Starry, starry night

Star Flowers? Shooting stars? And ... um ... abenosser? Read more about what else we have handpicked the curiosities of this week's bouquet ...

This week's bouquet is a cornucopia of astral delights, primarily Asters "Monte Cassino". Asters, of course, Latin for "star". Long ago was the flower symbol of patience and elegance; it was also used as a love-charm. Asters is also known as Michaelmas' daisies as the language of flowers symbolize a goodbye or departure. This particular species is known also as Heath Asters and takes its name from a rock just outside of Rome, famous for its historic monastery.

Ornithogalum arabic is also a little heavenly with its wide range of Star of Bethehem called such due to its star-shaped petals. More common names for the same flower is Arabian Eye, Bethlehem and Arabic Star Flower. It is an absolutely wonderful plant!

Anastasia "Star Pink" is an award-winning chrysanthemum, developed in the Netherlands. It won the prestigious Glass Tulip 2012 - the same year it was created. It has pink flowers with bright green tips and a cool vintage look.

We continue with the theme Crocosmias, also known as "star" in the United States. This particular variant is a Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' and we love its bright orange colored funnel-shaped flowers. (Bloomon comes from the Netherlands, where they love orange). Although their flag is red, white and blue, you've probably noticed that all Dutch sports teams are dressed in orange. It is also the color that permeates everything and everyone at the annual "King's Day", which celebrates King's birthday. It is also a national holiday. We, in turn, do not know who Emily McKenzie is, but we guess that she might not be Dutchman. http://stuffdutchpeoplelike.com/2010/11/30/no-7-orange/

And then the week's twist one Asclepias "Moby Dick," which also goes by the name ... hm ... "abekugler". We freely admit that it is one of the strangest flowers that we have ever seen; but we love everything that is brittle and beautiful.

You need something during the week that works takes balls? So we hope that the flower here reminds you to be brave.

We'd love to see your Bloomon flowers and hear what you think of them.

Daffodils, Pentecost lilies or narcissus?

Then it was March, and the struggle between winter and spring infant is to take to the touch. Along with snowdrops daffodils are among the most popular signs of spring and fortunately we can take daffodils with inside. Let's look at this bulbous plant, which with the sun's colors remind us that the first warm day of spring after all ahead.

Daffodils grow and bloom best when they have plenty of moisture, so do not let the soil dry out. The more water they get, the higher they can become. They bloom best when they are light and preferably not too hot. Cut off the faded flowers of, so get the onions more power.

Daffodil - Narcissus - is with its lamp-like and pure form also very decorative as a cut flower in a vase. Although they are super popular at Easter, there is no reason to wait - send them already now as a spring greeting!

Did you know that…

Narcissism, overdriven love for self, comes from the legend of the young Narcissus in Greek mythology. He was so in love with himself that he was staring at his own reflection in the water until he eventually fell in and drowned. Since he was turned into a flower.

In Wales it is said that the one sees season's first daffodil get 12 months of prosperity.

Daffodils symbolize friendship, bravery, respect, faithfulness and of course Easter.

The health benefits of the rose

Before starting my article I will like to say a few words about health.

"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease."
"He, who has health, has hope. And he, who has hope, has everything."
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."

The rose naturally conjures up images and thoughts of love and romance for almost all people. Love is a natural healer. That is one big health benefit! The rose is a beautiful exquisite flower no doubt. It is used in flower arrangements, bouquets, as a part of decorations at weddings and celebrations and it even forms a part of wreaths on coffins. Even just looking at a rose brings pleasure to most people. The beauty and delicate fragrance of the rose has universal appeal. This lovely flower has many other uses other than being decorative or an instrument of love and romance.
Rose water:

The petals of the rose flower are used to make Rose-water. Rose water has a lovely fragrance. It is used as a part of many ceremonies. In India guests are welcomed by sprinkling rose water on them.

Rose water is an essential part of many beauty treatments. Rose water is used as an astringent and sometimes as a base for astringent and skin toner.

Rose water is used to make beauty face masks. Mix a bit of sandalwood powder in rose water. Apply a thin layer of this paste to your face avoiding the eye contour and then wash it off after it dries.

Sometimes rose water is applied after steaming the face or some other beauty treatment.

You can make rose water at home if you wish. Take fresh rose petals and pour just enough water to cover them. Boil or simmer on a low flame for about 45 minutes and allow the decoction to cool. Strain and squeeze out the rose petals and voila, you have your rose water. You can bottle and refrigerate it. Use the homemade rose water within a week to ten days.

If your eyes feel tired, just dip a swab of cotton in cool rose water and place it over your eyes. This will cool and refresh your eyes.

The rose is also used to make perfumes.

Rooh afza- rose syrup
making Gulkand at home
commercially available gulkand

The rose by any other name..

Other than external uses, the rose is also eaten or consumed. Rose essence is used in foods. Fresh rose petals are sometimes used to garnish sweets such as jelebi , phirni or sweets such as mawa cakes etc.

Rose essence is used in flavouring beverages. Rooh-afza is commercially available popular rose syrup. Rose syrup added to chilled milk or lassi makes an excellent drink in the summers.

To make rose syrup:

Boil water and sugar. Add one spoon sugar for a cup of water. Add rose essence to taste and red food color. Chill and serve. You can boil rose petals instead of using rose essence too.

You can make a concentrate of rose syrup. Just add more sugar and boil the mixture to make one thread consistency sugar syrup. You can add rose essence and bit of red food colour. then let it cool. This concentrate can be diluted before serving. You can add rose syrup to lemonade too.

