Many cuisines, including our own, incorporate flowers as a matter of course. Yet it would take courage to go against the grain and create potentially edible wedding bouquets.

Commercially-grown flowers that have been chemically treated for fertility or longevity are unsuitable for eating. So are flowers that are not fully open, and those that are beginning to wilt. Bouquets must be dismantled, and flowers must be washed individually, to remove any adhering soil and insects.

Always remove anthers, styles, sepals, and stamens, unless you are certain they may be eaten. These detract from the flavour, and may cause allergic reactions.

Certain flowers, such as clover, violets, and honeysuckle may be eaten in their entirety. With nasturtiums, dandelions and other flowers, you may eat the leaves as well as the blooms. However, only the petals of the tulip, lavender, rose and calendula may be eaten.

Chrysanthemums, daisies, roses and other blooms must have the white bit at the base of the petal, where it was attached to the flower, removed, since it is bitter.

Flowers from your bouquet may also be preserved for use in sweet or savoury dishes, as garnishes, or to make jams.

Jasmine: Make your own fragrant jasmine tea or rice by infusing petals in hot water.

Honeysuckle: The name says it all; but remember that whereas the flowers are edible, the berries are highly poisonous.

Hibiscus: This has a citrusy flavour, the taste you would get if you combined cranberry and tangerine juices, but must be used sparingly in salads, or to prettify soups. Its petals are slightly acidic, and tend to weep colour.

Calendula: These have a flavour that is similar to saffron – yet more pungent and bitter, and peppery. They go well with rice, salads poultry, and omelettes. A few leaves processed with milk give the shake an interesting colour and a refreshing taste.

Dianthus: Use petals for their clove-like or nutmeg scent, as well as colour, in vegetable or fruit salads.

Cornflower: This has a faint, clove-like flavour and its blue colour makes it an unusual eye-catching garnish.

Nasturtiums: These have a peppery taste that goes well with quiche, chicken and fish; the leaves add pizzazz to salads. In countries where capers are considered exotic (and therefore expensive), pickled nasturtium seed pods are used instead.

Gladioli: Oddly enough the petals taste of lettuce. Placed in a glass, they make an interesting lining for individual servings of mousse or dip; always remove the anthers. They may be added to both sweet and savoury stuffing.

Lilac: With a highly floral, slightly bitter lemony flavour, this flower is best used sparingly, in raw or cooked vegetable salads.

Fuchsia: Petals have an interesting shape – and a slightly acidic flavour.

Carnations: These have a sweet, spicy flavour. Steep in white wine and remove before serving. Carnation petals are used in Chartreuse.

Chrysanthemums: The petals must be blanched before use in tisanes. They have a slightly bitter, peppery flavour, and maybe used in salads.

Pansy: These flowers taste of grass. You can use them in soups and salads.

Sunflower: The petals have a bitter-sweet flavour and taste like a cross between chrysanthemum petals and Jerusalem artichokes.

Roses: The epitome of edible flowers, their taste varies according to colour and type of bloom. The darker the colour, the more pronounced the flavour. Petals may taste vaguely of mint, spice, strawberries and green apples.

Tulip: Different varieties taste of peas, cucumbers, or lettuce. However, tulips cause strong allergic reactions in some people – and the bulbs are poisonous.

Violets: Some people don’t eat violets because they taste of perfume. They are used in fruit squashes and ice-creams, and, frosted, they are used to decorate cakes and trifles. The leaves may be boiled like spinach.

With lots of variety, Begonias are popular in flowerbeds, for hanging baskets, as container plants, and for indoor houseplants.

Begonias are prized equally for their flower as well as their showy leaves. When they are not in bloom, which is infrequent once established, their attractive, waxy green or chocolate colored leaves show themselves off wherever you have placed them.

Growing Begonias is easy. They make a good indoor houseplants as they tolerate shade well. All varieties will grow compact, dense foliage, and grow about 6-9 inches tall.

Begonias can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Seeds are very fine, dust like, and take two to three weeks to germinate. Many people will buy seedlings rather than try to start these tiny seeds. Cuttings are much easier if you want to propagate a few plants and already have one.

Begonias are annuals and do not like frost in the spring or fall. Set them out in containers, hanging baskets ,or your flowerbed after all risk of frost has past.

