Flower Facts: Flowers that Attract Butterflies

From kewlwallpapers.com

Want to attract these lovely bugs (yep! butterflies are still bugs folks) to your garden? Here’s some flower recommendations from Horticulture Magazine to help you create a summer butterfly haven:

“Adult butterflies require nectar plants for food to give them the energy necessary for flight. Though many flowers contain nectar for butterflies, there are a few superstar performers:”

1. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)

From finegardening.com

Butterfly bush is available in a variety of colors, provides dozens of fragrant blooms from July through late August, produces a ton of nectar, and is a must-have for any butterfly garden.

2. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

From en.wikipedia.org

The butterfly garden should also include the cornflower due to its tough, drought-tolerant bloom, not to mention it’s pretty flower bud too

3. Brazilian verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

From hotplants.co.uk

4. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

From gardenality.com

Butterfly milkweed is another butterfly plant that’s easy to grow right from the seed.

5. Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)

From delange.org

Last but not least, the zinnia–it’s a favourite for butterflies of all types, and provides a great punch of colour to the garden.

There you have it folks! Five great, gorgeous flowers perfect for your garden that also attracts some delightful company in the process!

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flowers A to Z: A is for Anemone

From commons.wikimedia.org

Yessir, we’re back to square one with our Flowers A to Z category, and this week we wanted to bring you a fun little flower that often gets confused for another famous flower:

Yep. Definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Enjoy some info from Wikipedia on the Anemone (or as we like to call it, the land anemone!):

Among the most popular are the autumn-flowering Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis).

The name Anemone comes from Greek and roughly means “daughter of the wind”, which signifies that the wind that blows the petal open will also, eventually, blow the dead petals and fruit away.

From crossovertraining.net

Anemone flowers are cup-shaped and come in yellowish, white, purple, violet, or red shades.

March kicks off poppy season in Israel, one of the countries that are known for its massive Anemone cultivation.

Anemone coronaria (poppy anemone, Spanish marigold, “dağ lalesi” in Turkish, “Calanit” in Hebrew, “Shaqa’iq An-Nu’man” in Arabic) is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean area.  It is one of the more popular species of Anemone grown in gardens, displaying colours such as scarlet, crimson, blue, purple, and white.

From languagegallery.blogspot.com

If you are interested in planting Anemone in your garden:

If the Anemone is tuberous, plant it in the summer. If it’s rhizomatous, separate in the spring. If they’re roots are fibrous, divide the plants in early spring or fall and it potted for at least a year before transplanting to your garden. When in doubt: plant in the fall. Here’s some more helpful tips from The Flower Expert on planting Anemone:

• Windflowers should be grown in very well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a lightly shaded or sunny location.
• Plant the tubers in the fall or spring, unless you live north of their adapted zones; in this case, plant in the spring.
• Before planting, soak the tubers for a few hours or overnight; if you soak them overnight, you will be able to see the slightly swollen areas from which shoots will grow.
• Plant the tubers 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart.
• If not sure which end is up, lay them on their sides.

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower Recipe: Warm Mushroom Spinach Salad with Fresh Arugula Flowers and Chives

From http://jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Yeah, this recipe from Jeanette’s Healthy Living has a HUGE name, but the ingredients needed to make this yummy-looking salad are small in number, we promise! Perfect for an appetizer or a light  lunch, this spinach salad is great for the summertime!

From http://jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Ingredients:

Sauteed Mushrooms:

• 1 bunch 100% Organic Bunashimeji (Beech Mushrooms), trimmed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper, to taste

Salad:

• 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
• fresh arugula flowers
• fresh chives with blossoms

From http://jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Directions:

1. To saute mushrooms, heat oil in a shallow small saute pan.
2. Saute shallots and Bunashimeji in olive oil for one minute.
3. Add balsamic vinegar and gently toss mushrooms for another 30 seconds.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. To assemble salad, place a large handful of baby spinach on 2 plates.
6. Spoon warm sauteed mushrooms on top.
7. Garnish with fresh arugula flower and chives.

Perfecto!

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower DIY: Easy Peasy Statement Ring

Thanks to this great tutorial and images from Trinkets in Bloom, we can show you how to make your own cute flower statement ring, yay!

Materials:

1. Hose clamp
2. Colors of ribbon
3. Gold elastic
4. 1 Large bead
5. Scissors
6. Hot glue
7. Needle
8. Thread
9. Screwdriver

Here’s a bigger picture of the materials:

Click here to get the step-by-step tutorial on this gorgeous (and fun!) DIY!

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower Facts: Edible Flowers

Ok, so we’ve got an entire page of our site dedicated to posting yummy recipes relating to flowers–but how do you know that what you’ve got growing in the backyard is going to be delicious or deadly? NEVER FEAR! Treehugger found 42 flowers safe for eating and describe how they taste to boot!

