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Perennial Flowers For Father’s Day

Ask the Expert: What perennial is easy to grow?
I want to give my friend seeds to plant on Father’s Day to remember her Father who just passed away last month.  I think it would be a nice gift if every year she has a flower that blooms and reminds her of her dad.  I was hoping to find a perennial flower that symbolizes rememberance that is easy to plant and grow in the suburbs of Chicago.  She does not have a green thumb so something that basically requires very little or no attention would be preferable.  Does such a flower exist?  Joanna

Plant Expert Reply:

The first perennial that come to mind is the Myosotis (Forget-me-not flower).  This plant has long been used as a short-lived perennial that symbolizes remembrance or memories.  It come in blue, white, blush and yellow flowers. It should be easy to start from seed.

However, there are several perennials I would choose instead of Forget-me-nots.  Although these perennials don’t necessarily have a meaning associated with them, I would choose Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorous), Blanket Flower (Galardia x grandiflora), or Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata). These perennials are easy grow from seed, fairly easy to maintain and bloom longer than most perennials flowers.

Keep in mind perennials even though they come back every year require a lot of work. Your friend will need to tend to the bed throughout the year to keep it free from weeds. If your friend doesn’t have a green thumb, an annual bed or pot garden might be a better way to remember her dad this Father’s Day. Annual beds and pots are a little easier to maintain because you can start from scratch each year. It could also become a future tradition. She could sow Zinnias which are symbolically used for “Daily Remembrance” in a pot or in an annual bed every year. They are fairly easy to care for and a beautiful way to remember her father.

Whatever you choose for her, I’m sure she will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift. Flowers are a wonderful way to help comfort those we love.

What A Treasure, What A Gemini!

Geminis are fun people. Well, at least generally speaking. I have known and loved many a Gemini in my time and continue to fall in love with the unique personality each person has even though many Geminis share the same characteristics.

Born between May 21st and June 20th, Geminis are said to be talkative, energetic and intellectual. Yup, that’s spot on for most of the Geminis that I know. They can also be inconsistent, inquisitive, nervous and tense. Wow…that would be a bad day. I have an idea for curing those woes around their birthday this year. Send flowers! Some examples of Gemini zodiac flowers are:

  • Alstroemeria
  • Solidago
  • Daffodil
  • Cactus
  • Acacia

Truth be told, this idea was given to me last year and I liked it so much that I thought I’d share it again. (You can still view the 2008 zodiac flowers post.) I’m not much on astrology but I do see a lot of fun in sending astrological flowers for a person’s birthday or special day inside the month. It’s always interesting to have something unique to discuss. Bring up the type of zodiac flowers at the birthday party and see if you don’t get a rapid response.

Want to send a unique birthday gift like zodiac flowers but are afraid you’ll offend the recipient. Send birth month flowers instead! All the greatness, none of the guilt!

The Beauty Of White Peonies

Despite the wind, the rain (the massive rain) and the unseasonably cool temperatures, my peonies have been beautiful.

Since I like to share, here are a couple pictures from my garden.

White Peony Bloom

White Peony Bloom

When you enlarge the picture you can see the water droplets on the peony petals.

White Peonies In Vase

White Peonies In Vase

I cut five peonies from my garden and placed them in a ginger jar. I made sure to shake out all of the ants first. I love being able to cut flowers from my garden. Fortunately, when I don’t have anything blooming I can turn to my local florist for flowers. I think I’ll use this vase of peonies as my dinner table centerpiece.

