Caryopteris ‘First Choice’
‘First Choice’ is a compact, mounded shrub with vertical spires that are densely covered in beautiful inky-blue buds that open to reveal an even more beautiful violet-blue flower. These blue flowers are very fragrant and are paired with beautiful silvery-gray deciduous foliage. ‘First Choice’ starts blooming earlier and blooms longer than other Caryopteris. The strong fragrance and bright color attracts butterflies as well as many other beneficial insects.

Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’
‘Sunshine Blue’ is a small, dense shrub similar to ‘First Choice,’ but with golden foliage. Like ‘First Choice,’ the blossoms make excellent cut flowers. ‘Sunshine Blue’ has a strong growing habit and blooms well into the fall with clusters of deep blue, fragrant flowers. The combination of blue flowers with gold foliage gives a contrast unlike anything else in your garden.

Planting and Care
‘First Choice’ and ‘Sunshine Blue’ are known for their low maintenance and disease resistance. Planting them in areas with well-drained or even dry soil and full sun will provide you with the most spectacular bloom. Caryopteris is extremely drought tolerant. They will perform well in very light shade, but will not tolerate wet soil especially in winter. Lightly prune after the initial bloom to encourage re-bloom. Both ‘First Choice’ and ‘Sunshine Blue’ are small shrubs that grow to 36″ tall and wide. They are ideal in a flower bed, as a hedge, as a specimen planting or incorporated into a foundation planting. Masses of three to five plants are particularly attractive.

To view Caryopteris ‘First Choice’ and ‘Sunshine Blue’ visit the Carroll Gardens website.

Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America’s preeminent nurseries, having introduced more than 20 new perennials and woody shrubs over the years and reintroduced numerous “lost” cultivars back to American gardeners.

Carroll Gardens publishes a weekly online newsletter written by Alan. It contains valuable gardening advice and tips and answers to customer questions. Click here to sign up for the Carroll Gardens weekly enewsletter.

Every Saturday, Alan hosts a call-in gardening forum on WCBM radio - 680 AM. For those outside of the WCBM listening area, they can listen to radio show via the internet.

Visit CarrollGardens.com to learn more.

There is quite a chasm between Autumnal flowers and Winter flowers in terms of colour, style and fragrance. However, some blooms are clearly suitable for either season and - depending on the colour - can be incorporated into a winter or autumn themed wedding.

Obvious choices for Autumn may be berries with plenty of dark green, brown, orange and gold foliage. Equally though, purples, dark pinks, burgundies and anything in chocolate browns look quite at home during the Autumn season. In fact, if there is an introduction of a different colour it can prevent arrangements looking contrived or clich?d. If you focus your flowers around a ‘Harvest’ style theme, and work outwards from this centre point, then you can’t really go wrong. Autumn is such a great time as there is such an abundance of seeds, fruits, berries and grasses that contrast beautifully together. When choosing flowers to accompany berries, seeds, twigs and foliage choose from or combine vibrant orange Tiger Lillies, Chocolate or peach roses, honeysuckle, cream freesia, orange gerbera and ivory carnations. Your florist will help you with which flowers are seasonal if you are still unsure as to what to go for.

When it comes to winter wedding flowers and Christmas wedding flowers there is still plenty of classy choices without your reception tables and bouquets feeling tacky. Chinese lanterns, poinsettias, holly berries, Christmas Roses, Grand Prix roses, leatherleaf fern, beargrass in gold, crisp white flowers of any kind, ivory roses, Mistletoe, gold foliage, twisted branches and pine cones are to name but a few ideal choices. The most popular of all choices really is the red rose; these are the epitome of beauty, romance and seduction. Many a bride bases her entire theme on the red rose and why not? You need not be restricted to roses solely in the bouquets, they may also be used as button holes, as napkin decorations, attached to placecards, placed in bowls of water along with floating candles, on the wedding cake and petals scattered on the tables. Team the red roses with cream roses and insert diamante or pearls into their centres to give the occasion a sense of festive opulence. There is no way that when done properly, these beautiful flowers could ever look inappropriate or tacky.

