Caring for Roses
By admin | September 5, 2008
Roses are some of the most beautiful flowers in existence. They are one of the most commonly grown flowers around the world because there are so many different varieties and they will grow in most climates around the world, needing no special heat or cold requirements to flower.
They are however not without problems. In order to grow roses first consider the location in the garden. Remember the colour of the rose and judge if it fits into the layout your garden. Just because the rose itself might be pretty does not mean you can just place it anywhere, it should still match your colour schemes. Consideration should also be given to the height of the surrounding plants, Roses can grow in numerous sizes from huge standards to dwarf to large hedges and overhangs.
Roses are a strong enough flower to hold there own needing nothing else to set them off. In the case of climbing roses ensure you have plenty of frames for them to grow on. In planting the rose ensure its in a place where it gets approximately 6 hours of unfiltered sunlight a day if you want it to thrive. Further plant it out with a Rose mix which can be brought in bags and are made to ensure the right combination of minerals to get the best out of your rose. Make sure to water them until they are established.
One of the greatest problems with Roses are that they attract Aphids. In fact a healthy bush seems to mean just a greater feast for these pests. A shop brought insecticide used as per instructions soon deals with these pests. If you want a more organic approach try a generous garlic spray.
Other problems can include scale, blackspot and fungus. Once again go to your shop or garden center, there are sprays particularly dedicated to these problems.
Apart from these on the whole Roses are easy to grow which is why they are so popular. They look beautiful and the colours go from bright reds to yellows, orange, apricot, pink, blue, brown and with selective breeding the numbers just keep growing.
After flowering season don’t forget to pune heavily. I don’t think one can over pune a rose. They just grow back with even more vigor the next season. In the case of grafted roses make sure you cut off any suckers from the root stock.
Roses are beautiful in the garden, but its hard to resist the temptation and cut some to bring inside. If you are going to do so, cut them just on the point of opening. If they are already open they won’t last long at all. To increase how long they last try putting them in Sprite (I know it sounds strange but give it a go).
For more on Roses visit http://caring-for-roses.blogspot.com
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Alastair HARRIS is the main promoter for article-gems.com article directory (visit http://www.article-gems.com) and the getfinancialfreedom4u family of websites, blogs and projects (visit http://getfinancialfreedom4u.ws) specializing in online business opportunities and education, income being generated by affiliate marketing, google, GDI, eBay, clip flipping and more. Alastair is rated as an expert author on numerous article directories and is very open to assisting others on the internet
Tags: caring for roses, flowers, gardening, growing roses, rose tip, rosesYour Cottage Garden
By admin | September 4, 2008
Cottage gardens exude charm and character, with an informal style, very unlike formal gardens with their immaculate lawns and regimented borders. The cottage garden style typically consists of lots of plants, heavy on the flowers, with paths meandering between. The plants are chosen to suit personal tastes with the emphases on the pleasure of growing plants and enjoying their color, fragrance and form. A medley of
colors and textures that is all crammed into the beds and borders.
Cottage gardens were originally constructed to utilize every bit of growing space for family needs. This meant, flowers, fruit, herbs and vegetables were packed together into even the smallest plots. One tip is to incorporate wildflowers and herbs as well as the more traditional cottage garden plants. Plant in clumps
with large blocks of color to introduce rich patters of color and movement. Also, don’t restrict yourself to planting tall plants in the back, with smaller ones in front. Mix some of the taller plants in amongst the middle planting area as well.
You should grow hollyhock beside walls and fences, plant climbers, such as clematis and roses, in amongst the hedges and trees, or up wall and fences. Annuals can fill in between gaps in the planting.
You will find many of the flowers that are featured in traditional cottage gardens are self-sowing, so leave
old flower spikes intact for self-seeding.
All gardens require care and attention and cottage gardens are no exception. You will need to do frequent deadheading in order to encourage a long season of blooming flowers. Divide and replant where appropriate depending on the plant, and, of course, the weeding necessary in any garden.
The first step in creating your cottage garden is to plan your layout. A classic cottage garden has a straight path to the front door, a simple fence and perhaps an arc over the gate, the path or doorway. A more modern design has a curving path. You will need to decide which path option works best for you.
A climbing rose or a wisteria would be a good choice to adorn the wall by and above the front door. The path should be edged with plants that will spill over and soften the edges. You should have a few evergreen shrubs, this will provide green all year and will provide a background to show off your flowers, as
well as contrast with autumn foliage and your spring bulbs. Also in winter, your evergreen shrubs will provide color and inject interest while the rest of your garden is dormant.