Planting In An Enclosed Three Season Porch

Ask the Expert: finding plants for an inside garden
We have a garden on the porch which is an enclosed 3 season porch and we live in the NorthEast.  All the previous plants have either died or never flower anymore due to lack of sunlight (even though we have windows entirely around the porch) and we hand water the garden but we need to find plants that would be happy with a drier soil.  The garden has been filled nicely with good soil and was originally an outside garden before we enclosed the patio.  Any suggestions would be appreciated. Lora

Reply:

I assume you want plants that will remain all year long.  This makes it a little more difficult, if the 3 season porch is not heated during the winter. If your garden has enough depth to it, you can plant the following: hosta, liriope spicata, english Ivy, pachysandra terminalis, vinca minor vines.  These plants will give you great foliage with staying power and some will even bloom. For more blooms try: aquilegia, astilbe, dianthus, spotted dead nettles, snowdrops, bleeding heart.  Most of these plants will tolerate low light and drier soil.

I would also try planting New Guinea impatiens, annual impatiens and begonias.  These should be fine for three out of the four seasons.

I recommend dropping by your local garden center and nursery (not a box store) and discussing this with them.  They are your best source for regional plants that will work with your situation.  In fact, I’m sure they will be able to suggested and provide plants that I may not be familiar with.

Good luck and keep me posted.  As you create your new garden I would love to see pictures and learn which plants you choose.

If you need a name of a reputable garden center in your area, let me know and I’ll try to help.

Boy, Do I Have An Anniversary Gift Idea For You!

Flowers are pretty standard as far as anniversary gifts go, but this year why not bump it up a notch? Instead of picking out a standard bouquet for your anniversary, flowers that were in her wedding bouquet add a wonderful dimension of sincerity and romance. Now while it’s not a good idea to deconstruct or  necessarily reconstruct her original wedding bouquet, ask your local florist to use the type of flowers that were in her bouquet in an anniversary arrangement.

Score major points with this idea.

Can’t remember what flowers were in her bouquet? If you’re like most guys, you probably don’t remember what was in her bouquet and had probably all but forgotten that she carried one. No worries. I’ve got you covered.

She could probably tell you but asking her defeats the purpose of being a sneaky romantic. Instead, peer through the wedding photos for a picture of her with the wedding bouquet. Your florist can use this to determine which flowers played the largest part in the ensemble. Make sure it’s a clear picture though.  Plus, be even sneakier by getting the photo during a “baby, take a look at what I just found” evening. You’ll score even more points with her for wanting to relive the day by going through the photo album together! Go you!

Happy anniversary! Don’t forget to stop back by and let us know how it turned out!

Forget A Birthday? Here’s A Cool Belated Birthday Gift

My brothers are hilarious. If you’ve ever seen the hit comedy series Frasier, picture Niles and Frasier at 25 and 23.  Aaron (who turned 25 on the 4th of April) is finicky about his appearance, his preferences, his likes and dislikes. He plays the “big brother” role very well. Mark (my surrogate brother who is 8 days my senior) is also finicky but in very different ways. He’s a “go green” enthusiast, avid vegetarian, and soon-to-be father. Their byplay is priceless and merited a very fun belated birthday gift for Aaron.

Mark forgot Aaron’s birthday this year. Not sure how but it slipped his mind until the following Monday. My sister (22 on the 14th of April) was also forgotten briefly. Feeling horrible for forgetting Aaron’s birthday, Mark brought over the coolest gift ever. I couldn’t  help but laugh. I only wish I’d taken a picture!

Aaron and Mark enjoy gardening. In lieu of some elaborate reparations, Mark brought over a packet of forget-me-not seeds and a small garden shovel. It was too cool! Ok, maybe it’s my warped sense of humor that made me laugh so much when I heard about this belated birthday gift. Something like this is always fun. If you have an equally wry sense of humor and just so happen to forget a birthday, call your local florist. I’m sure they can hook you up with some forget-me-nots for the occasion. Let’s hope you never need this belated birthday tip!

Break Away From Red Flowers For Mother’s Day–Show Lavender Love Instead!

"Lavender Love" Mother's Day Bouquet

"Lavender Love" Mother's Day Bouquet

Ever tried to express lavender love? I would guess not. Red is the color usually associated with passionate love, but that’s not what I want to show my mom for Mother’s Day. My mom deserves something else. Something better. Something more representative of the sweet and nurturing nature of a mother and her child. That’s why I chose the “Lavender Love” bouquet as this month’s featured flower arrangement.