So, whether you are a Autumn or a Winter bride, there are so many unique and unusual floral ideas that can be incorporated with ease into your big day. You won’t go far wrong if the flowers are in season and in keeping with the overall theme of your wedding. This includes the style of your dress, reception venue d?cor as well as the general ‘feel’ of your event - i.e. modern, simple, fairytale, lavish, funky, minimalist etc. Ensure that any floral arrangements are tied with co-ordinating ribbon to complete the look. This ribbon can also be used on napkin settings, favours and wedding cake to keep everything ‘uniform’ rather than something just thrown together.

This article is brought to you by “World of Wedding Favours” - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Wedding Favours Advice?

Roses: Roses are the popular choice when it comes to flower selection. Modern cultivators of the rose tend to emphasize color and size more than any other aspect of the flower, whereas wild roses are often characterized by a strong, sweet scent.

For thousands of years, the rose has stood as a symbol for love and beauty. But the different rose colors also represent specific sentiments. For instance, red roses symbolize love, pink signify grace, and white convey innocence, purity, and secrecy. Yellow roses represent platonic love, and orange are symbolic of passion.

Lilies: Lilies are large-flowering and showy. They are often fragrant and come in a variety of colors including white, yellow, and red. Depending on the color, lilies can signify youthful innocence, purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, beauty, wealth, pride, and prosperity.

Tulips: Tulips are native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The European use of the word “tulip” was probably taken from the Persian word for turban, as flowers were often worn in the folds of a turban. Tulip meanings include: perfect lover, hopeless love, fame, love, and passion. They can say, “Believe me,” “There is sunshine in your smile,” and “I love you.”

Iris: Deriving its name from the Latin word for rainbow, the iris is a flower that comes in many colors, as you might expect. Irises symbolize faith, wisdom, valor, promise, and hope. The fleur-de-lys also represents the Kings of France and is the official flower for the city of New Orleans.

Orchids: There are many varieties of orchids, more than any other plant family. Orchids were very popular and widely distributed in the 19th century, resulting in about 25, 000 varieties. Orchids represent love, beauty, refinement, and mature charm.

Daisies: Daisies have been admired by people for thousands of years, and used as decoration for just as much time. In ancient Greece and Egypt, this pretty flower inspired the local artists to create hairpins and ceramics decorated with its likeness. The daisy embodies notions of innocence, loyal love, purity, gentleness, and romance. It also sends the message, “I’ll never tell” to someone whose secrets you have promised to keep.

Sunflowers: It’s no surprise where the sunflower got its name - this flower always faces the sun. Originating in Central and South America, sunflowers were originally cultivated for practical uses, rather than for beauty. The sunflower has different meanings, depending on the culture. In China it is seen as a symbol of longevity, while Native Americans leave a bowl of sunflower seeds on the graves of their deceased loved ones as a sign of grief.

Carnations: Hailing from the Near East, carnations have been a part of human culture for the past 2000 years. The origins of the name are contested, but it is generally thought to derive from the Greek word “carnis”(flesh), perhaps referring to the original color for which this flower was known. Carnations are the perfect emblem of womanly love, devoted love, and admiration. Carnations say, “My heart aches for you,” and “I’ll never forget you,” so if you send someone you love a bouquet of fresh carnations you’ve made the right choice.

Flower enthusiast, Gardening hobbiest, Plant Lover
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In 1591 a botanist by the name of Carolus Clusius displayed a large collection of tulips that he had been developing for some time. He had finally amassed enough bulbs to offer some of them for sale for outrageous prices. It isn’t known if anyone was willing to pay the high prices at this time or not. Some people believe that the bulbs were stolen from his garden and were passed along to other gardens by that mean.