Gulkand:

This is a sweet preserve made from rose petals and sugar. (gul means rose, kand means sweet or sugar) many people make gulkand at home, though it is available in the market.

Gulkand has many medicial uses as per ayurveda. It is used to treat acidity and constipation as it is an excellent digestive. Gulkand can be eaten just as it is or it can also can be put into paan and eaten, or you can add it to ice-creams, milk shakes and kulfi. Edible Silver foil is also added to gulkand at times, and sometimes gold powder is also added.

Gulkand has cooling properties. It is used as a cooling tonic to treat fatigue, and heat-related conditions. Eating a spoonful of gulkand every day is good for memory, eyesight, cheerfulness and it is a good blood purifier as well.

To make gulkand:

Use a wide-mouthed airtight glass jar. Ensure it is clear glass and not coloured glass. Place the fresh rose petals and sugar in alternate layers in this jar. Place this jar in direct sunlight for 6 hours per day for about 3 weeks to a month. Every other day, stir the contents with a wooden stick. The sugar will start melting and the rose petals will change color, and there will be a good blend or rose petals and sugar. Keep the jar indoors when done. Use the homemade gulkand within a month. (Home made preparations may be liable to contamination if the utensils used are not properly sterilized so it is best to get a commercially made preparation of gulkand as it may be more hygienic and will also last longer.)

What Do You Know About Tulips?

Are you searching for the perfect flower and getting ready for your next planned event or wedding? Sometimes there is no right or wrong flower but a matter preference as to what fits your needs or what fits your personality. The 101 series is a series of articles helping to educate everyone with the contrasts of various flowers. You may want to read the others in this series as well as many other helpful articles.

There are five things to keep in mind with tulips:

1. Tulips are usually six-petaled, elongated cup-shaped flowers with slender stems and large broad leaves. Purchase or cut tulips of good size and color, although a little green tinge is all right€"they will continue to develop after cutting. The tulip should be firm to the touch, and upright. Check the inside of the blossoms for signs of pollen: The centers should be clean.

2. In aged tulips, the tips of the petals are discolored or have a transparent look. The center of the base shows signs of pollination, and the flower feels soft to the touch.

3. The so-called Dutch tulip is a shorter variety with smaller blossom size than does the French tulip. The French tulips are longer lasting as a cut flower.

4. Striped or variegated Rembrandt tulips look like flames of fire. Rembrandt tulips have long pointy petals. Parrot tulips have ruffles and fringe tulips have frayed edges.

5. When Arranging with tulips, leave plenty of room, as they continue to grow and develop after being cut. They also open and close, and reach and move towards the light. Always set an arrangement of tulips in indirect light. Large tulip leaves can be gently curled and tucked between blossoms to keep flowers in place and allow you to use fewer of them.

Here is so more factual information you may also find helpful.

Names - Tulip, tulipa

Varieties - There are 15 different divisions of tulips, with hundreds of species, the most common being the single tulip.

Colors - all colors and combinations are available except no true blue.

Scent - A few varieties have a mild, sweet scent, but most have none.

Freshness - Purchase or cut tulips when they show good size and color. A little green is fine. Tulips should be firm to the touch and upright. Check inside the blossom to see that no pollen has developed.

Vase Life - About 5 days. The French variety will last 7 days or longer.

Availability - January to May

Meaning - Declaration of true love. €I am hopelessly in love with you.€

Cost - Winter-moderately priced. Spring-inexpensive. The French variety: Winter - expensive, Spring-moderately priced.

Arranging Tip - Tulips change daily after cutting. Leave enough room for tulips to grow and move, even if they are manipulated somewhat to fit into certain combinations. See arranging tips 1, 8, 10, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Growing Tip - Tulips are easy to grow in the garden for spring color and can be forced to bloom indoors in the winter. They only bloom for a short time in the spring, so plant early-, mid-, and late blooming varieties to extend tulip time. Most tulips become exhausted after a year or two, returning shorter and smaller every spring, so pick varieties that €naturalize€ well.

Other - Tulips are heavy drinkers!

Now that you know a little bit more about tulips, it is time to check out some popular varieties.

Regular Tulips include: Assorted, rainbow, white, pink, yellow, orange, hot pink, red, lavender, purple, black jack purple.

French Tulips include: White, white Maureen, pink, yellow, orange, hot pink, red.

Plantwatch: Roadside wonders

Roadside verges are one of our great wild plant refuges. They are only narrow strips of land, but verges along our major roads total an area the size of the Isle of Wight. And they provide a home to more than 700 species of plants, almost half the native flora of Britain, with some of the last habitats left for many wild flowers, especially meadow plants – which is why the charity Plantlife is campaigning to get verges looked after better to encourage these wild plants.

Many of the roadside plants are flowering now, such as the familiar red clover, common buttercup, brilliant white oxeye daisy and the tall rosebay willowherb with its distinctive clusters of purply-red flowers. There are even rare flowers, such as the green-winged orchids on the M40 in Buckinghamshire, the Deptford pink in Devon and Worcestershire and wood bitter-vetch in Powys.

Perhaps most iconic of the roadside flowers out now is the beautiful star-shaped yellow flowers of St John’s wort. This was a magical flower in pagan rituals on Midsummer’s Day (traditionally 24 June and distinct from summer solstice) when the flower was burned on bonfires to purify crops. It was also believed to ward off witchcraft, although in Christian times Midsummer’s Day was turned into St John’s Day, hence the name of the plant. In herbal medicine, St John’s wort was also valued for treating wounds – recent research has shown that it can indeed fight bacterial infections – although its best known use these days is probably for calming the nervous system and treating sleeplessness and depression.