Since we don’t live in caves we all know that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It’s time to start looking for the best gift for mom this year. The “Lavender Love” Mother’s Day bouquet jumped out at me when I was peering through the fresh flower photo gallery. It’s gorgeous! It has height, style, depth, color, softness, personality–it’s everything I would say about my mother. Well, I’m taller than my mom and I only stand 5’4″ but the rest is true.

Chances are that your mother is totally different than mine. That’s fine! That’s great, in fact, because it provides a dozen new reasons why someone else will like the “Lavender Love” bouquet for Mother’s Day. It’s unique in that it appeals to so many different types of people.

  • Does your mom love Spring? Pastel spring colors and a few vibrant, bold ones pop up in this arrangement.
  • Is your mom the leader of the household? Soften her up a bit with a sweet flower bouquet like this one.
  • Does your mom a real social butterfly who loves hosting parties and get-togethers for the ladies? Give them something to look at during their Mothers Day teas by sending flowers like this gift to your mom’s home. Impressing her friends is a happy side effect of this.

No matter what your mom is like, she’s a great woman who deserves a gift. Right? If you’re in the mood for some Mother’s Day gift ideas, stop here. Take a peek at the “Lavender Love” fresh flowers bouquet and see what you think. Even better, think about what your mom will say when it is handed to her by a local florist with a sweet Mother’s Day card message attached.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Did you send this bouquet for another holiday? Getting ready to send it for Mother’s Day? Let us hear your stories! We want to know what your mother or friend thought of the “Lavender Love” bouquet!

Mothers Day Flowers For Every Type of Mom

Want a gift that speaks volumes about your mom’s personality? Mothers Day flowers are great gift ideas for this holiday, but take it  a step further with these cool flower arrangements. Each one is a reflection of a different personality type that your mother may have. Is your mom vivicacious and feisty? Is she personal and traditional? How about reflective and into the arts and crafts? No matter what type of personality your mom has, I suggest these beautiful flowers when you’re looking for Mothers Day gift ideas.

"Touch of Class" Mothers Day Flowers

"Touch of Class" Mothers Day Flowers

Mom “The Contemporary”

She’s hip. She’s cool. She’s into modern things with contemporary flair. She probably likes interior design, is well aware of design techniques and tricks, and doesn’t tune the tv dial to retro shows very often.

This is one cool mother and she deserves a cool gift. Try the “Touch of Class” Mothers Day flowers. They’re perfect for a contemporary office space (send flowers to mom at work) or a home decorated in the trendiest style (send flowers to mom at home or present them to her at lunch).

"Remember Mom" Mothers Day Bouquet

"Remember Mom" Mothers Day Bouquet

Mom “The Traditionalist”

She’s perfect in your eyes. She may not have the latest addition of Interior Design Monthly but you can bet that Family Circle is somewhere in the house. She’s settled but not boring. She’s all about her children (even if grown) but makes time to have fun. She loves a good book or a good movie and will not pass up the opportunity for a relaxing Mothers Day brunch with her daughters and granddaughters.

This mom is awesome. She is selfless and deserves a sweet reward for  her exhausting dedication to her family. For this mom, send the “Remember Mom” bouquet.

"Lasting Love" Mothers Day Basket

"Lasting Love" Mothers Day Basket

Mom “The Old School Sweetheart”

This is for the mom that is very likely a grandmother by now. She’s young at heart with an old soul.  She’s seen a lot in her life and has the wisdom and bearing to prove it. She probably spends a lot of time gardening, relaxing with friends in the Red Hat Society (or is a purple hatter), and has been an empty nester just long enough to still not be completely ok with it.

This mom is precious. She is a giver who has watched many incredible things pass. Her most prized moments though? Moments with you. Why not bring along the “Lasting Love” Mothers Day basket to your get-together this year?

