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The Top 3 Useful Bulb Planters to Choose

A bulb planter provides a foolproof method of planting your flower bulbs. You can choose from three different options: handheld, stand-up, or drill-powered depending on your needs. While it might not be necessary if you only plan on planting one or two bulbs, it can be a lifesaver if you want to plant a lot!

Flower bulbs are a favorite among many home gardeners as they are easy to manage and net some beautiful flowers come spring or summer. With that said, bulbs do require certain conditions to grow to their full potential such as well-draining soil, nutrients, and appropriate planting depth. In most conditions, you should bury the bulb around three times the width of the plant for best results. For drier and hotter climates, you should go a bit deeper to ensure the bulbs retain their moisture. In more compact soil, you can bury them about two times as deep.

While you can certainly use a shovel or spade to bury your bulbs, a more foolproof method is using a bulb planter. These handy garden tools can make the process faster and take out a lot of the guesswork.That means you can have a beautiful garden in just half the time.

Types of Bulb Planters

There are several types of bulb planters you can get depending on your needs. The cheapest and most common one is the handheld manual device. These have a depth measurement and will remove a certain amount of soil to the level where you should plant the bulb.

Other planters are a variation on the basic tool. Some will have a plunger that allows you to release the soils you cut into the hole on top of the bulb. Others will have longer handles allowing you to stand up instead of kneeling or stooping over your garden. If you have a lot of bulbs to plan, you can invest in a drill powered option. It looks similar to a hand-planter, but it comes with a drill attachment for your power drill. This works great for light and medium weight soils.

How to Use a Bulb Planter

Not everyone needs to use a bulb planter for their garden. In fact, if you’re just burying a handful, you can probably get away with the typical trowel and/or shovel option that you use for the rest of your garden. However, if you are planting dozens or hundreds of bulbs, a bulb planter is a great option as it can save you a lot of time and legwork. Just remember that most of these planters work best in light and/or medium soil and do not do well in clay. If you are dealing with clay soil, you should hand-till it and add some compost to increase drainage and add much needed nutrients to the ground.

Once you have your bulb planter, you can start using it. For the most part, they are fairly intuitive to use, but usage will change based on the type of bulb planter you use:

Handheld bulb planters - these are fairly self-explanatory. Basically, press the bulb planter straight down into the soil at the depth needed. Twist the planter in either direction and then lift it up from the soil. You should see a plug inside the planter. Place your bulb into the hole root side down and release the dirt trapped in the planter over the bulb.
Long-handled bulb planters - unlike the handheld planter, the long-handled bulb planters will also deposit the bulb into the soil. Of course, first you have to put the bulb into the center, bottom reservoir of the bulb planter. After that, set the drive the planter into the ground and step on the hinges to push it further down. Once you’ve gone deep enough, place one hand on each handle and pull it apart. Pull the planter up and out of the hole. This will also deposit the bulb into the soil.
Drill-operated bulb planter - Before you start drilling the soil, check your power drill to see if it’s powerful enough. You want a 3 amp or larger drill that has a ¾ inch chuck. Also, make sure your battery is fully charged! Once you’ve done all that, attach the bulb planter to the chuck and make sure that it’s fitted properly. Press the end of the bulb planter lightly into the soil and then start the drill slowly at first. As the bulb planter enters the soil, you can increase the drill speed. Once you’ve reached the desired depth, release the drill and pull up the drill and planter out of the hold. Plant the bulb and then cover.

When using the power drill, make sure to wear safety glasses to prevent small rocks and dirt from going into your eyes. As well, if you do not have a cordless power drill, do not operate it in rainy conditions or near standing water as you can electrocute yourself this way.

Conclusion

While the tools might look slightly different, they essentially all remove a small plug of soil so that you can then place the bulb at the appropriate depth. After that, you’ll release the soil in the tool either from a plunger or covering the hole manually. Whichever tool you use, you’ll definitely save yourself a lot of time and back pain especially if you plan on planting a lot of bulbs.

Choose a Stylish Container: Types and How to Use Properly

When it comes to container gardening there are so many types of pots to choose from, it can be overwhelming. In this informative guide, we delve into the different types of containers and explain how you can use them properly.

Have you ever gone to the garden store and just been overwhelmed by the number of plant containers available? If so, you aren’t alone. With so many sizes, styles, materials and prices, it might seem impossible to make a decision. Many gardeners will use all sorts of containers for their plants, from old pots and pans to galvanized buckets from the hardware store. Feeling like you don’t know where to start? Read on for everything you need to know about the most common types of containers you’ll find at the store and how to properly use them.

Plastic

You’ve likely seen tons of brightly colored plastic pots as you walk the aisle. Not only is this type of container easily available, they are usually pretty reasonably priced. As an added benefit they are also lightweight, making your life a little easier if you have to bring your plants inside on a cold night or when winter sets in. As a downside, these just aren’t as durable as some other types of containers. You will find them in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Terracotta

Chances are you are familiar with the rusty orange terracotta, or clay, plots that gardeners have been using for generations. These traditional containers are very popular pots and have a neutral color that compliments most plants. The price tag on these containers can be from the inexpensive to high priced based on the size and the brand. While some of the higher end versions are pretty durable, terracotta is known to be very brittle and easily broken as weather changes, the more inexpensive pots become even more fragile, often flaking away. These pots are porous and allow air to travel through them more easily, but this means the soil dries out more quickly and you will likely have to water the plants more frequently. Drought tolerant plants such as succulents work well in these pots.

