We work hard here at Stein Your Florist Co., but we like to have
fun too! Yesterday employee Chris left his keys unattended in the shop while he
diligently cared for the plants in our greenhouse…
Chris is a good sport, we had a good time, and the “eyes”
definitely have it!
feeling that you’re being watched?
Day 281 - If you grew up in the Pacific Northwest you likely know what
ferns are good for: treating stinging nettles. One of the world’s oldest
plants, there are many varieties of ferns, but if you’re lucky enough to spy
the soft, delicate lady fern, grab some and roll it up between your palms into
a rough mash. The juices released will quickly ease stinging nettle burns and
can also ease minor cuts, stings and burns (fresh salt water also works in a
pinch for bee stings). Bracken fern are similar to lady fern and will work, as
well. The rougher, glossier, stiff sword fern and deer fern won’t be as
effective, though. Lady ferns actually grow all over North America but are
common in areas with high rainfall.
Day 283 - Famous
for making cats deliriously crazy, catnip has health properties that are great
for humans, too. Catnip can relieve cold symptoms (helpful if you’re on a camping
trip and don’t have access to Nyquil). It’s useful in breaking a fever as it
promotes sweating. Catnip also helps stop excessive bleeding and swelling when
applied rather than ingested. This mint plant is also reportedly helpful in
treating gas, stomach aches, and migraines. Catnip can stimulate uterine contractions,
so it should not be consumed by pregnant women.
Day 285 – These #Jerseyfresh lovelies
are Teddy Bear Sunflowers. Teddy Bear’s have lots of short, fluffy petals that
are soft to the touch (don’t you just want to pet them?). Golden yellow fully double 6” blooms,
well-suited for mild borders, containers and cut flower bouquets. Uniform
bush-like plants flower mid-summer on. The ripe heads are attractive to birds. Of course, the most famous representation
of sunflowers has to be the Vincent van Gogh series of paintings, some of which
include the Teddy Bear variety!
Day 276 - Carnations, also known as Dianthus
caryophyllus, have long been brewed into teas that may help alleviate stress
and nervousness. Carnations grown, cultivated and dried into tea brews have
also been used to treat minor depression and fatigue. In Europe, folk medicine
relied on infusions or teas brewed of carnations to help relieve nervousness
and some coronary disorders, as well as for nausea caused by seasickness.
Day 280 - According to some ancient
Aztec homeopathic remedies, carnations were used by this Indian culture as a
diuretic when taken in an infusion of carnation flower petals in hot water. The
ancient Indian tribe also used carnations for treatment and relief of chest
congestion and diseases by taking about 1 tbsp. of the flower petals mixed with
sugar and boiled in a syrup every three hours.
Day 271 - The
name Pittosporum comes from the Greek words 'pitta' meaning "pitch"
and 'spora' meaning "seed" in reference to the sticky seeds of many
members of the genus. Pittosporum, a native foliage of New Zealand, also
available from Florida, has found its way into the hearts of floral designers
for its wide range of colors and textures. An excellent item for use as a
filler in arrangements and bouquets, beautifully complementing other flowers.
Due to the dramatic appearance of many of the varieties, they are also
increasingly being brought to the fore of arrangements as a feature item.
Day 275 - Long-leaved phlox
was used medicinally by several Native American tribes. A decoction of pounded
roots was rubbed all over the body for colds or aches & given to babies
with stomachaches. An infusion of the whole plant was given to anemic children.
An infusion of mashed roots was taken for diarrhea. A decoction of the entire
plant was taken for stomach disorders, and an infusion of roots was given to children
for stomachaches. Externally, a decoction of leaves was put on boils, and an
infusion or decoction of roots was used as an eyewash.
Day 266 - A
number of species of zinnia are popular flowering plants. Their varied habits
allow for uses in several parts of a garden, and their tendency to attract
butterflies and hummingbirds is seen as desirable. A number of species of
zinnia are popular flowering plants. Their varied habits allow for uses in
several parts of a garden, and their tendency to attract butterflies and
hummingbirds is seen as desirable. Their ability to attract hummingbirds is
also seen as useful as a defense against whiteflies, and therefore zinnias are
a desirable companion plant, benefiting plants that are intercropped with it.
Zinnias are grown in the summer.
Day 270 -
Variegation is the appearance of differently colored zones in the leaves, and
sometimes the stems, of plants. This may be due to a number of causes. Some
variegation is attractive and ornamental and gardeners tend to preserve these.
The term is also sometimes used to refer to color zonation in flowers,
minerals, and the skin, fur, feathers or scales of animals.
Day 262 -
Poppies can grow to be over 4 feet tall, and 6 inches across. The petals are
showy, may be of almost any color and some have markings. The petals are
crumpled in the bud and as blooming finishes, the petals often lie flat before
falling away. The poppy will become dormant after blooming. Poppies are in full
bloom late spring to early summer.
Day 263 -
Poppies are rich in oil, carbohydrates, calcium, and protein. Poppy oil is
often used as cooking oil, salad dressing oil, or in products such as margarine.
Poppy oil can also be added to spices for cakes, or breads. Poppy products are
also used in different paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics.
Day 265 -
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to
relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain both morphine and codeine, which are
pain-relieving drugs that are still used today. Poppy seeds and fixed oils can
also be nonnarcotic because when they are harvested, they are after the capsule
has lost the opium yielding potential. The morphine practically disappears from
the seeds twenty days after the flower has opened.
Day 256 - In
1846 the Caledonia Horticultural Society of Edinburgh, offered a prize of 2,000
pounds to the first person producing a blue dahlia. The color has never been
produced. While dahlias produce anthocyanin, an element necessary for color
production, to achieve a true blue color in a plant, the anthocyanin
delphinidin needs six hydroxyl groups. To date dahlias have only developed
five, so the closest that breeders have come to achieving a "blue"
specimen are variations of mauve, purples and lilac hues.
Day 258 -
Kangaroo paw is a common name for a number of species, in two genera of the
family Haemodoraceae, that are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.
These perennial plants are noted for their unique bird attracting flowers. The
tubular flowers are coated with dense hairs and open at the apex with six
claw-like structures: from this paw formation the common name "Kangaroo
Paw" is derived.
Day 260 - The
Poppy is an angiosperm or flowering plant of the family Papaveraceae.
Ornamental poppies are grown for their colorful flowers; some varieties of
poppy are used as food, whilst other varieties produce the powerful medicinal
alkaloid opium which has been used since ancient times to create analgesic and
narcotic medicinal and recreational drugs.