Whether they were purchased or stolen people somehow acquired the bulbs and developed the tulip growing industry which is still an important crop today. By 1629 the tulip had taken its place in English gardens as a must have. It was said that at that time one hundred and forty named varieties were in existence.

England wasn’t the only country were Tulipmania was spreading. Germany and France caught the fever by 1632. The wealthy were more than willing to purchase the bulbs at the very high prices. The women of the French court wore there tulips on there dresses as an expression of status and wealth. It caused frenzy as potential husbands spent enourmous amounts of money buying rare tulips to try to catch the eye of a noble lady. This was the start of the Tulipmania of Holland which ran rampant from 1634 until it passed in 1637.

It all started as a legitimate business but it quickly turned into a game of speculation much like a stock market but with less reliable results. Each week the prices increased and at the height of the madness people were willing to give there farmlands as well as mortgage there houses for the flowers. The frenzy was brought to end as the government stepped in sometime in 1637 and appointed a commission to handle the sale of tulips

Fortunately we don’t have to go to such great lengths to enjoy tulips today. We need only order an arrangement or grow them at home.

Tulips: Understated Elegance

If you think of roses as king then tulips would surely be queen. They have a understated elegance few other flowers can match. From the beginning tulips have been loved. They are also one of the first flowers of spring.

Tulips today come in a dizzying array of colors and forms. They truly are almost every color you can think of. They range from the purest snow white to pastels all the way to dark, rich reds and a couple varieties are even black. Tulips can be slender and sleek as well as wild and frilly.

A stunning tulip arrangement can be found to suit any taste. They can be sent alone or in a beautiful mixture of other flowers. Tulips are suitable for most any occasion from birthdays and anniversaries to Easter and Mother’s Day.

Katelyn Ferrall works full time for Flora Rose a full service online florist. She also publishes information about flower care and other flower topics on a regular bases on her blog also on the flora rose web site. Flora Rose offers a large selection of tulips on there online store for local delivery anywhere in the United States

Formals weddings follow tradition and custom in almost every aspect. Because of the formality and lavishness of these types of weddings, many couples like to hire a wedding planner to help coordinate details and services. Formal weddings usually take place in churches, temples, synagogues, hotel ballrooms, homes, or gardens. The following is a list of characteristics of a formal wedding:

• Traditionally-worded invitations, custom printed
• Professional and elaborate wedding photography
• Lavish sit-down or buffet-style dinner or luncheon
• Professional floral displays
• Live musicians
• Four to twelve bridal attendants (maid or matron of honor, best man, bridesmaids, one or two flower girls, ring bearer, one usher for every 50 guests)
• 150 to 400 guests

In a semiformal wedding, some of the formalities are relaxed. The location will most likely be the same, but it can also take place is a myriad of other places. Also, the wedding and reception are usually held in the same place. The main differences between a formal and semiformal wedding are:

• Semiformal weddings have fewer attendants
• Things like wedding attire, flowers, and decorations may not be so traditional or even professionally done

Informal weddings are usually second marriages. This makes for a very different atmosphere than that of a formal or even semiformal wedding. Characteristics are:

• Usually take place in daytime
• Appropriate attire is knee- or ankle-length dress or suite, white or pastel color
• Invitations can be custom designed or even handwritten
• Decorations and floral arrangements are optional (most couples still decorate with flowers, but do it themselves)
• Hors d’oeuvres, punch and champagne, and wedding cake are served rather than a full meal

Once you and your fianc? have decided on the formality of your reception, you can start planning the actual event. Remember to keep in mind these tips as you search out the services you want:

• Be sure you and your fianc? have seen the room where the wedding or reception will take place and write that room name or description on the contract; you don’t want any surprises or confusion later in the planning
• If you want to have the reception in a restaurant or hotel, remember that you may have to conform to their schedule, rules, and menu which allow for little flexibility, although it relieves you of the planning
• Private homes or gardens give more room for your wants and wishes, yet it leaves the planning up to you
• Shop around! Interview caterers and location managers, compare costs, and then decide what you want
• Get all details of the planning in writing with you and whom you have hired present.