Ceramic or Glazed

Ceramic or glazed containers have probably caught your eye in the store. They look very stylish, coming in different shapes and colors, but they do come with some issues. These containers can be really heavy and then nearly impossible to move once you add your soil and plants. Now this might be a benefit if you are placing the pot in an area that gets very strong winds or if you have a top heavy plant. With the heft of the container, it likely won’t tip over. These extra sturdy containers usually come with the highest price tag of all.

Concrete

Concrete containers are an attractive option for many gardeners. They are long lasting and very durable. Additionally, the concrete is a good insulator, keeping root temperatures steady, when the weather is not. If you are considering a concrete container, don’t plan on moving it often, if at all, especially if it is large. These hit the high end of the weight scale and adding dirt only increases the weight. Gardeners who want to add these to their balcony, should look at the structure before purchasing. If your structure doesn’t have adequate support, you could do a lot of damage and things can get dangerous.

Wood

Wooden containers are another great option for your plants. They look great on a deck or patio and are slow to dry out. They also can be left out in the colder weather and don’t crack. The main drawback for these types of planters is that they have a danger of rotting. To minimize the risk of this, consider installing a plastic liner inside, with some holes for drainage.

Other Options

When it comes to containers for your plants, the options are really endless. You can use old pots and pans, mason jars, metal cans, or even galvanized buckets from the hardware store. This can be a cost effective way to find containers for your garden, and it is a chance to show off your personality. If you are converting something into a plant container, you will need to consider drainage. Your plants need a well drained container to avoid over watering. If possible, drill or punch holes in the bottom of your container. But that isn’t always possible. We recommend not planting in containers without holes, unless you have a little experience and know exactly what the growth requirements are for the specific plant. If you still want to use the container, you can always use it as a decorative outer pot, often referred to as cachepot. The plant is actually sitting in a slightly smaller, removable inner pot that does offer drainage.

Using Your Container

Now that you know your options, the next thing you need to think about is how you are going to use your container. This means you need to think about what you are going to put in it and so much more.

The number of plants you want to add to the container really will help you determine the size you need. You don’t want to plant too much in a container or else nothing will grow that well as the plants will all be fighting for root space and resources. You might think the pot looks a little empty when you first plant in the spring, but don’t worry, they will grow and fill out the entire space. A good rule of thumb is to pick a pot that is at least one or two inches larger than size of the plant you are putting in the container.

When you select a pot make sure it allows for proper drainage. Plants don’t like to sit in water and besides that, too much water will cause mold to grow on the roots.

Choosing a container doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. With so many options you, you can find something that works for your garden plan, your decor and your personality.

Zodiac Flowers: Leo

Leo’s birth flowers are bold, bright and happy. The four birth flowers for Leo are marigold for passion, sunflower for loyalty, dahlia for dignity and safflower for magnetism. Find out how to grow these beauties in your garden.

Born between July 23 and August 22? Then you’re a Leo! Leo is represented by — you guessed it — the lion. And if you guessed that, you probably can also guess that it’s ruled by the sun and the lion’s element is fire.

You were born to be an outstanding leader. Because you see your teammates with the same confident lens that you see yourself, you encourage and inspire them to greater heights. When you take on a project, you dedicate yourself to it with a passion. Because you project such radiant confidence in yourself, others don’t see your vulnerabilities and insecurities, that you too need a hug and reassurance.

If you take your natural leadership and confidence too far, you dominate a group, refusing to admit that you were wrong. Instead, listen to others and allow yourself to be a little vulnerable. Your birth flowers are as strong and radiant as you are!

Your birth flowers are as strong and radiant as you are! Here are 4 Leo birth flowers and their meanings.

Marigold for Passion

Marigold is called the “herb of the sun”, as it is like a little yellow, orange, or red ball of petals that opens when the sun rises.

Marigolds represent powerful passion, especially orange marigolds, a quality that you, as a Leo, are quite familiar with. They also represent the creativity that you bring to a project.

Yellow marigolds represent positive energy and emotions like warmth, happiness, and joy. They look like little suns. When you lead a team, you bring that energy to your teammates. At your best, you help them see themselves the way you see them — competent and brilliant in their unique way.

Outside of their beauty, gardeners plant marigolds as companion plants to repel pests like aphids, flea beetles, and nematodes. If you keep deadheading (removing dead flowers), marigolds will continue to flower until the first frost.

As a cut flower, pair marigolds with other boldly coloured flowers like pink roses. You can also sew marigold blossoms together to make a garland.

Sunflower for Loyalty

Like marigolds, sunflowers are also a symbol of the sun. It does rather look like how you’d draw a sun symbol, with a circle surrounded by flames, and a sunflower turns its head toward the sun. The yellow colour symbolises vitality, intelligence, and happiness. Just looking at one boosts your spirits.

Sunflowers can also symbolize loyalty, longevity, and adoration. Loyalty is a big part of your leadership, and because of your loyalty and confidence in your teammates, your team is equally loyal to you.

Sunflowers are super easy to grow. Because they’re native to North America, they can adapt to most locations. If you have a large garden, go for the giant sunflowers towering over 6 feet tall. If you have a small garden or a container garden, pick a dwarf-sized variety.