Begonias thrive in a range of sunlight from full sun to shade.

They like rich, loose and fertile soil which drains well. Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry before the next watering.

Begonias like attention. Remove dead flowers, leaves, and stems. Trim off long stems to help retain it’s compact shape. A little care will pay you back with lusher foliage and more blooms.

Add a general purpose fertilizer once a month. For houseplants and container plants, give them a dose of liquid fertilizer once a month instead dry fertilizer.

Begonias should have few if any problems with insects or disease.

Re-pot the plants if they appear crowded. Use rich potting soil. Help them in their transition indoors. When first brought inside, keep them near a sunny window, gradually, reducing the sunlight. This will help them to adjust indoors. Significant leaf drop is common at this point. But, in a week or two, they will be well acclimated to lower light levels and dry conditions in your home.

Roses are arguably the most beloved flowers in the world. They symbolize love, friendship, and sympathy with an elegant beauty. They’re also known for being one of the most fragile and time consuming flowers you can attempt to grow on your own. They can catch diseases like they can sway in the wind.

They are beautiful and elegant flowers, and any garden can successfully grow gorgeous, healthy roses with just some reliable information and care as well.

How to Plant Roses

When planting, you want to pick a spot that is well lit in the morning. You also want an area that is sunlit for at least 6 hours a day.

Pick an area that has plenty of well drained soil.

The first 3 – 4 weeks after planting , water them often. Roses need a lot of hydration and food to remain healthy.

Begin fertilization approximately 3 months after planting.
Planting in the Spring is the best.

Plant in an area that is well circulated with air,as they will not grow in an enclosed or tight area.

Cymbidium orchid plants came in a wide range of colors, including reds, yellows, whites and others.

And now they are grown for the florist industry because of their large flowers, over 5 inches. Their lifespan of the Cymbidiums is about seven weeks. There are other Cymbidiums flowers which do not have large flowers, but have an intermediate size. One of these is the Cymbidium Royale.

They grow well outdoors and can take cool temperatures and even a short freeze, to about -2 degrees Celcius. Cymbidium orchid plants usually bloom from February to May. During the summer months they will do better with cooler soil at night.

Water them well especially during their growth period, between March through September. After this you can water the Cymbidium orchid plants less but not allowing them to dry out. Let the orchids get pot bound and the psueodpods can get pushed out to the edges of the pot.

These plants need good lighting for good growth.Also, year round fertilizer is necessary. You can use a liquid fertilizer which is balanced or even a timed release version. During the Cymbidium orchid plants growth phase you will need to give them a supplement fertilizer as well.

 The are two groups of Anthurium grown in greenhouses: flowering varieties and those with magnificent foliage. The only ones you’re likely to see in the garden center are the flowering varieties with their multicolored spathes and red or yellow tail like flower spikes.

But if you are intrepid, you might come across a few of the large leaved, deeply veined foliage types. Native to tropical rainforests throughout Central and South America, many anthuriums are climbers and all that they need is a very high humdity and warming.

Growing Conditions

Anthurium need bright and indirect light, except in the winter,
As for the compost it must be kept moist at all times, but not drenched,
The temperature must be over 16ºC otherwise the Anthurium will suffer,
The soil has to be rich for their roots,
To fertilize the Anthurium use liquid fertilizers throughout the growing period or pellets during the Spring season.

Propagation

Divide during repotting, or take cuttings from the tip or stem. These can be cut off at the soil level and potted into new pots. Leaves will emerge from the old stem.

This South African native is known primarily as a florist flower, but is becoming popular for outdoors in containers and in cutting gardens. The broad, trumpet like flowers come in a range of colors from white to yellow to rose and burgundy. The sword like green foliage often has attractive white freckles. Some popular varieties include salmon colored ‘Cameo’, pink colored ‘Superba’, bright yellow ‘Golden’, and the classic ‘White’.

Callas look great planted under trees and in other protected spots with shade loving plants such as the caladium. They are also attractive in pots and planters, providing a late summer surprise when other flowers begin to fade.

Planting and Care

Plant callas outdoors in a location that gets bright, morning light. They appreciate some afternoon shade especially in hot summer areas. Callas grow best in a moist soil amended with organic matter. Fertilize monthly, keep well watered and weeded.

