century, R damascena semperflorens was the only repeat-bloomers known to the Western world.

Another rose of great historical importance was the Alba Rose, ‘White Rose of York’, the emblem of the great House of York during the fifteenth century Wars of the Roses. R. alba is probably a lot older, dating back to as early as the second century AD.

In early European times, the evolution of the rose had reached a well-defined, simple family tree, which had five distinctive Old Garden Rose classiciations: Gallica, Alba, Damask, Centifolia and Moss.

Roses in the New World

Of the 200 species of Wild Roses know worlkdwide, about 35 are considered indigenous to the Unites State , which makes the rose a American as apple pie. The first American species mentioned in European texts was R. virginiana; notable other species are R. Carolina, the ‘Pasture Rose’, R. setigera, the ‘Praire Rose’, R. California, R woodsii and R. palustris, the ‘Swamp Rose’. Several of these are named after their naturally selected habitat. Captain John Smith wrote about the Indians of the James River Valley who planted Wild Roses to adorn their village surroundings. In 1621, Edward Winslow, a founder of the Plymouth Colony, planted lots of fragrant white, red and Damask Roses.

Modern Roses

In 1867, the French breeder Guillot introduced a medium pink variety called ‘La France’. This variety was considered unique in that it possessed the general habit of a Hygrid Perpetual (Mme Victor Verdier, its seed parent) as well as the elegantly shaped buds and free-flowering character of a Tea Rose (Mme Bravy, the pollen parent). Recognition that ‘La France’ demonstrated a new group was delayed for almost thirty years of acrimonious discussion in the popular horticultural magazine of the era. Gardener’s Chronicle. Nevertheless, the first Hybrid Tea had been born! Although technical difficulties hindered the direct mimicking of Guillot’s work, practical experience over the following twenty years finally resolved the problems and rapid expansion of the Hybrid Tea class with different colors and foliage took place. Hybrid Teas, now known as Large-flowered Roses, quickly replaced Hybrid Perpetuals in popularity in gardens all over Europe and America . Planned breeding has now developed over 10,000 Hybrid Teas that demonstrate a wide range of color and blends and even stripes!

Eric is a friend to the growers of fine roses at Rosefarm.com, an online fresh cut rose delivery serivce.

Visualize watching a bright green hummingbird in your garden moving from flower to flower in search of the tasty nectar within. These beautiful and tiny birds weigh about 2 to 20 grams and are found in a wide variety of environments from the high Andes to lowlands, and from dry desert areas to rainforests. They have slender beaks, extensible tongues, ten primary feathers, and tiny feet suitable for perching but not walking.

Hummingbirds can fly straight up, straight down, backwards, left, right, and even upside down. While most birds obtain their flight strength only from the down stroke, hummingbirds have power on the up stroke as well.

Most hummingbirds flap their wings about fifty times a second and have a very fast heartbeat and high body temperature. They feed every ten minutes or so throughout the day and typically consume two-thirds of their body weight in a single day. Their source of nutrition is primarily nectar from flowers, as well as sources of protein from insects and tiny spiders.

The key to attracting hummingbirds to your garden mainly consists of the right type of flowers and places where they can perch and rest during the day, such as trees or large plants. Hummingbirds are guided by visual means and are particularly attracted to certain shades of red. According to The Hummingbird Society, there are several possible explanations for their preference of red blossoms. Given that insects also see nectar, they can be regarded as competitors. Nearly all insects see well in the visible and near-ultraviolet light but poorly in the red end of the spectrum. Also, a red blossom may appear nearly black and unattractive to a number of insects, but not to the hummingbird, which can see the full visible spectrum but also some in the ultraviolet. This makes it less likely that an insect has taken nectar from a red flower. Another likely explanation is that during migration, red blossoms effectively contrast with a green environment more than other colored flowers do.

Hummingbirds are welcomed guests to nearly all gardens. By planting flowering shrubs and plants that are their favored food source, we can easily attract them to become regular visitors to our gardens. Below is a short list of their preferred flowering plants by common name, separated by region:

Southeastern United States:

Butterfly Bush

Cardinal Flower

Coral or Trumpet Honeysuckle

Cypress Vine

Native Trumpet Creeper

Texas Sage

Southwest United States:

Indian Paintbrush

Lantana

Lily of the Nile

Mexican Honeysuckle

Texas Sage

Western Coral Bean

West Coast United States:

Beebalm

Bottle Brush

Cape Fuchsia

Colombine

Salmonberry

Woodland Orchard

Northeastern United States:

Blue Lobelia

Cardinal Flower

Hollyhock

Red Morning Glory

Salvia

Scarlet Sage

Midwest United States:

Coral Bells

Coral Honeysuckle

Foxglove

Hosta

Impatients

Lilac

Even though flowers are the natural means to attract hummingbirds to your garden, man-made feeders filled with a mixture of water and sugar (sucrose) are an essential alternative. Sugar, whether from a flower or a feeder, is a necessary nutrient in a hummingbird’s diet. Tests have shown that hummingbirds favor sucrose in flower nectar more than other sugars such as fructose and glucose. Therefore, with the proper ratio of ingredients, your feeder becomes a good substitute to the flowers that hummingbirds like best.

The formula for the mixture used in hummingbird feeders is 4 parts water (not distilled) to 1 part table sugar. Boil the mixture for one to two minutes, then cool and store in refrigerator. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Do not use red food coloring, honey, or artificial sweeteners in your mixture, as this could be harmful to the hummingbirds.

If one of your goals is to attract hummingbirds to your garden, a visit to your local nursery is a great starting point. Find an experienced employee who can tell you which species of plants grow well in your area and have a history of successfully attracting hummingbirds. Most importantly, be imaginative and have fun planting and growing your garden to attract beautiful hummingbirds.

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange and the Home & Garden Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and a shopping marketplace. The Home & Garden Exchange website is a link exchange program and directory dedicated to the home and garden industry, as well as offering free website content and promotional ideas. Please visit both websites for all of your home, garden, and website needs.

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