They can also be really easy to arrange in a bouquet. Choose a large, tall vase with a smaller opening. Otherwise, these giant flowers will topple the vase. Cut the sunflowers to different heights to create an appealing sense of movement.

Dahlia for Dignity

Dahlias are another big and bold flower that stands out from the crowd, but also works well with other flowers. Likewise, while Leos like to be found in the centre of attention, that doesn’t mean they like to upstage others or push them out of the spotlight. Their plethora of petals comes together to create stunning patterns, just as you pull people toward you to a common goal.

While sunflowers and marigolds are all about the cheer Leos bring, dahlias represent their elegance, inner strength, and dignity. You take centre stage because you’re confident in your abilities, not because you’re a class clown.

To grow dahlias in your garden, plant tubers in the late spring once the cold has passed. They’re pretty sensitive to the cold. If you live in a cold zone, dig up the tubers in the autumn and store them during the winter. They blossom over your birthday from mid-summer into the autumn.

Dahlias are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers, and as a bonus, when you cut dahlias for bouquets, the dahlia plant produces more flowers! Dahlias are a versatile cut flower. Place a single bloom in a bubble vase, arrange an all-dahlia bouquet, or pair them with other blossoms of varying sizes.

Safflower for Magnetism

Safflowers aren’t the brightest or boldest of flowers. In fact, they’re quite prickly looking, resembling a thistle more than anything else. Leos are bold and confident, which can come off to others as arrogant and intimidating (not all signs are born with such confidence, Leos!). Your confident exterior hides your insecurities. If you need reassurance, you need to be open or even your closest companions may miss your needs.

On the flip side, safflowers are thought to represent attractiveness to others because of its sticky webbing. When you’re at your best, listening to others, revealing your vulnerabilities to others, and being loyal, people flock from all around to join you.

To grow this prickly-looking but utterly delicious flower, sow seeds after the last frost. They’re pretty heat-tolerant, requiring only occasional waterings to survive, although regular waterings will help them thrive. Avoid watering too heavily though. They like dry, quick-draining soil.

Safflowers add an unusual flair and fullness to a bouquet, and work well in everything from formal arrangements to old-fashioned bouquets.

Leos, celebrate your zodiac sign by planting marigolds, sunflowers, dahlias, and safflowers for the cheeriest cut flower garden on your block. Non-Leos, celebrate your favourite Leo team leader and friend with a bouquet of their zodiac birth flowers.

Create Your Own Indoor Jungle Step by Step

Does the idea of living in a jungle excite you? If so, you will be pleased to learn that you can create one in your home. Just follow the steps in this article, and soon you will have your own indoor jungle to enjoy.

What is more exciting than the idea of exploring a lush jungle landscape? Now imagine that jungle exists in your own home! While this may seem too good to be true, creating your own indoor jungle is much easier than you think. In this article, we’ll teach you what you need to know to pull off this impressive look. Read on to learn about some of the design principles you should follow as well as a few ideal plants you should use.

Types of Jungle Plants

A jungle can look like a chaotic mix of wild plants, but you might be surprised to find that these plants all exist within a few specific categories. Each one makes a different contribution to what a jungle looks and feels like. Of course, you won’t be able to make a full-sized jungle in your home. But what you can do is create a miniature version of a jungle that includes all of the core components. To do that, you’ll need to find plants that can fall into these four groups.

Canopy Plants

Canopy trees are the tallest plants in the jungle. They grow to extreme heights and cast shade on the jungle floor below. In a true jungle, the shade that the canopy casts plays a key role in establishing the conditions in which the plants below will live. Canopy plants are also home to many jungle animals. The best way you can recreate this effect indoors is by including some trees that will grow indoors. There are numerous species that meet that definition, and many are dwarf varieties that will remain small enough to fit in your living room. Here are a few of the best indoor trees to add to your indoor jungle:

Understory Plants

Canopy trees are the top level of the jungle, and the next level down is the understory. Understory trees are a bit smaller and often thrive in the filtered light that the canopy provides. In a jungle, these plants may take the form of a small tree or a large shrub. They also add intriguing layers to the jungle that contribute to the sense of mystery that these landscapes invoke. Without a healthy understory, your indoor jungle will be incomplete. Here are some of the plant varieties that you should consider using:

Ground-Level Plants

At the lowest level of the jungle, you will find plants that are small and grow just above the ground. While these plants may not stand out as much as the taller trees, they still add a degree of depth to your indoor jungle. Ground-level plants also add additional greenery and interesting textures to your planting scheme. For those reasons and more, you should not neglect these smaller plant species in your indoor jungle:

Vines and Hanging Plants

The three categories of plants that we have already covered will get you very close to your goal of creating an indoor jungle. But there is one variety of plants that we are still missing. When most of us envision a jungle, our imagination includes vines that drape themselves along the branches of larger trees. These vines add to the wildness of the jungle and are a set of plants that you should grow in your indoor jungle as well. But rather than having your vines grow on another plant, it is best for you to set up a few hanging pots throughout your indoor jungle. Here are some of the species that you can use to fill those hanging containers:

Pothos
English ivy
Wandering Jew
Creeping fig
Heartleaf philodendron
Peperomia
Arrowhead plant

Tips for Your Indoor Jungle

Now that you have a great understanding of the plants that you should include in your indoor jungle, it’s time to add to that knowledge with a few helpful tips. After all, an indoor jungle is a place like no other, and as such, it calls for some special treatment. Continue on to learn what you should do to ensure your indoor jungle is a success.