In colder areas, callas, lift the rhizomes after first frost, clean off excess soil, let dry out of the direct sun for a few days, then store in a dry location that remains between 50 and 60 degrees F. Plant in spring after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.

Musk Mallow seeds can be sown outdoors in either early spring or in early spring. Once sown the Musk Mallow, and other Malva members, seed should be covered. Ideally Malva plants like to grow in an area that is sunny, but can tolerate partially shaded areas in warm areas. The soil should be dry and have good drainage.

If you prefer to first grow Musk Mallow indoors then start growing them about 7 or 8 weeks in advance. They take from one to three weeks to germinate at about 21 degrees Celsius. Once growing they should be transplanted into the garden at a spacing distance of 25cm to 60cm.

Caring for musk mallow – Malva

Members of the Malva genus such as Musk Mallow are easy to look after; they should be watered and fertilized frequently; Once the growing season is over in the autumn it is best to cut the Malva plants back to ground level. If you require more musk mallow but do not want to grow them from seeds then they can be propagated by taking cuttings in the spring, or by division of the plants in the autumn.

Asters are an easy to grow, but needs full sun. Asters come in blues, purples and a variety of pinks. All Asters are yellow in the center of the flower. They are daisy like in appearance, even though they are a member of the sunflower family.

Asters come in a wide variety, with some less than a foot tall, while others are two feet tall or more. Both large and smaller varieties make good cut flowers for vases and arrangements.

Aster plants will grow well in average soils, but, like all plants, they will reward your with bigger blooms and a healthier plant if you add plenty of compost. Also, add a general purpose of fertilizer once a month.

Once your Aster are established, they should grow well for years. Soil should be moist, but not wet. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week to keep growth vibrant.

Around the middle to late summer, your plants will begin to produce flowers and will continue to do so until frost. You do not need to remove dead flower blooms, except to improve plant appearance.

Cuttings for Indoors:

Asters have sturdy stalks that make them good candidates for flower vases and other arrangements. Cut the stem low, check for insects hiding in the flower, on the stem and under the leaves. Bring them indoors and place in water immediately.

For smaller varieties, use a small container or vase and cut stem a couple inches long. Bunch up a variety of colors for an eye-appealing arrangement.

Insect and Disease:

Asters are somewhat resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.

 January’s flower is the Carnation.

 Botanical Names: Dianthus Caryophyllus
Other Names: Carn, Chinese Pink
Description: A delicate multi-petaled single flower atop a long stem.
Colors: pink, white, red, yellow, orange, green
Season: All year round
Meaning: Fascination, admiration, pure love, my heart yearns for you, a mother’s love.
Bloom Size: 18 to 24 inches in height
Color Pattern: solid, striped, bi-color, frosted
Facts: Carnations symbolize many things. Pink carnations are said to have first appeared on Earth when a tear fell from the Virgin Mary’s eye when Jesus Christ was carrying the cross. According to Christian legend, the flower was said to have sprung up from the Earth when her tear hit the ground, therefore the pink carnation represents a Mother’s undying love.

 February’s flower is the Violet.

 Botanical Names: Saintpaulia
Other Names: African Violet
Description: A five petaled velvety blossom.
Colors: purple, pink, white
Season: All year round
Meaning: Named for Baron Walter Von Saint Paul Illaire who discovered the plant in Tanzania in 1892. Modesty, faithfulness, virtue.
Bloom Size: unknown
Color Pattern: solid
Facts: One of the most popular flowering houseplants.

 March’s flower is the Daffodil.

 Botanical Names: Narcissus
Other Names: Jonquil, Narcissus
Description: A trumpet shaped blossom surrounded by petals usually of a contrasting color.
Colors: yellow-white, yellow-orange, pink, lime green
Season: Late Fall to Spring
Meaning: Based on the Greek mythology character, Narcissus, who was known to be so arrogant that when he looked into a mirror he fell in love with his reflection. He was later said to have been turned into the flower. Chivalry, respect, you are my only one, the sun shines when I’m with you, unrequited love.
Bloom Size: 3 to 4 inches in diameter
Color Pattern: bi-color
Facts: National flower of Wales. Flowers are fragrant. Some species have frilly petals. Many poets such as Oscar Wilde and William Wordsworth have written about this flower. It is said that Prince Charles receives one Daffodil annually as payment for the unused land in Sicily.

