Snow drop flowers pictures.

 The snowdrop flower � or galanthus � is often described as having the appearance of three drops of milk spilling forth from a bright green stem. Snowdrops are a genus of about 20 species, and come from the amaryllidaceae family. Unlike many other flowers � which are generous with their color variations � snowdrop flowers only come in a sophisticated, creamy white hue. Another thing that makes these flowers so unique is that they may sometimes flower early, often poking through layers of snow. Because of their simplicity and lack of major variation, there are really only two species that are regularly cultivated. These are galanthus elwesii, or the giant snowdrop, and galanthus nivalis, or the common snowdrop.

 The snowdrop flower � which is well loved not only for its simple beauty, but for its distinct, honey-like scent � has a surprisingly varied history in both ancient folklore and more modern storytelling. Snowdrops have been used as inspiration for stories like Hans Christian Andersen�s �The Snowdrop,� which describes the flower as being the first to arrive in spring. Another such story appears in Lenore E. Mulets� book �Flower Stories.� In this book a whole chapter is dedicated to describing the flower and its growth in a charming, fairytale-like narrative. In myth, the snowdrop flower has a slightly more foreboding tale to tell. Due to their low growing patterns and the fact that they were regularly seen springing up in cemeteries, many Victorians felt that these flowers were representative of death.

 In fact, many people felt it was bad luck to bring them into the homes of those who were ill, as they were considered bad luck. On a more positive note, the snowdrop flower also appears in biblical stories. One such being that of the snowdrop bursting forth to comfort Adam and Eve after they were cast out of the Garden of Eden.

 Although snowdrop flowers were once considered a bad omen, today they are thought to be a simple, delicate symbol of hope, purity and consolation. As gifts, these flowers are given for a variety of reasons. They may be a simple expression of sympathy, or an elegant symbol of optimism and virtue which can be presented to a bride or wedding party. Sometimes, though, these flowers are given solely for their lovely appearance, and may be presented alongside more colorful blossoms in a large arrangement or small bouquet. They may also be given as potted flowers, or even pressed plants.

Snowdrop plant looks like three drops of milk hanging from a stem. This accounts for the Latin name Galanthus which means milk-white flowers. These Snowdrop bulbs, are originally from Europe and Asia Minor.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Liliopsida

Order

Asparagales

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Genus

Galanthus

Snowdrops are the early spring flowering bulbs. Two or three straplike leaves, dark green in color, grow from each bulb. The white flowers are usually borne singly, mostly in early spring but sometimes in mid to late winter, which makes them the earliest flowering bulb. The three inner petals have green tips and overlap the outer petals to form a tube.

Oleander flowers pictures.

Oleander flower meaning.              Oleander - Caution; beware The oleander (Nerium oleander, Oleander also called) is a shrub of the Dogbane family originally from the southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

 It is a shrub about 2 m high with white flowers, yellow, red or salmon bloom from July to September.

 It is often ranks in the list of plants called orangery (jasmine, bougainvillea, fig, citrus ...) that are grown on the veranda with the exception of countries bordering the Mediterranean.

 The oleander is one of the most dangerous plants whose parts are toxic (presence of cardiac glycosides). Ingestion of a single leaf can be fatal for an adult, because of heart problems often caused. The circumstances of poisoning are often accidents in children. It has even been used for suicide and abortion. In 1808, during the Spanish campaign, soldiers of Bonaparte roasted in a camp of lambs on spits of oleander, and died.

Some cultivars are resistant to cold hardiness zone ranging up to 8a (-9 � C to -12 � C). Its dark green foliage is long and persistent. The flowers are double or triple bloom in summer, from June to October.

Wisteria flowers pictures.

 This twining deciduous vine is awesome in springtime as it leafs out and flowers with large, drooping racemes (grape like clusters) of purple-blue, fragrant flowers. This tough woody vine often climbs high into tree canopy when grown in mild winter climates. It is stunning to see a wisteria draped from the limbs of a tall pine when in full bloom, a scene made more memorable by the blossoms' appealing fragrance. Leaves are compound and consist of 7 to 13 leaflets to about 3 in (7.6 cm) in length. The flowers are followed by attractive velvety pods 6 in (15.2 cm) in length. In winter, wisteria is a tangled mass of naked woody stems that may or may not be picturesque depending on culture and circumstance. Chinese wisteria is usually very long lived and trunks can become quite large and attractively gnarly with age.

 Chinese or sweet wisteria is native to China. It thrives so well in Florida it has earned a place on the state's invasive species list but is less aggressive in colder climates.

Wisteria is rampant; it can grow in full sun or heavy shade, in which case it will grow until it reaches a satisfactory level of light. It is not fussy about soil type or moisture, although its preference is a reasonably a moist, well drained, rich to average mix.

Wisteria is noted primarily for the beauty and perfume of its showy, deliciously fragrant flowers. Its rapid rate of growth makes it a good candidate when fast coverage is desirable.

 Light: Sun preferred.
Moisture: Average.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9.
Propagation: Cuttings, layers, grafts, seed. Easy to root by pulling the vine to the ground and placing a pile of earth over it.