Humidity for Jungle Plants

Jungles are notoriously humid places. With that in mind, it is no surprise to learn that many of the plants that grow there require plenty of moisture in the air. In an indoor setting, that moisture can be difficult to recreate. And if the air in your home is too dry, you may find that many of your jungle plants are failing. One of the best ways to avoid this is to use a spray bottle. Begin by identifying the plant species that have the greatest need for air moisture, then mist them regularly to keep them healthy and recreate the humidity they love.

Sunlight Needs for Jungle Plants

Sunlight is a prerequisite for anyone who wishes to grow an indoor jungle. The lack of sunlight in indoor spaces is a challenge to anyone who wishes to grow plants inside. However, this issue is especially important for many jungle plant species. Determine which areas of your home receive the most sunlight. Then, you should situate your indoor jungle plants so that they get as much of that light as possible. If you can’t provide enough natural sunlight, hope is not lost. You can choose to use an indoor grow light instead.

Find Attractive Containers

Our last tip to help your indoor jungle look its best is to be highly selective with the containers you use. Plants that grow indoors still need soil to survive. A great container is essentially the only way to give your plants a place to live. Choose containers that are lovely to look at and that complement your existing interior design. The right set of containers can be extremely useful in putting the finishing touches on your indoor jungle design.

An Introduction to Hampton Court Garden Festival

Each year, tens of thousands of people flock to Hampton Court Palace for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Flower Show. This famous event inspires, educates and entertains professional and amateur gardeners with the most cutting-edge and remarkable designs and displays.

Big and Beautiful

Since 1990, the ever-expanding Hampton Court Garden Festival has been a bright spot in the British outdoor event calendar. This Royal Horticultural Society flower and garden show is the largest in the world, covering 34 acres of land. It is held in the scenic gardens of Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, Surrey, a stunning location built in the early 1500s for Henry VIII. The Palace sits on the River Thames in the south of London and provides a dramatic backdrop for the Festival. Each year, for six days in July, tens of thousands of people flock to the Festival.

A Focus On Food

While some shows are concerned with display gardens, nostalgic presentations or competitions, the Hampton Court Garden Festival focuses on more practical topics. Food, growing vegetables and sustainability are common themes. Talks by chefs help people get ideas about what kind of produce to grow, how to cook with it, and how to think creatively about seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs. That’s likely to be a strong theme of the coming year’s festival, since so many people have been spending more time at home and in their garden than usual. Regardless of the size of people’s homes, everyone can learn to grow some herbs on the kitchen counter, or turn their balcony into a little oasis of calm. The Festival helps people understand how to live in harmony with plants and their gardens.

There is often an environmental education theme, and people can attend talks and demonstrations about important ecological issues. Making your garden attractive to pollinators is always a popular question amongst gardeners, and bee- and bird-friendly gardening advice is in good supply. Display gardens are frequently themed around practical considerations for home gardeners. And of course, attendees can purchase plants, flowers, useful tools and other gardening products.

Celebrating Everything That Grows

With live music, fireworks and entertainment, there is truly an air of celebration about all things gardening! This event has a festival atmosphere and is unlike many other shows. One stand-out element is the Festival of Roses, where attendees can wander through a dazzling array of different rose cultivars. In 2019, the Festival of Roses also included a tea room, where tired and thirsty people could sit and enjoy tea and cake surrounded by perfect flowers of every color imaginable.

The fun environment is one reason why this show is so popular. Of course, gardeners love to get together and see what’s new and interesting. But this is a gardening and flower show that anyone can enjoy.

The promotional material for the Festival indicates that they are trying to make it an exciting and stimulating day out for anyone. That’s easy to do when the location is so beautiful, and when there are so many visually delightful displays. Take, for instance, the Floral Marquee. With over 100 exhibitors, gardeners can view and purchase new plants and flowers, and get advice from the experts on site. But anyone walking into the giant tent couldn’t help but be impressed by all the beauty on display. From flowers to succulents, grasses to ferns, everything is available to admire and discuss. And who knows – perhaps a potential gardener might be tempted to buy something, and start their very own gardening journey.

The Royal Horticultural Society tries very hard to make the show accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge. That’s why they have a Gardening Advice team available, to answer questions and give specialized help and information.

Changing With the Times

One unique feature of the Hampton Court Garden Festival is how quickly the show responds to trends and public interests. Visitors and reviewers comment that unlike the much more traditional Chelsea Flower Show, which prizes expertise and heritage, the Festival showcases bold and brilliant new ideas more readily. People seem to respond to the approachable combination of advice, demonstrations and practical solutions for their own gardens. Indeed, in 2019 the name of the show was changed from the Hampton Court Flower Show. The Royal Horticultural Society said that the name better reflected people’s experiences of the event.

After cancellation in 2020, the first in the show’s thirty-year history, the 2021 show will return in July as usual. There’ll be a lot of people very excited to come back to the beautiful Hampton Court Palace and join with others in this colossal celebration of plants and flowers.

Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement

Ikebana has been practiced since the sixth century. It’s the classic art of Japanese flower arranging and encompasses a simplistic form of shape and style. Find out all about this Japanese art form, its history and how it is used today.

