Everlasting flowers pictures.

Everlasting Flower

• Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster family).
• Native to Australia.
• Common related species include chrysanthemum, marigold, zinnia, dandelion and lettuce.

 Personality:

• Flowers have papery, stiff petals and each stem bears one to many flowers.
• Stems to three feet. However, there are dwarf forms that can be used in border plantings, some are trying them as potted plants.
• Flowers are not fragrant.

 Availability: Summer-fall. 

 Tidbits:

• From the Greek "helios" (the sun) and "chryson" (golden). The specific epithet bracteatum is in reference to the much reduced leaves (bracts) associated with the flowers.
• The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal.

 

• Two common names for Helichrysum are Everlasting and Immortelle in reference to the flowers lasting almost forever when dried.
• Most commonly used as dried flowers. Stems are often replaced by wire, as stems do not last nearly as long as the flowers. Or, leaves must be stripped from stems (to reduce rotting) if the stems are to remain.

Flower Color: White, yellow, orange, brown, pink, violet, red and many combinations thereof. Storage Specifics: 34-38F.

Laurel flowers pictures.

 Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is the official Pennsylvania State Flower. The Mountain Laurel is perhaps the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Mountain Laurel, a wild flower, is also the state flower of Connecticut. The Mountain Laurel plant was originally brought to Europe as an ornamental plant during the 18TH century. Mountain Laurel is widely grown for its attractive flowers.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Ericales

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Kalmia

Species

latifolia

 Laurel flowers � occasionally referred to as mountain laurels � are a single species in the kalmia genus, which is a member of the ericaceae family. Although many people think of the lauraceae family when they think of laurels, this family�s flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, and tend to blend in with the rest of the plant. On the other hand, mountain laurels are slightly larger � growing roughly one inch across � and come in a very clear shade of snowy white with dark pink accents, or a simple shade of light pink. These blossoms are native to areas of the eastern United States, and burst forth from evergreen shrubs.

 Modern gardeners are not the only ones to confuse laurel flowers with lauraceae family plants. Because of the appearance of the leaves � which are superficially similar to those of laurus nobilis, or bay leaves � Europeans, who came upon this plant in the New World, began calling them laurel shrubs. Their scientific name, however, differentiated these two families. Although their first recorded piece of history came about in 1624, they were not given a proper scientific name until some time during the 18TH century, when Pehr Kalm sent samples of the plant to the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus. 

 The wood of these plants were once used by Native Americans to create makeshift utensils; while early settlers once used the wood to create arbors for clockworks. Though these plants are considered quite toxic, especially to small animals, many people still note their strong medicinal properties � albeit less frequently in more modern times. They are best known as being a powerful analgesic and antiseptic, and are frequently used to treat a variety of skin conditions, scratches and cuts. They are also used to help in easing arthritis, ridding the system of parasites, and relieving the sound of ringing in the ears.

Laurel flowers are thought to represent ambition, as well as success and renown. As a gift, these blossoms are most commonly given to those heading into new phases of their life � starting a new job, going to school, even getting married or having children. They are meant to represent a wish for the recipient to have all of the success in the world, or to continue to push on with their lofty ambitions, despite any roadblocks they may come across.

Globe flowers pictures.

white globe flower.

   blossoms with perfectly round flower heads atop ribbed stems. Plants grow two to five feet tall and almost as wide. The spiny-edged leaves are white and woolly underneath.

 Globe thistles require full sun for strong growth but are not fussy about soil. Once established, they are very drought-resistant. Protect plants from aphids, and stake them if necessary.

 The larger species are impressive when used in background plantings or when grown as specimen plants. The smaller types are attractive in a bed, border, or wild garden.

purple globe flower.