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The crocus delights us in early spring as it dares to peek through the snow and lift its face to the sun. Soon after follow tulips, narcissus, iris, lilacs… all perennials that welcome spring with vibrant color and fragrance.
Perennial plants bloom at different times during the growing season and delight you with variety in color and size from earliest spring to late autumn. However, many perennials like those mentioned, bloom only for a few short weeks and then disappear from the landscape until the following year.
Annual plants provide a garden with continuous bloom and color throughout the summer. The "mission" of an annual is to produce seed. Seeds sprout, foliage grows, flowers bloom and then the plant goes to seed. When the annual completes its mission, the entire plant— flower, foliage, and root system —dies.
Some annuals have a very short life span and depending upon when they are planted, may reseed and go through two or more growing cycles per season. Other annual plants grow continuously from spring planting until the first frost of autumn.
Since annual plants die completely at season end, they need to be replaced yearly. Depending on the cultivar, annual seeds can be planted directly into a garden or sprouted indoors for transplanting when weather conditions and soil temperatures are right for growth.
Annual transplants are also available each spring at gardening centers and many are sold in inexpensive flats that contain four or more plants. Annual plants can often be closely grouped to fill in barren areas of your landscape whereas perennials often need space to multiply and/or to grow to maturity.
Although some perennial plants are more expensive to purchase than annuals, in the long run you may find them less expensive since they last for longer than a single growing season. You can also purchase groups of assorted perennial bulbs in very inexpensive packs.
Perennial foliage and flowers also die at the end of a growing season, but contrary to annuals, the root systems of perennial plants live over winter and resprout with new growth each spring.
Another advantage of perennial plants is that although flowers and foliage die back, the branches of perennial shrubs offer some visual appeal to a winter landscape.
Perennial plants may take more than one season to reach full maturity. Because perennials propagate from root structures, many types of perennials also need to be divided after three or four seasons to reduce crowding and maintain their vigor.
Although all perennial plants are able to resprout for multiple seasons, perennials are divided into to categories of hardy perennials or tender perennials according to the temperature zone in which they are grown.
Hardy perennials are those that can be left in the ground to return the following season. Except for occasional division and/or pruning, hardy perennial plants need little care once established.
Bulbs like tulips and daffodils are among the easiest plants to grow and excellent choices for a beginning gardener. Tender perennials need your help to survive the winter. Some can over winter when covered with a layer of mulch or otherwise protected from the elements with gardening appurtenances such as rose cones. Some tender perennials need to be lifted and stored indoors over winter.
So the question remains, do you need annual plants or perennials? Each type of plant is ripe with "pros" and short on "cons" if you love flowers. The best solution is to experiment by planting some of each to get a summer full of color, variety, and pure gardening enjoyment!
Create Your Very Own Backyard Pharmacy: The 10 Most Useful Medicinal Plants For Your Garden
Would you like to create your very own backyard pharmacy? There’s no better way to use whatever extra space you have at home than to create a garden space where you can grow medicinal plants.
In fact, even if you live in an apartment setting, you can create a windowsill garden where you can grow medicinal plants.
This is especially useful if you have little kids running around in the house who can acquire a burn, a shallow wound, a sore or strike up a fever. Basically, the medicinal plants to grow in your very own little garden space should be ones with the most number of medicinal values.
Factors that You Need to Consider when Growing a Medicinal Plant Garden
Before giving out the top 10 medicinal plants that you can grow in your very own garden, here are a few tips to get you started.
First, check on the area where you plan to grow the medicinal plants in. Will you be having a mini-garden or would you like to turn your lawn into a virtual resource of medicinal plants which you can call your very own backyard pharmacy?
After analyzing the extra space that you have, consider other factors like sunlight, water, type of soil, type of container and the time of the year when the medicinal plants will thrive the most.
By taking these factors into account, you can rest assured that your medicinal plants will be thriving in the mini-garden that you will create just for them.
A Look at the Top 10 Medicinal Plants for Your Garden Space
Now that you already have an idea about the gardening basics, what exactly are the valuable medicinal plants that you can grow right in your very own garden space? Take a look at the following list:
1. Aloe Vera
If there’s one medicinal plant which has 101 uses that is none other than aloe vera.