Ikebana, or the fine art of Japanese flower arrangement, has roots in ancient Japanese culture and Buddhist customs. Ikebana is enveloped in tradition, with indications of Ikebana being practiced as early as the sixth century. This art form has been passed down through Japanese society for centuries and has seen many resurgences and revivals in both Japan and in Western culture. Below, we have outlined the history, cultural traditions, and artistic principles of Ikebana that remain popular around the world today.

A Brief History of Ikebana

To someone who has not heard of or studied Ikebana, the practice can simply appear as an aesthetically pleasing way of presenting floral arrangements. Instead, Ikebana is a centuries-old and sophisticated art form that invites both the curator and the observer to view the world and its natural beauty through a gracefully cultivated lens.

Ikebana, also known as kadō, is a traditional Japanese art form centering around the arrangement of flowers in a vase. Ikebana arrangements vary in style and can feature elongated, extraordinarily curved lines or more simplistic, natural presentations.

The practice of floral arrangement was introduced by Buddhists from China and India some time in the sixth century. Flowers were originally left as offerings at Buddhist temples and did not carry a deeper meaning behind their design.

By the fourteenth century, the practice of floral arrangement began to adopt deeper symbolism and principles that guided the construction of its simple yet exquisite designs. Ikebana was heavily influenced by cha-no-yu (the traditional Japanese tea ceremony) and combines the ancient styles of rikka and nageirebana, two different schools of thought for floral design.

Rikka floral arrangements were stiff and more formal in style, whereas Nageirebana offered a simpler, more natural design with freedom of line. Two of the most important Ikebana principles emerged during mid to late 15th century. The first instructed that floral arrangements were to represent the great care and intentionality that went into their design. The second rule designated that floral designs were to reflect ‘heaven, humans, and earth’. Both of these principles are still in effect today.

From its inception, Ikebana has always been considered an aristocratic art form practiced by upper class Japanese men and women alike. Notably, all of Japan’s most celebrated generals practiced flower arranging to calm and clear their minds.

By the 19th century the art form was practiced almost exclusively by women. The first original practice of Ikebana was restricted to Buddhist priests and members of the Buddhist community. However, under the dual influence of Buddhism and Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, the Japanese derivation of Ikebana began to take shape and eventually evolved into a widely practiced secular Japanese custom.

The practice of Ikebana today carries with it centuries of Japanese heritage and tradition, retaining its roots as a way of harmonizing and honoring the connection between people and the natural world.

Principles of Ikebana

The principles and traditions of Ikebana combine aesthetic preferences with philosophical ideology. More specifically, Ikebana invites individuals to immerse themselves in nature and consider the deeply interconnected relationship between human beings and the natural world around them.

Ikebana dictates that floral arrangements should represent time and thought, meaning that the flowers should be thoughtfully chosen and arranged with great care. Historically, Ikebana designs were intended to reflect the three main elements: heaven, humans, and earth. These three symbolic elements are often realized through three different heights often seen in Ikebana designs.

The oldest published Ikebana manual, called the Sendenshō, was published during the 17th century. This instructive text outlines rules and principles of Ikebana with illustrations. There are many schools of Ikebana that vary in style and theory that are most often passed down within families from one generation to the next. While each school applies its own unique styles and techniques, many of the foundational principles in each school are the same.

First, Ikebana is a minimalist art form, intentionally creating empty space and focusing on the beauty of very few and simple but exquisite elements. Asymmetrical designs that feature complementary elements are preferred, as they are intentionally chosen to represent emotion or philosophical ideas, such as the three main elements mentioned earlier. The vase an artist chooses is also very important and plays a part in your design’s artistic expression.

Modern Ikebana

Like other art forms, Ikebana has evolved over time as cultures change and reshape themselves due to external influences. Many Ikebana artists today allow their creativity to surpass the traditional rules that have dictated Ikebana over the last few hundred years, preferring to draw inspiration from identity and the world around them. Some artists intentionally include flawed materials or unexpected vase choices to emphasize an idea or an intended emotion. However, the message at the heart of Ikebana endures as an acknowledgement of the duality of nature as both a fleeting moment in time and a constant, ever-present cycle.

Zodiac Flowers: Cancer

Being a Cancer means that you love your home. Follow our easy guide and consider growing these four birth flowers in your garden!

Born between June 21 and July 22? You’re a Cancer! The 4th sign of the zodiac begins on the Summer Solstice, and is ruled by the moon and water. Nothing can grow without water. It’s tangible and yet fluid and adaptable, coming together and pulling apart.

Cancer is all about the home. You love putting down roots, and you take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. You lean more towards contemplation and inner awareness, empathising well with other people while also protecting yourself and loved ones. Once you open up, people feel like they can confide in you about anything. Without grounding, though, you become fearful and reclusive or absorb toxic emotions from the world around you.

Here are 4 Cancer birth flowers and their meanings!

White Rose for Homemaking

Like Cancers, white roses are delicate and universally adored. Being delicate is not a bad thing! The white rose is even more beautiful for its delicate white petals. Your delicateness comes from your empathy and it’s this quality that draws people to you and makes them feel comfortable.

White roses are also associated with marriages and new beginnings, the start of a new home and a new or burgeoning family. Like being delicate, homemaking has become maligned in popular culture, but it’s a valuable vocation. You build a safe space for your loved ones to thrive (and yourself, don’t forget that you need cherishing too). White roses are also the sort of gift that says “I’m thinking of you”, especially after a loss, the kind of thoughtful gesture you’re well known for.