Adding a tree will give scale to your garden, and lift the eye over the flowers. Deciduous trees have more than one season of interest since they provide autumn color, also many of them have beautiful flowers and fruits. Also, the frameworks of the branches provide height in winter and will not block the winter sunlight in small plots. Deciduous flowering shrubs will provide spring and summer pleasure, and some will give you
autumn foliage and berries in the winter.
I believe one cannot have a cottage garden without roses. There are so many types available now, whether heritage roses or the modern roses bred for ease of maintenance and disease resistance, you have your colors and degree of work you wish to commit. There are wonderful climbers to adorn arches,
doorways, fences and pergolas. Work roses into your overall scheme, and let them play their part, and they will contribute beauty, scent and structure to your garden.
Add different climbers, such as roses, clematis and others to the same support, whether it is a tree, arbor or fence. It is a good space-saving technique that creates colorful features for months on end and adds height to the garden.
Your landscaping should include more than plants. Add seating areas and containers to help you enjoy your garden. They contrast well with the flow and look of your plants. Containers are also a convenient way to add lots of extra color around buildings, seats and benches. Containers can be anything, use your imagination, for example, objects such as old chimney pots, old watering cans, and bottomless metal buckets can be recycled to make authentic, aged features that will add color and character to your cottage garden.
Your cottage garden should be a color palate of your imagination, blending plants, objects and colors into
a whole that is uniquely you. Add and change it through the years and watch it evolve.
Theresa is an avid gardener. For more information on creating lush, vibrant gardens visit her sites at Rose Gardens, Lawn and Garden and Garden.
Tags: clematis, cottage garden, flowers, garden, gardening, herbs, roses, wildflowersChoosing a Suitable Floral Arrangement
By admin | September 1, 2008
Do you like fresh flowers? Nearly everyone does, except, perhaps, those who are allergic to plants. Dew-kissed roses, smiling sunflowers, and vibrant tulips are just some of the lovely blossoms that can adorn your home or office space or bring joy to those you care about. But do you know how to choose a florist and then select the proper arrangement for a given occasion?
First, look for a florist you can trust. There are fly-by-night shysters who will not hesitate to take advantage of unsuspecting customers by pretending to offer a beautiful bouquet, requesting credit card payment online or over the phone, and absconding with the money but not delivering the order. It is always a good idea to do business with a florist who is well known and respected in your community. Stop by the shop and check out the latest designs and arrangements to see if they appeal to your sensibilities. You will soon know whether you want to do business there or not. “Fresh, trusted, and delivered today” (FTD) is the motto of the organization that many florists belong to and offers some measure of security.
When you do find a florist whose artistry you admire, look through the catalogs or displays for an idea of the range and styles that are available. Find out if the florist is willing to work with you on special orders and arrangements. You may want to open an account so you can telephone orders later or send online orders on short notice. Developing a business partnership with your florist can facilitate transactions to create a proactive situation for everyone involved. Some florists will let you carry a balance from one month to the next as long as it doesn’t get too large or you don’t stop making payments.
Floral arrangements are useful for a number of situations. You can send a congratulatory gift to a coworker or friend for a promotion, retirement, or anniversary. Personal holidays and events like birthdays and moving to a new home are good reasons to send flowers. A fresh bouquet adds a pleasant touch to your boss’s desk, your pastor’s study, or your secretary’s office for calendar days celebrating these individuals and their jobs. Sometimes a planter or an attractive arrangement can express special sentiments like “I love you” or “I’m sorry” more effectively than words can.
Remember to give some thought to the vase or container you choose, along with the flowers. The vase should fit a designated space in the area it is intended to fill. Oversize or glass vases may present an occupational hazard for workplace deliveries. It’s also a good idea to make sure your intended recipient is not allergic to flowers before you send a large bouquet.
Flowers bring a touch of nature to our most civilized spaces. Their beauty and purity remind us of the natural simplicity that exists all around if we take time to notice and admire it. Visit your local florist soon to explore the many gift-giving options that exist in the world of fresh and silk flowers.
Choose from a bevy of floral topics when you visit Flower Lot at http://www.flowerlot.com.
Tags: bouquet, bouquets, decoration, floral arrangement, floral arrangements, florist, flowers