Caprice Pettit is a staff writer for Brides Club Weddings, the fastest growing directory of local wedding Professionals in over 50 cities. Register and download your Free Wedding Planner and browse categories of Wedding Receptions, Invitations, Wedding Cake, Favors, Wedding Photographers, Limousines, Wedding Dresses, Bridal Shows, and more.

Valentines Day is the day of love and affection. It is a day devoted to all those who are delighting in a blissful romantic relationship as well to those who either desire to inaugurate or stand on the verge to commence one such liaison.

However in both the cases the manner to express your feelings holds primary significance. The choice of the gift should be such that it speaks your loving and caring heart. Many times huge and expensive gifts are not able to do that while economical things such as flowers readily solve the purpose. So it is better to be careful, avoid some of the common gift mistakes and make a prudent choice of gift. For example

1. People on the occasion of Valentines Day largely prefer Greeting Cards or E-cards. It is because they feel that writing down their feelings is the best mode to express it. Consequently the prices of Valentines Day cards touch the sky.

Cards definitely make a good Valentines Day gift but not as good as gifting a bouquet of beautiful flowers. For a card once read is of no further use. It then finds its place inside the drawer or in between the pages of a book. Whereas flowers that embellish and fill your room with fragrance are kept in front of your eyes till they dry out.
Moreover flowers do not require to be hidden from parents like cards that bear the name and feelings of the concerned person.

2. Gifting pricey mementos or souvenirs on Valentines Day is also not a wise choice. Firstly because of the expense you incur. Secondly the trouble you face and the time that is wasted in wandering from one gift shop to another.
Gifting flowers saves both your precious time and money because flowers can be easily chosen for any occasion (For instance red roses have always been emblems of love) and are not very expensive. Flowers can be conveniently sent to the desired destination through Internet too.

3. Most often guys and gals gift weight -reducing books to their beloveds. This is certainly not a judicious Valentines Day gift. Because it makes the other person feel conscious of his/her looks and of that fact that you desire to see changes in him/her. It presents your love in a ‘looks’ oriented manner.

So rather than hurting or annoying your loved ones on this day, it is better to gift them flowers that can be kept as a token of you love for long. All the changes that you want in your partner (weight loss etc.) can be taught later but on the very day of love and affection.

4. Gifting ugly looking clothes is quite popular Valentines Day gift. Since the gifts for these occasion are mostly taken clandestinely, the clothes so purchased hardly fit the concerned person. It thus turns out be a gift that is good for nothing.

5. Soft toys such as teddy bears; Barbie dolls etc. are also useless gifts for Valentines Day. Because the craze for these costly things lasts only for a few days or even 24 hours! Ultimately these bears and dolls are placed amongst their other companions.

While flowers have their own warmth and affection. The tender buds and petals best display your loving heart that is brimming with love like the nectar in the flowers.

Mansi aggarwal writes about St. Valentines Day flowers. Learn more http://www.sendflowersto.com/valentines.php

Some people say that the power of the orchid comes from its delicate features, from its strong colors and even because of it human qualities, but the fact of the matter is that most people love orchids and try to grow them as best as they can but it is rare to find people who can keep an orchid for long and really know how to take care of these delicate flowers.

In the past orchids were rare and they were abundant only in their natural living habitats, with modern times people have grown used to the fact that almost everything is delivered to every corner of the world and that even the rarest flowers or products are available to them.

Experts estimate that there are around 20 thousand different kinds of orchids, these orchids grow in many different climates and conditions and are found in many different places around the world. Anyone who is serious about growing orchids knows that light is very important, light is critical if you want your orchids to have flowers, you will need to supply the right amount of light and be very careful not to burn the orchid, even though in some aspects the orchid may seem to be very sensitive and delicate, these are actually very strong flowers, and they will survive even without light or ideal conditions, the only thing is that they will only survive and not bloom.