Roses may be delicate, but they’re a lot easier to grow than people think. (Unless you want to compete in floral shows, but as a Cancer, you’re probably more happy to create a cosy garden for your family). Snowdrift is a hardy, easy to grow rose with classic, fragrant rose blossoms.

As a bouquet, you can have just white roses with baby’s breath for contrast, or mix with other roses.

Water Lily for Introspection

Water lilies are sometimes mistaken as lotuses, although they’re actually two different species, but they both have similar meanings. After a water lily flower is pollinated, the flower recedes beneath the water where seeds form. The seeds float to the surface to drift to their new home. Like water lilies, Cancers often need to retreat into the comfort of their homes to restore their energies before pushing back out into the world with fresh energy.

Water is also often a symbol of going deeply within oneself, going below the surface waves into the steadier water. As a Cancer, you may be very familiar with this meditation imagery!

Like you create a comfortable home for your family, water lilies shade and cool the water for the fish and frogs living in the pond. They also deter algae from growing, helping turn a murky pond into an inviting place.

A pond is an ideal place to grow water lilies, but you can also grow them in stock tanks or tubs on your patio. They may seem difficult to grow, but they’re actually quite dependable and easy to plant. (Kind of like a Cancer, right?)

Geranium for Housewarming

Because geraniums grow throughout the world, the geranium has different meanings, but are usually associated with positive and protective emotions (except for Victorians, but let’s forget about them). They share these traits with Cancer.

We often give geraniums as housewarming presents to delight and cheer up the new residents all year long. They’re also used in botanical remedies for healing.

As for colours, red geraniums are protective flowers. In folklore, people planted them next to the door to warn of approaching strangers. They also symbolize good health. White geraniums were believed to repel snakes.

To add cheer to your home, plant geraniums in garden beds, window boxes or containers. Geraniums encompass many unique varieties, so find the one that appeals most to you.

Morning Glories for Holding On

Because morning glory flowers bloom and die on the same day, they represent mortality and the finiteness of life, which, if you’re a Cancer, you’ve probably done some thinking about. But despite the finiteness of life, the morning glory keeps climbing its trellis, keeps blossoming, day after day throughout the whole growing season. Just as you keep growing.

Once you love, dear Cancers, you hold on to them, like the morning glory climbs and reaches across open spaces. And like Cancers firmly root in their homes, morning glories also firmly root where they grow. If you try to remove one, they can regrow from any section of their root left behind.

If you plan to bring morning glories into your garden, plant them in containers as they can spread quite fast, suffocating other plants, and they’re difficult to remove (which is a growing note, not a reflection on you!).

Since the blooms have such a short lifespan, cut them and enjoy them in a bouquet on that same day. Keep as much of the stem as possible so the morning glory doesn’t sink as they sit in a vase.

Not a fan of these four choices? You’re in luck. White flowers of any species can also represent Cancer.

Flower of the Week: Mimosa Tree

Flower of the Week:

Mimosa Tree

The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is a small deciduous tree that originated in Asia. It is distributed in a large area spanning from Iran and Azerbaijan in the west to China and Korea in the east. The trees were introduced to America in 1745 as ornamental plants, and soon found a home in the American South.

The mimosa tree is an ornamental plant with obvious pros and cons. It can tolerate barren soils, has unique and pretty flowers and leaves, looks gorgeous, and survives effortlessly. However, the branches are fragile and break easily. The tree requires frequent pruning and the fallen flowers are hard to clean up.

What’s more, there is another serious problem with mimosa trees: their reproductive rate via seed propagation is too fast. When confined within their original habitat, this simply adds to the weeding workload, but when the tree spread to America and other non-original habitats, its alarming reproductive rate made it a potentially dangerous invasive species.

"Mimosa Tree" or "Silk Tree"?

The mimosa tree’s leaves are pinnate and compound, quite similar to those of mimosa pudica’s, and they also close up at night and in the rain. This gave it the English name “mimosa tree”, despite the fact that it’s not a member of the Mimosa genus at all.

Real Mimosa pudica

But the most characteristic feature of its look is the blossoming flowers. At a glance, mimosa tree flowers resemble a big, fluffy piece of a down feather. When blooming in clusters, they look like red clouds and emit a delightful fragrance. Take a closer look, and you will find the flowers consist of bunches of gradient pink filaments. These are of course not the petals, but the stamina. Because of them, the mimosa tree is also often called the “silk tree”.

Want Something to Drink?

It might not have occurred to you that the two names of this plant refer to two drinks.

If you are a frequent bar patron, seeing the name “mimosa tree” likely reminds you of a cocktail called “mimosa”. It’s a cocktail invented in France, at Hôtel Ritz Paris in 1925, as the story goes. Mimosa, considered the perfect morning cocktail, is made from blending equal shares of champagne and freshly-squeezed orange juice. Some bartenders may add a little Triple Sec or Grand Marnier to the glass. The orange juice is there to guarantee your vitamin ingestion, while the bubbly champagne marks the start of a splendid day.

Of course, the name of the cocktail has not much to do with either the mimosa tree or mimosa pudica. The name was inspired by another leguminous plant called “mimosa” – Acacia dealbata, which is originally from Australia. Unlike the mimosa tree or mimosa pudica, Acacia dealbata’s velvet flowers are bright yellow. Rumor has it that the cocktail was so named because of its exactly identical color with that of Acacia dealbata’s flowers.