 April’s flower is the Daisy.

 Botanical Names: Dendranthema X Grandiflorum
Other Names: Chrysanthemum, mum
Description: A multi-branched stem containing multiple blossoms.
Colors: purple, pink, white, red, magenta, bronze
Season: All year round
Meaning: Named by Carolis Linnaeus in the 17th Century. Cheerfulness, you’re a wonderful friend, rest, loveliness, optimisim, abundance, wealth. Red means love. Yellow means slighted love and white means truth.
Bloom Size: varies
Color Pattern: solid
Facts: There is a festival of happiness in Japan to celebrate this flower. In Europe, Chrysanthemum is a symbol of death and are used only for funerals or on graves. Flowers are used to make a sweet drink known as chrysanthemum tea. In Asia the tea is used for many medical uses such as and aid in recovery from influenza.

 May’s flower is the Lily-of-the-Valley.

 Botanical Names: Convallaria majalis
Other Names: May Bells , Our Lady’s Tears
Description: Small bell like blooms on a short delicate stem.
Colors: white, pink
Season: All year round
Meaning: Sweetness, you complete my life, return of happiness.
Bloom Size: 5 to 10 mm in diameter
Color Pattern: solid
Facts: Is said to have been the favorite flower of Queen Victoria. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Very popular for weddings and corsage designs.

 June’s flower is the Rose.

 Botanical Names: Rosa
Other Names: Sweetheart Rose, Hybrid Tea Rose
Description: A multi-petaled blossom that ranges in size. Comes as a single blossom atop a thorny stem ranging from 12 to 40 inches high. Stem size and blossom count varies depending on the variety.
Colors: hues of red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, white
Season: All year round
Meaning: All roses are symbolic for love, however each color has a separate meaning. Red means love, respect, courage. Pink means grace, perfect happiness. Dark pink means gratitude. Light pink means admiration, sympathy. White means innocence, purity, secrecy, I’m worthy of you, you’re heavenly, humility. Yellow means undying lover, platonic love, friendship. Orange means passion, desire. Blue means extraordinary, mystery. Red and White means unity.
Bloom Size: On average 2 to 5 inches in diameter
Color Pattern: solid, bi-color
Facts: Many rose varieties produce a sweet fragrance. Rose perfumes are made by steam distilling crushed rose petals which produces essential oils. Very popularly used in Persia, Bulgaria, Iran and Germany. The rose is the National flower of England, the provincial flower of Alberta and the State flower of Iowa, North Dakota, Georgia and New York. Portland, Oregon holds an annual Rose Festival. The rose is often used as a symbol for the Virgin Mary. The most popular and well known cut flower. Used in floral arrangements, wedding and corsage work by florists. Red roses are the most sought after flower for a Valentine’s Day gift. Monk’s cultivated rose bushes after the crusades for medicinal uses. Rose water was successful in curing ailments such as trembling, constipation, drunkenness, insomnia and skin and throat infections. There is no such rose with a true blue or a true black color. Black roses are generally a deep, deep red where as blue roses are typically purple.

 Botanical Names: Rosa
Other Names: Miniatures
Description: A multi-petaled blossom that ranges in size. Comes as a multiple flower branching from the stem. Stem size and blossom count varies depending on the variety.
Colors: hues of red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, white
Season: All year round
Meaning: All roses are symbolic for love, however each color has a separate meaning. Red means love, respect, courage. Pink means grace, perfect happiness. Dark pink means gratitude. Light pink means admiration, sympathy. White means innocence, purity, secrecy, I’m worthy of you, you’re heavenly, humility. Yellow means undying lover, platonic love, friendship. Orange means passion, desire. Blue means extraordinary, mystery. Red and White. means unity.
Bloom Size: On average 2 to 5 inches in diameter
Color Pattern: solid, bi-color
Facts: Many rose varieties produce a sweet fragrance. Rose perfumes are made by steam distilling crushed rose petals which produces essential oils. Very popularly used in Persia, Bulgaria, Iran and Germany. The rose is the National flower of England, the provincial flower of Alberta and the State flower of Iowa, North Dakota, Georgia and New York. Portland, Oregon holds an annual Rose Festival. The rose is often used as a symbol for the Virgin Mary. The most popular and well known cut flower. Used in floral arrangements, wedding and corsage work by florists. Red roses are the most sought after flower for a Valentine’s Day gift. Monk’s cultivated rose bushes after the crusades for medicinal uses. Rose water was successful in curing ailments such as trembling, constipation, drunkenness, insomnia and skin and throat infections. There is no such rose with a true blue or a true black color. Black roses are generally a deep, deep red where as blue roses are typically purple.

