annuals

Pictures of Flowers Larkspur Pictures and Larkspur Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 22, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Larkspur Pictures and Larkspur Kind

Larkspur is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the buttercup family native from Western Europe through the Mediterranean region east to central Asia. The plants grow best in deep, rich loan soil in the places well exposed to sunlights.

Larkspur is a favorite flower among the gardeners and florists. One of its petals, which look like sepal, is elongated into a spur. The spur resembles the spur of a lark’ back toe and thus the name larkspur. Larkspur is an annual species that grows wild throughout the world where the climate is mild. Besides the regular species, more than 1000 hybrid varieties are developed all over the world. Flowers are closely held on tall spikes that often grow to a height of 5-6 feet. Each flower comprises of single or double row of brightly colored sepals, blue being the most common while purple, pink, white, scarlet and yellow may also occur. Inside the spur, there are two sacs filled with nectar that attract bees and hummingbirds.

Pictures of Flowers Larkspur Pictures and Larkspur Kind

Pictures of Flowers Gentian Pictures and Gentian Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 21, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Gentian Pictures and Gentian Kind

Gentian is a large genus of about 400 species of flowering plants native to alpine habitats of temperate regions Asia, Europe and America. Few species of gentians also occur in northwest Africa, Eastern Australia and New Zealand. Gentians are annuals, perennials and biennials, some being evergreens. Several species are difficult to grow away from their wild habitats. Gentians are hardy plants that grow best in full sun or partial shade in neutral to acidic and well-drained soils. The plants are most popular in rock gardens.

Yellow gentians grow abundantly on the slopes of the Alps and the Pyrenees mountains in Europe. The plant grows to a height of 3-4 feet. Leaves are opposite or arranged in a basal rosette. Flowers are trumpet shaped and usually deep blue in color, white, red, creamy and yellow being also common. Blue colored species are dominant in Northern Hemisphere and white flowered species are common in New Zealand. Some of the species of gentians especially the roots have excellent medicinal and healing properties. Besides, the plant is also used as a flavoring agent in soft drinks.

Pictures of Flowers Gentian Pictures and Gentian Kind

Pictures of Flowers Flowering Maple Pictures and Flowering Maple Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 21, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Flowering Maple Pictures and Flowering Maple Kind

Flowering Maple is a genus of about 150 species herbs and shrubs native to temperate regions of Africa, Asia and North and South America. It is a large genus of broad leaf evergreens in the mallow family. The genus includes annuals, perennials that grow about 1-10 meter tall. Leaves are unlobed or lobed with 3-7 lobes. Leaves are usually heart shaped. Flowers are conspicuous with five petals that are mostly red, pink, yellow, white or orange. Flowers grow in clusters.

The name flowering maple comes from maple shaped leaves of the plant. However, the genus is not related to true maples. Chinese bell flower, Chinese lantern, Mallow and Indian mallow are few common names of the species. Flowering maples can be found abundantly in the tropical and subtropical regions of all the continents. Majority of the genus of mallow family are herbaceous perennials with some or the other economic uses; however, none of the species is a crop plant.

Pictures of Flowers Flowering Maple Pictures and Flowering Maple Kind

Pictures of Flowers Coreopsis Pictures and Coreopsis Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 16, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Coreopsis Pictures and Coreopsis Kind

Coreopsis is a large group of plants related to sunflower family. Commonly known as tickseed, Coreopsis has about 35 species, out of which 28 species are native to North America and the rest come from South and Central America. Coreopsis flowers are usually yellow with a toothed tip. The plants have showy flowerhead with involucral bracts in two distinct series of eight each, outer being commonly connate at the base. Plants grow from 1.5 to 4 feet high. Yellow, red or maroon flowers look like daisies and grow on slender stems. Coreopsis is the Greek term meaning bedbug.

Majority of the Coreopsis plants are perennials that live for several years while few of the species are annuals and live only for one season. Annual Coreopsis is often called as calliospsis. Gardeners often cultivate both annuals and perennials varieties of Coreopsis. Mouse-ear Coreopsis, California tickseed, large flowered tickseed, giant Coreopsis, greater tickseed, Texas tickseed, pink tickseed, plains Coreopsis, tall tickseed, rock tickseed and moonbeam Coreopsis are few of the commonly known Coreopsis species.

Pictures of Flowers Coreopsis Pictures and Coreopsis Kind

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Pictures of Flowers Artichoke Pictures and Artichoke Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 12, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Artichoke Pictures and Artichoke Kind

Artichoke is a perennial flowering plant native to Southern Europe around the Mediterranean. The plant grows about 5-7 feet tall with deeply lobed, arching and silvery green leaves. Flowers of Artichoke develop in a large head from an edible bud with numerous triangular scales. Edible portion of the buds mainly consists of the fleshy lower potions and the base. Artichoke is a vegetable with very delicate flavor. Edible buds are sold fresh or canned and can be eaten boiled, baked, fried, stuffed and in salads and soups.

New plants of Artichoke are generally grown from sprouts or shoots of the older ones. The plants can live for years. Commercial varieties of Artichoke are usually replanted every three or four years. Although Artichoke is technically a perennial but certain species are also grown as annuals that provide a limited harvest at the end of the first growing season. Commercial Artichoke requires good soil, regular watering and feeding in addition to frost protection during winter. Peak season for Artichoke harvesting is the spring. Under standard conditions, Artichoke can remain fresh for two weeks. Besides its use as food, Artichoke is also an attractive plant for its bright floral display. Occasionally, Artichoke is grown in herbaceous borders for its bold foliage and large purple flowerheads.