1. Allium

All blossoms from the allium family (leeks, chives, garlic, garlic chives) are edible and flavorful! Flavors run the gamut from delicate leek to robust garlic. Every part of these plants is edible.

2. Angelica

Depending on the variety, flowers range from pale lavender-blue to deep rose and have a licorice-like flavor.

3. Anise hyssop

Both flowers and leaves have a subtle anise or licorice flavor.

4. Arugula

Blossoms are small with dark centers and with a peppery flavor much like the leaves. They range in color from white to yellow with dark purple streaks.

5. Bachelor’s button

Grassy in flavor, the petals are edible. Avoid the bitter calyx.

6. Basil

Blossoms come in a variety of colors, from white to pink to lavender; flavor is similar to the leaves, but milder.

7. Bee balm

The red flowers have a minty flavor.

8. Borage

Blossoms are a lovely blue hue and taste like cucumber!

9. Calendula / marigold

A great flower for eating, calendula blossoms are peppery, tangy, and spicy — and their vibrant golden color adds dash to any dish.

10. Carnations / dianthus

Petals are sweet, once trimmed away from the base. The blossoms taste like their sweet, perfumed aroma.

11. Chamomile

Small and daisylike, the flowers have a sweet flavor and are often used in tea. Ragweed sufferers may be allergic to chamomile.

12. Chervil

Delicate blossoms and flavor, which is anise-tinged.

13. Chicory

Mildly bitter earthiness of chicory is evident in the petals and buds, which can be pickled.

14. Chrysanthemum

A little bitter, mums come in a rainbow of colors and a range of flavors range from peppery to pungent. Use only the petals.

15. Cilantro

Like the leaves, people either love the blossoms or hate them. The flowers share the grassy flavor of the herb. Use them fresh as they lose their charm when heated.

16. Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kumquat)

Citrus blossoms are sweet and highly scented. Use frugally or they will over-perfume a dish.

17. Clover

Flowers are sweet with a hint of licorice.

18. Dandelion

Read a whole post about dandelions here: Eating and Harvesting Dandelions. (I am nuts about dandelions.)

19. Dill

Yellow dill flowers taste much like the herb’s leaves.

20. English daisy

These aren’t the best-tasting petals — they are somewhat bitter — but they look great!

21. Fennel

Even Mr. Caterpillar thinks these noms are tasty!

Yellow fennel flowers are eye candy with a subtle licorice flavor, much like the herb itself.

22. Fuchsia

Tangy fuchsia flowers make a beautiful garnish.

23. Gladiolus

Who knew? Although gladioli are bland, they can be stuffed, or their petals removed for an interesting salad garnish.

24. Hibiscus

Famously used in hibiscus tea, the vibrant cranberry flavor is tart and can be used sparingly.

25. Hollyhock

Bland and vegetal in flavor, hollyhock blossoms make a showy, edible garnish.

26. Impatiens

Flowers don’t have much flavor — best as a pretty garnish or for candying.

27. Jasmine

These super-fragrant blooms are used in tea; you can also use them in sweet dishes, but sparingly.

28. Johnny Jump-Up

Adorable and delicious, the flowers have a subtle mint flavor great for salads, pastas, fruit dishes and drinks.

29. Lavender

Sweet, spicy, and perfumed, the flowers are a great addition to both savory and sweet dishes.

30. Lemon verbena

The diminutive off-white blossoms are redolent of lemon — and great for teas and desserts.

31. Lilac

The blooms are pungent, but the floral citrusy aroma translates to its flavor as well.

32. Mint

The flowers are — surprise! — minty. Their intensity varies among varieties.

33. Nasturtium

One of the most popular edible flowers, nasturtium blossoms are brilliantly colored with a sweet, floral flavor bursting with a spicy pepper finish. When the flowers go to seed, the seed pod is a marvel of sweet and spicy. You can stuff flowers, add leaves to salads, pickle buds like capers, and garnish to your heart’s content.

34. Oregano

The flowers are a pretty, subtle version of the leaf.

35. Pansy

The petals are somewhat nondescript, but if you eat the whole flower you get more taste.

36. Radish

Varying in color, radish flowers have a distinctive, peppery bite.

37. Rose

Remove the white, bitter base and the remaining petals have a strongly perfumed flavor perfect for floating in drinks or scattering across desserts, and for a variety of jams. All roses are edible, with flavor more pronounced in darker varieties.

38. Rosemary

Flowers taste like a milder version of the herb; nice used as a garnish on dishes that incorporate rosemary.

39. Sage

Blossoms have a subtle flavor similar to the leaves.

