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Growing Instructions

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  • Carnation

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Carnation - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Carnations, members of the Dianthus family, specifically Dianthus Caryophyllus, have been cultivated for at least 2000 years. It was the Athenians that named the flower Dianthos, from the Greek words dios (devine) and anthos (flower). Gillyflower, another name by which the plant is known, probably came from the French who called dianthus, gelofre. Carnations probably originated in the Pyrenees as single flowered specimens, but none of these naturally occurring, single, wild varieties exist today. The beauty of its flower, its longevity as a cut flower and the ease with which it could be cultivated combined to give it instant popularity in many, many cultures. Early on, the plant was subjected to massive breeding programs and by the early 1700's

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  • Canterbury Bells

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Canterbury Bells - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Canterbury Bells belong to the Campanula family, a huge family of flowers (more than 300) that all share the common characteristic from which they derive their Latin name. Campanula comes from the Latin, meaning tower of bells. So many of the campanulas are desirable garden flowers, that this species has long been a part of gardening history. The species of campanula discussed here is Campanulaceae medium - the Canterbury Bells. Canterbury Bells are native to Southern Europe and were introduced to British gardeners in 1597. In the 16th and 17th centuries Canterbury Bells were called Coventry Bells, but by the 1800's they had assumed the name, Canterbury Bells. Joseph Breck in his 1851 book, The Flower Garden, states

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  • Calendula

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Calendula - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions The Calendula, also known as Mary-Bud, Mary-Gold, Pot Marigold and Poor Man's Saffron, is one of the oldest of all cultivated flowers. The plant was described in the Third Century, BC and was an important part of the gardens of 5th Century France. It has been under cultivation for six centuries. The Latin name, Calendae, means the first day of the month. The plant has been cultivated in England since the 1200's. One of the many folk tales which enrich the history of this plant describes a beautiful, golden-haired child called Mary-Gold who spent all of her time watching the sun until one day she disappeared and was never found. In the place where she used to sit, there

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  • Blue Lace Flower

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Blue Lace Flower - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Blue Lace Flowers are native to Australia and little is known about how this plant made its way to the New World. The plant's Latin name is Trachymene Coerulea, but it is also identified by the Latin name Didiscus Coeruleus. Blue Lace Flower was probably carried to England and then introduced into the United States from England. Joseph Breck in his 1851 book, The Flower Garden, called didiscus, "...an elegant annual...producing its fine blue flowers in numerous umbrels...the size and shape of a large quilled Aster." It was a popular cottage garden flower during Victorian times, but lost its popularity in the mid-20th century. Among commercial growers, Blue Lace Flower is now re-emerging as an important

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  • Black Eyed Susan

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Black Eyed Susan - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Black Eyed Susans are indigenous to many sections of the United States. They were introduced into Europe soon after Columbus's visits and were named by Linnaeus in 1753. Linnaeus gave them the Latin name Rudbeckia Hirta after his mentor Olaf Rudbeck and hirta meaning rough, hairy. The plant was known and used by many Native American tribes. The Native Americans used the plant to wash sores and swellings, as a poultice for snake bites and for treating worms and colds in children. In 1918, the Black Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia Hirta was designated as the Floral Emblem of the State of Maryland. Each year this flower has its moment of glory when a huge drape made of

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  • Bells of Ireland

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Bells of Ireland - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Bells of Ireland belong to a curious genus containing only 4 species of erect, branching plants that are indigenous to the Mediterranean and Northwest India. Their Latin name Molucella Lamiaceae is a reference to the Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia where they were mistakenly thought to have originated. The plants were introduced into Europe in 1570 from Syria. There is evidence that they were first cultivated in Belgium and used in perfume making. The plant has never enjoyed widespread popularity in the United States and is still regarded by many as a garden curiosity. Little is known about when or how the plant made its way to the Americas, but in all probability, it was introduced

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  • Balsam

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Balsam - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Balsams belong to an important family of plants which include the popular bedding plant, Impatiens. The plant is a native of Asia, but had been introduced into Europe by the mid-1500's and was being grown in Great Britain by the late 1500's. By the late 1700's, they had been introduced into the US. Joseph Breck, in his 1851 book, The Flower Garden, notes that the plant was also known as "Touch-me-not". He wrote, "The Double Balsam is one of the most prominent ornaments of the garden, in July and August. Old seed is considered by some to be the best, as more likely to produce double flowers. The seeds should be saved from double flowering plants only; all single

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  • Bachelor’s Button

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Bachelor's Button -  A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Bachelor's Buttons, also known as Cornflowers, are the bluest of all the flowers in the garden and blue is the rarest of the colors offered in nature. The plants are native to Europe and Asia. Tutankhamen, the Egyptian boy king, was buried with a wreath around his head of cornflowers, olive leaves and water lily petals. Centuries ago they were so abundant in Europe that entire fields were covered with the flowers. The Latin name, Centaurea Cyanus, refers to the mythical centaur, Chiron. Legend has it that Chiron, the half man-half horse creature, used cornflowers to heal himself after he was wounded by a poisoned arrow in a battle with the mythical Hydra. Throughout the centuries, the

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  • Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Baby's Breath - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Gypsophila which is known in the US as Baby's Breath and in Great Britain as Soapwort is a vigorous perennial which was originally native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. The plant was introduced into the United States in 1828 when many plants admired by the Victorian gardeners of Great Britain made their way into the gardens of the United States. Gardeners and garden writers immediately fell in love with the plant. It was described as a "...plant of great daintiness, both in foliage and flowers..." and "Useful for mist-like effects in mixed borders and container..." Baby's Breath was a staple of the Victorian Cottage Garden because of its light lacy floral canopy and its value as a

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  • Aster

    Mar 01, 2016 Categories: Growing Instructions

    Aster - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Asters are native to many parts of the world especially the New World. They have been a cottage garden favorite for centuries because of their incredible colors and late summer and fall blooms. Thomas Jefferson loved the China aster varieties and cultivated many of them at Monticello. Breck noted in his 1851 book, The Flower Garden, that the original China Aster was known as The Double China Aster. According to Breck, within a few years, because of work by German florists, and others, the Double China Aster had been so improved "so that it is hardly to be recognized as the same flower as the old China Aster...". Aster Crego, a China aster, a hardy annual, was introduced in

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