Verbena

Verbena is a genus in the family Verbenaceae. It contains about 250 species of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants. The majority of the species are native to the New World from Canada south to southern Chile, but some are also native in the Old World, mainly in Europe.

from Wikipedia:
Verbena has long been associated with divine and other supernatural forces. It was called "tears of Isis" in Ancient Egypt, and later on "Juno's tears". In Ancient Greece, it was dedicated to Eos Erigineia. In the early Christian era, folk legend stated that Common Vervain (V. officinalis) was used to staunch Jesus' wounds after his removal from the cross. It was consequently called "Holy Herb".

Care - it's simple and easy to grow, blooming from Spring to Autumn.

Watering: regular when newly planted and until plant is well established. Then, water when it's dry.
Seeds may take up to a month to germinate, so it takes some patience in the beginning.

When it starts blooming. you'll have to remove the faded blooms so that it will go on blooming.

It needs much sun and for many hours a day, so you could also plant it in the garden. Just make sure to leave enough space (~15cm) between plants.
Fertilizing isn't necessary more than once a year.

Didiscus (Lace Flower)

Didiscus is an annual that can be grown in greenhouses or outdoors. It is a native of Australia.

Seeds may be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before frost-free weather. Watering is crucial in that phase.
When the soil is warm, they can be sown outdoors too.

After repotting:

Didiscus need a sunny spot and light, well-drained, moist soil. They should be planted 6 to 8 inches apart and the stems

supported with thin sticks. They won't do well in very hot summers.

They need plenty of fresh air all the time and full exposure to sun.

Watering: as mentioned before, the soil must be kept moist.

*Picking off the dead flowers will increase the blooms.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium (tropaeolum majus) contains some 80 species. There is also a plant called nasturtium (watercresses).

They don't need special care, which makes them ideal for beginners.

*They need full sun and good drainage.

*Sow Nasturtium seeds with warm weather, early spring/early summer.

Water immediately after planting.

*Water weekly, but do not feed the plant any fertilizer (it will only make them blomm less!).

Most varieties spread rapidly, though you can grow them at flower boxes too sometimes (e.g. Peach Melba variety). They also don't like being transplanted.

Lisianthus

Lisianthus or Eustoma is a genus of 3 species, found in warm regions of the Southern United States, Mexico, Caribbean and northern South America.
They are herbaceous annuals, growing to 15 – 60 cm tall, with bluish green, slightly succulent leaves, and large funnel shaped flowers growing on long straight stems.

Eustoma grandiflorum is particularly popular.

Care Tips:

* Outside or inside, full sunshine - many hours a day.
* Water every day or almost every day.
* May need to move it to a larger pot, especially if you notice the leaves are wilting.
* Prefer sandy soil.

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus



Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly called the garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium sized flowering herbaceous plant sometimes grown in gardens.
It can be found in the wild in much of North America.
It originated in Mexico, where Spanish Priests cultivated it in their gardens.

There are many varieties in cultivation today, such as:
Sensation, Versailles, Sonata, Daydream (the one in the picture) etc.


Care:

* It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.5.
* Flowering is best in full sun, although partial shade is tolerated
* The plant is tolerant to drought after germination, and is seldom subject to insect or disease damage


The flowers of Cosmos attract butterflies

Lovely Jasmin

As many of you know, I started this blog mainly as a sort of dedication to my grandmother, when she started being ill. The reason, obviously, was her great love for flowers.
Trying to discover a new flower everytime, one that she wouldn't already have gotten as a present, was indeed a challenging task.
And that's how I learned more about exotic or rare types of flowers.
When I lost her last September I decided to "freeze" the blog. And said goodbye with a gardenia - one of her flowers she was always very proud of. Also, one of the flowers she would always give me -wrapped in a napkin- "to keep on my desk".

However, life goes on, and frozen is the last adjective that fits in. It would take nothing more and nothing less than a blog meme to remind me of this eternal truth.

It was the "Lovely Blog Award" I received today from Katerina Ante Portas - one of my oldest and dearest blog friends.



Katerina, once again, I really appreciate it.
So, it's no surprise that yours will be the first blog I'll mention.

Here are my 3 Lovely Blog Awards, to my first three (female) friends in the blogosphere:

*~ Katerina Ante Portas

*~ Marina

*~ Ellinida

(Girls, if you want to play/play again, you just need to mention it and award it to the blogs you find lovely!)




And, well, that would be no award without a flower.
My chinese jasmine, bought about a month ago (in a picture with a slightly nostalgic effect).
No matter what instructions they give you, the most essential is always the one:
"handle with care".

Grandma's gardenia