40. Squash and pumpkin

Blossoms from both are wonderful vehicles for stuffing, each having a slight squash flavor. Remove stamens before using.

41. Sunflower

Petals can be eaten, and the bud can be steamed like an artichoke.

42. Violets

Another famous edible flower, violets are floral, sweet and beautiful as garnishes. Use the flowers in salads and to garnish desserts and drinks.

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flowers A to Z: Z is for Zantedeschia

From ausgardener.com.au

Zanta-what? It’s cool, we can’t pronounce the name either. But we can pronounce Calla Lilies, which is one of the common names for the Zantedeschia–but don’t be fooled! There aren’t actually calla lilies. Here’s some more fun facts about this beautiful flower from Wikipedia:

Make sure to keep cut Zantedeschia arrangements thoroughly watered--they're heavy drinkers!

Though related to the genus Calla, Zantedeschia are neither calla nor lily.

Though more commonly known for their white flowers, callas come in many other shades such as yellows, oranges, pinks and dark purples.

The name of the genus was given as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846).

Zantedeschia are natives of South Africa, where they grow so abundantly that they’re viewed as common roadside plants and are called “pig lilies.”

"Edge of Night" Zantedeschia

All parts of the the Zantedeschia species are poisonous due to the presence of calcium oxalate, which causes irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhea when ingested.

Despite their toxicity, Zantedeschia are often featured in wedding bouquets because Calla lilies symbolize innocence and purity.

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower Recipe: A Kid-Friendly Mother’s Day Brunch

Mother’s Day brunch, a tradition that many families try to uphold. But with kiddos involved, sometimes it’s hard to find something both Mom and the kids can enjoy together. Kids– there’s nothing wrong with a Green Apple + Peanut Butter + Reeces Puffs Cereal milkshake, we’re just saying we don’t want it every day. A big thanks to Land O’ Moms for finding this great recipe that the kids can make and enjoy with Mom:

This recipe is a very easy and quick way to get a lot of great protein and for the mother in your life to feel extra special on that day.

Land O’Frost Breakfast Cups

Materials:

• 12-24 slices of your favorite sliced deli meats
• 12 eggs
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 slices of your favorite cheese, cut into fourths
• Cooking Spray
• Muffin pan

How-To

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Line the cups with 1-2 slices of meat, making a little bowl out of it.
4. Meanwhile, beat the eggs and pepper together.
5. Pour the egg mixture into the meat cups.
6. Lay a piece of the cheese over the cups.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until light golden brown and completely cooked.
8. Serve right away!

Tasty and pretty too!

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower DIY: Mother’s Day Body Scrub

Tell mom, “Thanks!” more than one day out of the year with this awesome DIY from Dellie:

Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub

Original recipe by Leah of Freutcake (with a few subs)

• 1/2 cup white, granulated sugar
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sunflower oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Air-tight jar (Mason jar, etc)

Easy breezy!

Helpful tips from the author:

• The sunflower oil settles over time and so you’ll have to blend it before use (like Italian dressing).
• If you’re using your hands to scoop this out, you might want to store the scrub in the fridge when not in use to keep bacteria at bay.

Make Mom something to help her relax on her day (and every day after!). If you know she likes a particular scent, add a drop of essential oil or fragrance into the mix–over time, it will become more infused with the scrub and will smell yummier with every use!

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flower Facts: Space Flowers!?

Check out these gorgeous space “flower” and its story from National Geographic:

Spring flowers are blooming—even in space. This recently released picture shows NGC 7023, also called the Iris nebula for its floral appearance, as seen from Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

The cosmic flower is actually what’s known as a reflection nebula. The interstellar cloud of dust and gas glows not because its material is being heated, but because it’s reflecting light from nearby stars.

For instance, the bright glow in the middle of the nebula comes from a hot, massive star that gives off blue light, which then gets scattered by dust, lending the nebula its distinctive color.

Fact: space is cool. Space flowers are even cooler.

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog

Flowers A to Z: Youth and Old Age

From artandcolour.blogspot.com

Commonly known as the Zinnia, this flower is a delight for gardens and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Read on to learn more about this garden beauty:

The Zinnia elegans is commonly known by gardeners as Youth and Old Age

Named after the German botanist Johann Gottfriend Zinn (1727–59), the original zinnias came from Mexico.

Butterflies and hummingbirds love Zinnias, and are often featured in outdoor gardens.

They were considered so ugly that the Spanish called Youth and Old Age, mal de ojos, or ”sickness of the eye.” In the 18th century Spanish explorers brought these “eyesores” back to Europe.

Zinnias come in many colours and petal formations.

Zinnias are not a poisonous plant and are safe for gardens frequented by children and pets.  However, they are not a culinary flower, and are not used as food garnishes, etc.

Love,

Your friends at Flowerblog