"Lavender Love" Mothers Day Bouquet

"Lavender Love" Mothers Day Bouquet

Mom “The Spritely”

This mom is as active as you are. She’s always here or there doing something with someone. She’s up and about and loves living life to the fullest. She’s charming enough to be everyone’s favorite mother. When your friends wanted a sleepover, they wanted it at your mom’s house.

This mom is perky. She needs something as bouncy and happy in her life as her personality reflects. For the mom who is a constant fount of energy and happiness, give the “Lavender Love” bouquet for Mothers Day.

"Mother Nature's Expression Bouquet"

"Mother Nature's Expression Bouquet"

Mom “The Candid”

(This is my mother and grandmother!) She’s a pip to be around because she always has a witty retort or a wise saying in the form of a wisecrack. She knows her stuff and makes sure that you know that about her. You rarely catch her without an expressed opinion but you’ll never hear her admit that it may be wrong. She’s the life of the party because you want to know what she’s going to say next. No one laughs at this tough cookie though. She’s a very respected mother.

This mom is blunt. She doesn’t fool around with nonsense and expects the same from other people. If your mother is like this (and mine is), send flowers like the “Mother Nature’s Expression Bouquet” because it’s hard to dislike. Just like your mom.

What Perennials Can I Use With Lantana To Extend The Blooming Period?

Ask the Expert: lantana groupings
Last year I created an octagon flower bed with lantanas that looks wonderful when in bloom, but they bloom so late in the season that the bed looks empty now. What can I plant in the bed with them that will come back year after year? I live in Eclectic, AL, close to Montgomery, the bed receives full sun, & the soil is mostly red clay with potting soil in the plant hole. Jennifer

Reply:
If you want something blooming every season, you will need to plant several different kinds of plants.
For winter blooming, I suggest Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) which grows to about 15″.
For early spring blooming, I suggest Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox) which will need to be at the front of your bed since it will only get about 4-6″ in hgt but will spread.
For late spring try Stokesia laevis (Stoke’s Aster) which will grow to about 15″ in height. Kniphofia uvaria (Red Hot poker) with blooms that can be 3′ height.

You can also plant tulips and daffodils in the bed with the lantana for late winter/early spring blooming. Since lantana last well in to the late fall I would bother with a fall blooming perennial unless you want to plant chrysanthemums.

Good luck and keep me posted on your garden’s progress. I would love to see pictures of it as it progresses.

What Does May Mean To You?

It may mean nothing. It may mean everything.

It may mean sports and activities. It may mean the end of school.

It may mean celebrating a birthday. If this is the case, it may mean birth month flowers.

Birth month flowers are beautiful fresh flowers associated with a particular month and are usually sent as unique birthday gifts. If celebrating a birthday in May, get excited about your options this month because the birth month flower for May is the lily!

Lilies Make Unique Birthday Gifts in May

Lilies Make Unique Birthday Gifts in May

Lilies make great gifts because so much meaning can be attached to them. Lilies represent purity. There are tons of great card messages wrapped around encouraging words of purity. Score one for lilies.

Lilies are beautiful, popular flowers. Everyone loves waking up to fresh bouquet of lilies. Whether Asiatic lilies, stargazer lilies, Casablanca lilies or others, these fresh flowers are always big hits. That makes it easy to please any birthday girl or boy with fresh flowers. Score two for lilies.

Lilies are the birth month flower of May. This makes them a unique birthday gift idea. Who doesn’t like knowing that extra thought went into their birthday gift? Sending a unique birthday gift like a bouquet of birth month flowers is a great way to show someone how much you care. Score three for lilies.

Lilies = 3. Reasons not to send Lilies = 0.

Celebrating your own birthday in May? Tell us what you’d think about receiving lilies! Sending flowers to a friend in May? Let us know what they thought about their bouquet of fresh lilies!