Let’s say that you or a kid in your home suffered from a minor burn, you can use the bottom stalk of aloe vera as a soothing balm by rubbing the exposed end on the burn.
Aside from minor cuts and wounds, aloe vera is also great for burns, treating eczema and reducing inflammation.
Did you know that this medicinal plant can even be taken internally? You can actually drink aloe vera juice and use it to treat digestive problems, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation and poor appetite. This medicinal plant grows well under the sun, so it works best for outdoor gardens.
2. Great Burdock
Also called edible burdock or Lappa burdock, this medicinal plant is actually used as a root vegetable. In traditional medicine, the Great Burdock is used as a blood purifying agent, a diuretic and a diaphoretic.
Aside from being medicinal, this plant also has great aesthetic value because of its purple-and-green thorny flowers which looks great against any garden.
If you would like to add medicinal plant to your backyard pharmacy, it can actually grow even without shade; just make sure that the soil is always moist so that the plant will thrive. Other uses for this medicinal plant include boils, rashes, bruises, burns, acne, ringworm Natural treatments for ringworm and bites.
3. Pot Marigold
The good thing about growing this medicinal in your garden is that it can thrive under any soil condition.
As long as you make sure that the Pot Marigold grows in moist soil, it will very easily thrive. It’s also a great-looking addition to your garden aesthetically because of its deep-orange color.
So what are the main uses of Pot Marigold as a medicinal plant? It can help heal bites, stings, sprains, sore eyes, wounds and even varicose veins. When taken internally, this medicinal plant can be used to treat chronic infections and fever.
4. Chamomile
According to the MedlinePlus database, this medicinal plant can help treat more than 100 separate ailments and conditions including the common cold, digestive problems, diarrhea Acupunture for diarrhea, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, mucositis, toothache, earache Herbs for ear infection, shoulder pain and the common wounds.
What’s good about chamomile is that planting them in your medicinal plant backyard will add a crisp and fruity fragrance to your garden.
5. Echinacea
This lovely-colored flowering medicinal plant is considered to be one of the world’s most important medicinal herbs. It’s actually an herbaceous plant which has several different species.
What makes the Echinacea a handy medicinal plant to be around is the fact that it has a wide array of uses, including the treatment of sores, burns, wounds, allergy relief, insect bites, stings and snakebites. This medicinal plant also has the ability to help relieve allergies by strengthening immune system.
6. Great Yellow Gentian
Also called the Great Yellow Gentian, this medicinal plant comes from the mountains of southern and central Europe. It is actually a bitter herb which is used in traditional medicine, and its main function includes the treatment of digestive problems.
This medicinal plant also aids in the relief of exhaustion from chronic diseases, it stimulates the gal bladder and liver while at the same time strengthening the body.
7. Tea Tree
Look at the ingredients of any over-the-counter medicinal product or beauty product and you will see how tea tree oil is usually listed as one of its main ingredients. This just goes to show how useful the tea tree plant is medicinally.
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves and twigs of the tea tree plant. It has a great many uses, including the treatment of acne, vaginal infections, athlete’s foot, warts, insect bites, cold sores, minor burns, thrush and chronic fatigue syndrome.
8. Peppermint
There’s probably no better-smelling plant that you can grow in your garden than peppermint [Uses of Peppermint essential oil]. It’s considered to be the world’s oldest medicine which has been used by people from the ancient times to relieve whatever it is that is bothering them medically.
What makes peppermint such a medicinal garden essential is the fact that it is naturally rich in vitamins A and C, manganese and it helps reduce a number of symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomachs, fevers, flatulence and spastic colon.
9. Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most beloved and popular herbal medicines in eastern countries. What makes ginseng such a great addition to your medicinal plants garden is the fact that it promotes general health instead of just being useful for a particular type of ailment.
It’s the root of the ginseng which is particularly useful in relaxing the nervous system [Benefits of ginseng]. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels, improve your immune system and stamina, and helps treat lack of appetite and sleep disorders.