These basic facts brings us to a common sense conclusion, if you are interested in having orchids in your garden you will need to think about the best location for that kind of orchid and with some effort you could provide the ideal conditions for the orchid to grow in your garden.

In order to make the most of the orchids you grow you should have some basic understanding of the three main kinds of orchids you can find, as you probably understand by now, understanding the orchid plant needs will assist you in making it bloom and survive in your environment.

These are three kinds of orchids and the basic treatment that they require. Epiphytes, this kind of orchid plant will enjoy being placed on elevated position, placing the Epiphytes orchid on a high shelf or stand will provide a situation very similar to its natural habitat where it grows on trees.

Lithophytes orchids are, unlike the Epiphytes, better placed on a low space, they are known as orchids that grow on the bases of trees and they enjoy feeding on organic nutrition such as rich organic soil and discomposed mildews. Terrestrials orchids. When speaking of the Terrestrials you should know that they are the conventional varieties of orchids. Place the Terrestrials on the ground and they will plant themselves strongly and take care of their needs.

There is much more information about orchids and many different techniques to grow them better and better, this is only the tip of the iceberg, this basic knowledge is important for anyone who is interested in having lovely orchids in his garden.

Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by garden architecture, orchids, orchid garden design public parks. Daniel is writing Orchid Flower articles for http://www.ZupaTips.com

Physicians also advise expectant mothers to add omega-3’s into their diet particularly during the last trimester where most critical brain growth happens. Studies also show that boys with lower levels of omega-3 fat have greater tendencies of behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiousness or temper tantrums.

Brain cells simply need DHA to function at their highest levels. If our diets are low in omega-3 fatty acids and the brain cells do not get enough, our brains will suffer and inevitably, we will also. But when it is supplied with what it needs, the brain can function much better. The brain
is kind of like a relay race. Thought travels thru electrical signals through the brain, getting passed like a baton from one neuron to another. For a signal to enter a neuron, the signal needs to pass through the walls of the neuron, called cell membranes. These walls consist exlusively of fats and twenty percent of these are essential fatty acids like omega-3’s.

Omega-3’s are claimed to strengthen our synapses, making it easier for signals to cross the space between the brain cells.
Since omega-3’s are essential fats,the question becomes: Where can we get this vital material?

Although long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in somewhat small quantities in foods like walnuts, flaxseed and a few others, the most beneficial form of Omega-3’s, the fatty acids DHA and EPA, can only be found in fish like salmon, tuna, herring, anchovies, mackerel, sablefish and bluefish, etc.

Oddly, omega-6 oils like those found in corn and sunflower seed oils as well as the majority of margarines often neutralize the benefits of omega-3’s, so one is well advised to take olive oil and canola oil in their place. Sadly, most Americans consume a dangerously inadequate supply of omega-3’s and an excess of omega-6 fatty acids.

Let us just say that the ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 should be around 1 to 1, but the average American ratio ranges from 20 to 1 to 50 to 1.

In addition, fish oil in the form of daily supplements has proven to be a superb replacement, particularly for those that do not eat fish at all or very often, those who simply do not like fish, those pregnant and nursing who should be avoiding mercury or those that are allergic. Speaking of mercury, this issue should be taken into serious consideration, as fish of all types from all waters are now demonstrating hazardous levels of tasteless but toxic mercury. Some physicians are beginning to inform their patients about this metal which is taking up residence inside the bodies of fish because of our polluted environment. There is some salmon which that you can buy for an enormous price which has been lab tested for mercury and other toxins.

Although there is no established RDA for Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA), much of the medical research on the benefits of these nutrients is conducted using amounts of one thousand mg and more.

For instance, according to GISSI-Prevenzione Investigators: “Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: Results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial.” Lancet 354:447-455 (1999). This study was conducted using approximately one thousand milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids. For more data about fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids, visit Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil and find out more.

Ryan Joseph is a write/researcher. For more information visit http://www.theultimatefishoil.com