Archive for February, 2008
Monday, February 18th, 2008
TUBEROUS BEGONIA
Many begonias come from tropical regions where there is little difference between the seasons. Tuberous begonias, which withdraw underground in unfavorable months, develop in regions where there is a significant difference between dry and rainy seasons, or cold and hot ones. They die down above ground, as do the species from the mountainous regions of Peru and Bolivia, from which the Tuberhybrida Group was derived. The cultivated varieties were created from numerous species that were intensively crossed, particularly since the 19th century. They include varieties with single flowers as well as those with fully double blooms, upright begonias, and trailing forms. There are examples in every flower color except blue. The colors are usually very pronounced and should be used only to add a bright touch or as a color zone in a flower-bed.
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Monday, February 18th, 2008
Compliment your garden with the table that seems to fit naturally in the surroundings, according to your tastes and preferences. If you have a certain theme, such as a quaint English garden, the style of the table should fit the theme. A garden table allows people to spend more time outside in the beautiful surroundings and fresh air. Choose between an all-natural look with a wooden table or a more modern look with a metal or plastic table.
Accent and dining tables for the garden will only make the outdoors more enjoyable. Decorative flower tops and charming wicker are fun and incorporate all-weather finishes and resins. You’ll love the classic woods that will only become more beautiful as they age amidst the greenery. Wrought irons are also appealing choices that can partner with nature. Create groupings with matching benches and chairs.
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Sunday, February 17th, 2008
PERSIAN VIOLET
Exacum affine is a species of plant in the Gentianaceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its natural habitat is rocky areas. A small herbaceous biennial plant with dark green, ovate leaves. The small purple flowers have a yellow centre.
The Yemenite island of Socotra lies in the Indian Ocean. A warm and dry place, the island is a paradise for plants, including species that are not to be found anywhere else in the world. The Persian violet is one of them, although the plant is now on display in countless living-rooms. Danish companies are particularly active in marketing it on a vast scale. You will find Persian violets with their purplish-blue or white flowers at garden centers and florists between April and November. They are then about five months old.
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Saturday, February 16th, 2008
BUSY LIZZIE
In regions where there are no frosts, busy lizzies grow into shrubs about 3 ft.4 in tall. A row of these plants forms a long and richly flowering hedge, thus creating a very festive appearance. Why, then, do those engaged in improving cultivated varieties always go to such pains to select the very smallest plants? In bad weather, the rain splashes the soil up against the underside of leaves and flowers and, if they remain wet for more than a few hours, glassy spots will appear on them and subsequently become slimy.
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Thursday, February 14th, 2008
RED STRAWBERRY SPINACH
The small flowers of the red Chenopodium foliosum or ‘strawberry spinach’ are packed closely in the leaf axils. After flowering, the tepals of each of the minuscule fruits swell up. Together, they form a false fruit containing numerous seeds. The false fruits are edible, but not really tasty to us. Birds eat and disseminate them.
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