Acacia dealbata‘s flowers

“Silk tree”, on the other hand, is a distilled, alcohol-free beverage from Ireland. The famed BBC Good Food magazine once published a critical commentary recommending the best alcohol-free beverages in the world, and not surprisingly, this drink is on that list. The critic even said it outright, stating: “This was the best of the botanical drinks I tried.”

The ingredients of this drink, besides the secret spice recipe, include lemon peels and small berries. Take a sip and you can detect the obvious fragrances of cinnamon and orange peels in rich layers and a lingering note. It’s best to drink it with blended tonic water for a harmonious and delicious taste. It’s widely popular in Great Britain and Ireland.

Can I Grow Mimosa Tree Well?

Mimosa trees like warm, moist, and sun-filled environments. They’re quite adaptable to various climates and soils. They like soil with good drainage and can endure barrenness and drought, but aren’t very tolerant of waterlogging. They grow rapidly.

People usually plant mimosa tree seedlings in the spring. Mimosa trees like acidic soil, so mixing peat soil or leaf compost in the planting pit beforehand can improve the soil performance. Adult mimosa trees are rather drought-enduring. Therefore, in an area with normal precipitation, mimosa trees need almost no additional watering once a 2-inch-thick organic mulch is covering their bases.

Like many other leguminous plants, mimosa trees have a good nitrogen-fixing capacity. Therefore, they don’t require much fertilization. One application of compost in early spring will be sufficient to last a year. However, in dry weather, its branches could embrittle and break easily, and are likely to attract pests, too. Hence, broken and pest-infested branches need to be pruned off quickly.

Mimosa tree seeds have a high survival rate. They can be sown for propagation after soaking in warm water. The tree can also reproduce via cutting, using branches or the adventitious buds sprouting from the roots. Because of its strong reproductive capability, it’s considered an invasive species in some Southern US regions. Please consult local authorities before planting this tree.

Size: 5-12 m in height, 4-5 m in the spread

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 6-9

Light duration: Full sun

Soil: well-drained soil, sandy, loam or chalk

Bloom time: Summer to early fall

Flower of the Week: Cornflower

Flower of the Week:

Cornflower

The cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is a fast-growing, lushly-blooming, herbal flower. This slender plant is highly ornamental when it blossoms in the summer and fall. It has a beautiful capitulum – an inflorescence surrounded by a circle of blue trumpet-like ray florets with serrate margin lobes.

Cornflowers are widely useful in horticulture, especially in newly-built gardens. Before other trees, shrubs, and persistent flowers mature to their best looks, this fast-growing country floret comes in handy to revive the dull color void of immature gardens.

From "Cornflower" to "Bachelor's Button"

Cornflowers originated in Europe, where they grow very well in almost all types of environments but especially in arable plain fields with fertile soil. In ancient times, Europeans often found them in the farmlands, thus the earthy name “cornflower”.

Cornflowers are great for flower arrangements. They remain vividly-colored when dried, and therefore are often used to make dried flowers. It’s said that bachelors in England like to pin them in their buttonholes to boost their courtship success rate, so the cornflower has earned an alternative name of “bachelor’s button”.

Dried cornflowers are edible. They can be served in salads for adornment. Cornflower petals are often added to Earl Grey tea as well.

A Famous Flower With a Long History

In Europe, the cornflower has a long history of cultivation and enjoys household fame. When tracing the genus name “Centaurea”, its written records easily date back to Ancient Greece. According to Pliny the Elder, Ancient Greeks used the name of the mythical Centaurs for these blue florets because they believed the story that Chiron, who mastered the art of healing, had used this plant to cure poisoning by the Hydra.

A Centaurs statue in the Tuileries Garden in Paris

Many regions, schools, organizations, and political parties in Europe also chose the cornflower to be their insignias. Today, it is the national flower of Estonia and Germany. Legend has it that cornflowers once helped Friedrich Wilhelm III of the Kingdom of Prussia and his family hide from Napoleon Bonaparte’s pursuing army. Since then, the cornflower has become the symbol of the Kingdom of Prussia, often appearing on the uniforms of high-ranking military officers.

The cornflower is often present in literature and art as well. The story of The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson, begins with the words “Out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower”, describing a beautiful, imaginary underwater world.

The Mesmerizing Blue

Of a cornflower’s most attractive features, nothing stands out more than its bright blue color. “Cyanus“, the specific epithet in its scientific name, simply means “blue”. In the field of design, “cornflower blue” is a unique color name, while in gemology, a higher-level color code of sapphire is also called the “cornflower” color.

In the 1910s, scientists extracted centaurocyanin, the same kind of anthocyanidin, from cornflowers and roses successively. But a cornflower looks blue, and a rose is red. Why the difference? Initially, people attributed it to the different pH values in the flowers’ fine structures, for like all other anthocyanidins, centaurocyanin looks red in an acid environment and blue in an alkaline one. However, later researchers realized the answer is far more complex.

Scientists in Japan discovered the ultimate answer as recently as 2005. The centaurocyanin in cornflowers doesn’t bear color by itself. Instead, 6 molecules of anthocyanidins and 6 molecules of flavones constitute an intricate complex protocyanin, with iron and magnesium ions contributing to its formation as well as extra calcium ions to keep it stabilized. It takes such a fully-formed complex to bestow that bright and rich blue upon cornflowers.