10. Sage
Both a cooking herb and a medicinal plant, sage is a great salve for insect bites, skin infections, gum infections and mouth infections. It can also help with indigestion, flatulence, depression and even menopausal problems.
The Latin name, where sage was derived from, means ‘to heal’, which is an apt description for many ailments that can be resolved using this lush herb which doubles up as a medicinal plant.
These are just some of the top medicinal herb plants which can serve as a great addition to your garden space. Aside from giving your dwelling that green and homey feel, these medicinal plants have a variety of uses for whatever it is that is ailing you – so taking care of them and seeing all that greenery thrive later on is definitely worth all your gardening efforts.
About the Author
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for AllergyAsthmaZone.com. Allergy Asthma blog helps you learn everything you need to know about allergy relief. Know more about asthma control & protect yourself to improve your quality of life. Visit Allergy Asthma Blog
Tori Amos - Icicle (Live in Moscow Crocus City Hall 2010 - 09.03)
THREE FACES, THREE FACES, THREE FACES, THREE FACES, THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
THREE FACES
(1)
It was a mix of demons. Honour killing to save the damaged inside. You were found in lotus position, hands tied, buried in a hole.
(2)
The twin plants: god and goddess of procreativity were shedding trumpet-shaped pink flowers. Honey suckle would allow the honey to be sucked till the breasts remove the macula.
(3)
Moment of lifetime moves itself against the time putting the stamens of crocus on the forehead of the sinner.
Satish Verma
----------------------------
About the Author
Satish Verma is ferociously original. You feel resentment, outrage and violence, cannot pin it down but wonderfully spin your brain. Satish has the greatest sensibility which sweetly exploits the delicacies of human conflicts. His scions, doctors and engineers are living in USA. He chose to live back in his beloved country and resides in Ajmer (INDIA) with his spouse Kanta running the Charitable Holistic Institute of SEWA MANDIR FOUNDATION. He can also be reached at kantasatish@gmail.com. 5-A ii, Mayoor Colony, Alwar Gate, Ajmer – 305007 INDIA Mobile +91 9829071468
all salvia contain salvinorin a the last link will tell you more but from personal experience i did not like this high and a have smoked it and eaten the leaf it is a very short high and not worth it to me but you might like it their are many links on the net about salvia if you want to know more just google it
Seedlings sprouting pre-maturely where the rest hasn't?
I bought this mini Burpee's Seed Quick Start mini greenhouse. I got Sunflowers, Sweet Peas, and a mixed kit. They all say germination takes between 7~14 days.
It's only been 4 days and the Mixed Kit is already starting to sprout. Yet the rest haven't. Any advice?
*the Mixed Kit has 75% Zinnia elegans 'Envy'; 15% of Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' and 10% of Verbena bonariensis*
Some seeds just sprout earlier. Most of my plants say 7-14 days on the packets but some sprouted as early as 3 days if the conditions were right. There is nothing wrong with this happening and is quite normal.
Lucky Money Tree Signs or Placements that are GOOD with Running their OWN BUSINESSES?
OR just being lucky with MONEY. It seems that their money grows in trees?
Thanks Still Knuckled!!! Do you mind answering this one?:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtsiebNgTORTNoM.9L3wDJ_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091128120341AACKLjR
Capricorn is the sign of business and career, so they would be the best at running a business. Any earth sign would probably be good at managing a business because they are practical and Virgo especially are very detail oriented, plus they naturally work hard. Lucky with money would involve aspects to Jupiter, or Jupiter in the 2nd or Taurus. Jupiter in the 5th refers to money made from gambling and sports.
How often should I be misting them? I haven't misted them in the past, but I've heard that it really helps and a few of mine have been drying up at the tips.
I mist my houseplants daily in the summer and only to foilar feed in the winter every week or two.
My home runs 10% humidity in the summer because of A/C but in the winter my humidity stays around 40% with the humidifier turned up. If you don't have the luxury of high humidity like mine a daily misting would be welcomed by all the plants you list.
The tip burn is most likely caused by chlorine in your tap water or salt buildup in the soil. Letting your water sit overnight eliminates the chlorine problem and re-potting will address the salts.