 July’s flower is the Water Lily.

 Botanical Names: Delphinium elatuem
Other Names: Candle Delphinium, Larkspur
Description: Spikes with clusters of trumpet shaped, disc shaped or dolphin shaped flowers.
Colors: blue, lavender, red, white, pink, purple
Season: All year round
Meaning: Comes from the Greek word, delphis meaning dolphin. Flight of fancy, ardent attachment, agility.
Bloom Size: 8 to 20 inches long
Color Pattern: solid, spotted, striped
Facts: Extracts of the plant has been used in herbal medicine. Often used as filler in arrangements. The juices of the flower will create a blue ink when mixed with alum.

 August’s flower is the Gladiolus.

 Botanical Names: Gladiolus communis ssp. byzanthinus
Other Names: Sword lily, Glads
Description: Large, thick stems with six to eight tightly packed blossoms on only one side. Blossoms shape and texture vary from fringed to ruffled to trumpet shaped to rosebuds.
Colors: pink, red, white, orange, yellow, purple, bi-color
Season: All year round
Meaning: Gladiolus is Latin for sword. Graceful, strong sense of character.
Bloom Size: 2 to 8 inches in diameter
Color Pattern: solid, bi-color
Facts: Parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Very fragrant. May cause allergic reactions. Mostly used in sympathy bouquets.

 September’s flower is the Aster.

 Botanical Names: Aster Ericoides
Other Names: September Flower, Monte Casino, Rainbow Aster
Description: Dainty, daisy-like flowers used for filler.
Colors: white, pink, lavender, red, purple
Season: Mid Summer to Early Fall
Meaning: Comes from the Greek word meaning star. Symbol of love, daintiness, after thought.
Bloom Size: Dime-sized
Color Pattern: solid
Facts: Over 600 species. Attracts bees, butterflies, and/or birds.

 October’s flowers are Cosmos.

 Botanical Names: Cosmos bipinnatus
Other Names: Mexican Aster, Chocolate Cosmo
Description: A single flower atop a delicate, sometimes hairy stem.
Colors: white, red, pink, brown, orange, yellow, purple
Season: Summer to Fall
Meaning: Comes from the Latin word kosmos meaning beautiful.
Bloom Size: 2 inches in diameter
Color Pattern: solid, striped, bi-color
Facts: Hummingbirds are very attracted to this flower. Very fragrant. Chocolate cosmos even smell like chocolate. Are suitable for drying.

 November’s flower is the Chrysanthemum.

 Botanical Names: Dendranthema X Grandiflorum
Other Names: Daisy, mums, pompons, spider daisy, football mum
Description: Stems can contain multiple blooms or one flower.
Colors: purple, pink, white, yellow, magenta, red, bronze
Season: All year round
Meaning: Named by Carolis Linnaeus in the 17th Century. Cheerfulness, you’re a wonderful friend, rest, loveliness, optimisim, abundance, wealth. Red means love. Yellow means slighted love and white means truth.
Bloom Size: varies
Color Pattern: solid
Facts: There is a festival of happiness in Japan to celebrate this flower. In Europe, Chrysanthemum is a symbol of death and are used only for funerals or on graves. Flowers are used to make a sweet drink known as chrysanthemum tea. In Asia the tea is used for many medical uses such as and aid in recovery from influenza.

 December’s flowers are Narcissus.

 Botanical Names: Narcissus poeticus actaea
Other Names: Narcissi
Description: Small multi-petaled blossom, similar to the daffodil.
Colors: white, pink, yellow, orange
Season: Fall to Spring
Meaning: Comes from the Greek word Narcissus meaning numbness. Self-esteem and vanity.
Bloom Size: 12 to 18 inches in height
Color Pattern: solid, bi-color
Facts: Flowers are extremely fragrant. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. All daffodils are narcissi but not all narcissi are daffodils. Galanthine, a substance in the flowers is currently being used in medicine to treat Alzheimers.