Can I Grow Cornflowers Well?

Cornflowers are perfect for country-style gardens, where they can scatter around and grow freely without much special care. Cornflowers require very little from their environments, flourishing naturally and tenaciously no matter whether the soil is barren or fertile, or the sunlight duration long or short. They can also be planted in flower beds or potted in just about any containers.

To create the most striking visual impact, it’s best to plant some other flowers among the cornflowers that share the same flowering season while differing vastly in color contrast, such as corn poppies, calendulas, etc. What’s more, the cornflower is an excellent nectariferous plant. For a rustic garden, they are the best choice to attract bees and butterflies.

A widely-grown garden plant, cornflowers are superbly capable of expanding. The plant has spread worldwide and naturalized nearly everywhere, including in North America and Australia. In some areas of the New World, it’s still considered dangerously invasive. Therefore, take careful measures to prevent its expansion when you grow it.

Interestingly and by contrast, wild cornflower distribution in Europe where the plant originated has reduced significantly due to intensive agriculture and herbicide overdosage.

Size: 30-70 cm tall, up to 1 m tall in fertile soil

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 2-11

Light duration: Full sun, partial shade tolerant

Soil: moist soil with good drainage, drought-tolerant once planted

Bloom time: Late spring through early summer

15 Great Plants for Your Poolside Landscaping

These easy-to-manage, fuss-free plants will help to create a spectacular poolside display in your garden. Add vibrant greens and stunning silhouettes to accentuate your turquoise waters and skip the nuisance leaf debris that you might get with some ill-suited species.

Horseshoe geranium

Horseshoe geranium can be identified by looking for horseshoe-shaped patterns of color, or ‘zones’ within the leaves. The bright blooms are attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds and come in many colors, including red, pink, salmon, and more. These plants are easy to grow outside in your yard or indoors in containers.

Jade plant

Looking like a miniature fairytale tree, Jade plant is one of the world’s most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, it is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.

Bird of paradise

The Bird of paradise is a bright, flowering plant. It is native to South Africa, where it is important to national culture, even being featured on the country’s 50-cent coin. The Bird of paradise has also become the official flower of Los Angeles in spite of its non-native status. In the wild, these flowers attract sunbirds as pollinators.

Bearded iris

The Bearded iris is a flowering plant that appears in many different colors. It is a popular garden plant because it’s easy to grow. Though their native lands are in Europe, Bearded iris es are often grown in Iranian cemeteries.

Tree aeonium

Tree aeonium (Aeonium arboreum) is a succulent subshrub species endemic to the Canary Islands. Tree aeonium is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. Because it is subtropical, this species has to be grown under greenhouse conditions in other climates. Tree aeonium is also known as the tree houseleek and the Irish rose. It grows naturally in shade and on weathered, volcanic soils.

Dwarf umbrella tree

Dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub native to China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or a garden plant in milder climates for its decorative palmately compound leaves. The leaves contain calcium oxalates, which damage internal organs when ingested. It shouldn’t be confused with the Australian umbrella tree, Schefflera actinophylla.

Foxtail agave

Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) is an agave species native to the State of Jalisco in central Mexico. Foxtail agave is a popular ornamental species in gardens in subtropical climates. This species grows best in loamy soil protected from direct sunlight. This species may die if it is exposed to prolonged periods of frost.

Angel's trumpet

Angel’s trumpet is a showy and unique addition to any garden and is prized for its flowers which have a trumpet shape and a variety of colors including yellow, orange, white, pink, or red. Use extreme caution, however, as all parts of Angel’s trumpet are poisonous when ingested.

Sweet potato

While most assume that the Sweetpotato is a potato, it is not considered nightshade. However, sweet potatoes and potatoes both belong to the order of Solanales. Its culinary use is wide and can be fried, baked or boiled.

Tall kangaroo paw

As you might be able to guess from its name, the Tall kangaroo paw is a plant that is native to Australia. These plants can range in color from yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple. Interestingly, the flowers on the Tall kangaroo paw plant vary with the temperature, and are more vibrant in cooler temperatures.

Creeping jenny

The Latin name Lysimachia nummularia means like a coin, giving the additional common names of herb twopence or twopenny grass. The Creeping jenny works well as a groundcover and can be used in a bog garden.

Papyrus sedge

Papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus) is an aquatic flowering plant that’s originally from Africa. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to make papyrus, one of the earliest kinds of paper. For thousands of years, people have tied the stems together to build boats. Nowadays, it’s often used ornamentally. It’s close to extinction in the Nile Delta region’one of the places it calls home.

Chinese silver grass

'Zebrinus'

Chinese silver grass ‘Zebrinus’ is a Chinese silver grass hybrid also know as zebra-grass because of its unique striped yellow and dark green stems which have been carefully cultivated to differ from the plain green color of the parent plant. This is a versatile ornamental grass originating in East Asia. It’s popular with farmers because of its striking appearance and its resistance to disease and pests.

Chinese hibiscus

Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means ‘the rose of China,’ it is not related to true roses.

Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii, commonly known as Butterfly bush, is a fast-growing shrub native to East Asia. This vigorous plant is usually cultivated as an ornamental, due to its extravagant purple inflorescences. It carries the name Butterfly bush because its flowers are a valuable source of nutritious nectar for numerous butterfly species.