The whole idea of presenting near and dear ones with gifts is a phenomena extremely old. People are pampering their friends and relatives with gifts from time immemorial. The whole idea of giving gifts originated from the fact that one must not only love a person, but also express his feelings about him. The feeling of being loved and cared for is a feeling that really charges up a person and works as a tonic for the tired heart. Easy, therefore, to understand why the practice of giving gifts is an activity that has been carried on for ages now.

And when it comes to giving gifts, then one item that has always been in demand is the flower bouquet. It is easy to understand why. Fresh flower bouquets are liked by everyone. There is something in its fragrance that brings smiles to everyone’s lips. (more…)

Whether you have cut fresh flowers from your own garden or brought some home from the store, there are some tricks that you can do to keep your bouquet looking fresh for days and even weeks. These tips should allow you and others to enjoy your flowers and keep others wondering how you got such a green thumb.

When selecting a bouquet or flowers to add to your bouquet, flower choice can make a difference in the life of your arrangement. Some flowers wilt or die faster than others once they are cut. Carnations, daisies, baby’s breath, lilies, mum and roses tend to last long when they are properly cared for. (more…)

In South Africa, summer is a time of holidays, travelling, relaxing and celebrations. The happy and excited spirit of summer is not complete without the bright and uplifting presence of flowers.

Summer flowers are a true reflection of the energised, colourful and happy atmosphere. Bright petals and dizzying combinations of floras are what help to characterise summer as a season of outdoor fun and activity, good times with friends and family and relaxation in the warm sun and jovial atmosphere. (more…)

The beauty of the rose garden can never be underestimated. Belonging to the genus Rosa, roses have dominated literature and history by being associated with beauty, love, war and politics. Botanically the genus Rosa has 150 species dispersed around the northern hemisphere.

The Origins

Cultivating roses in gardens probably began in China around 5000 years ago. Various anecdotes and references to the rose are also available during the Roman period and 15th century England. Josephine, Napoleon Bonapartes wife, was believed to be very fond of this flower and took great interest in cultivating a rose garden a little away from the heart of Paris. In the late 18th century, cultivated roses were introduced to Europe from China. Modern day roses are usually traced back to this ancestry. (more…)

The history of cultivated roses goes back thousands of years. According to fossil evidence, rose plants have existed for approximately 35 million years old. The genus Rosa has some 150 species spread throughout the world.

Wild roses are hardy and adaptable plants which grow in conditions ranging from swampy to arid, and can tolerate extreme climates of the northern hemisphere. Alberta, a province of Canada where winter temperatures often reach -40 degrees, has as its provincial flower the wild rose, a small wild variety with dark pink blossoms and a delicate scent. (more…)