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And other fun facts.

3/12/2019

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Spring is just around the corner and what better way to ready for it than by planting a flower or two. The 12th of March each year is designated as National Plant A Flower Day.
Depending on the variety, flowers can be grown in pots and in window boxes. So no matter whether you live in the country or have an apartment in the city, you can participate in Plant A Flower Day. Here are a few tips for starting your very own flower garden.
  • Start with a potted garden.  If you aren’t ready to tear up a patch of lawn, this is a good way to go.  They do require more watering, but less care overall.
  • Select plants that grow well in your spot.  Some plants grow well in the shade and others prefer the sun.  Others love both!
  • Did you know gardeners who prefer perennial gardens have to thin their flower beds every couple of years?  They also like to share the extra bulbs and seeds with those who are new to gardening, so if you know someone with a green thumb, get to know them better.  You might get some free plants, advice and a budding friendship!
  • Local greenhouses stock plants that grow well in your area.  Don’t be afraid to ask them questions and shop there frequently.
​Marigolds and daffodils are the flowers designated for the month of March. Marigolds grow well in pots, as do daffodils. But keep in mind that daffodil bulbs won't bloom until about this time next year. So now, how about a few fun facts about flowers, in honor of this special day?
1.  Gerber daisies can help you sleep better. If you want to get a better night’s sleep tonight, try placing gerbera daisies next to your bed. Gerberas emit oxygen and absorb carbon monoxide and toxins at night, this was said to be especially helpful for anyone suffering from sleep apnea.
2.  Roses are related to fruit and almonds. Roses share a relation with almonds, apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and pears. Roses have what’s called rose hips which are a berry fruit in some roses.  Rose hips are used to make jellies or teas as they are loaded with Vitamin C.
3.  Tulip bulbs were used as a food source. Although this flower fact is more well-known, it’s important to know why tulip bulbs were eaten. No one ever claimed that tulip bulbs were delicious, however, they were eaten because of hunger and food shortage. During World War II tulip bulbs were claimed to taste awful and dry however many kept hunger at bay by eating tulip bulbs. Some families used tulips in place of onions.
4.  Broccoli is a flower. We do not think of broccoli as a flower nor do most florists display broccoli in their floral cooler. However, broccoli, in fact, is a flower. Broccoli is harvested before the flower buds fully open and eaten as a vegetable. Maybe it’s time we start incorporating broccoli in floral arrangements.

5.  Hydrangeas' soil determines its flower color. Hydrangeas’ color is determined by the acidity of the soil it’s planted in. If the soil is too alkaline it will result in pink Hydrangeas.
6.  Queen Victoria was flower trendsetter. During Queen Victoria Era 1837 – 1901, in order to be considered a well-rounded young lady you were expected to learn how to arrange flowers. Queen Victoria loved flowers so much that she wore an orange floral wreath instead of the expected crown.  She also incorporated lavish amounts of beautiful floral arrangements at her wedding making wedding flowers a must have for all brides.
7.  Sunflowers saved lives. Surprisingly sunflower stems were used to fill life jackets. Floating sunflower rafts have been used to clean up water contamination from the Chernobyl disaster. The roots of the sunflowers remove up to 95% radioactivity by drawing the contaminants out of the water. Simply amazing!
8.  Daffodils are used as currency. 
Daffodils are used as currency for Prince Charles.  He is paid one daffodil a year as rent for his lands on the Island of Scilly and off the coast of Cornwall.
9.  Stop and smell the chocolate. Just when you thought that flowers could not get any more miraculous, along comes the Chocolate Cosmos. These beautiful dark burgundy flowers smell exactly like chocolate. Amazing! Want other chocolate-smelling flowers? Try these: chocolate orchid, black salsify, chocolate daisy, and chocolate mint.
10. Do you speak floriography?  Floriography, the language of flowers, has been around for thousands of years, however, most popular during the Victorian era due to its conservativeness with emotional expression and flirtations. Floriography allowed one to express themselves without saying something deemed taboo out loud to its recipient. Floriography consisted of an actual floral dictionary where the sender could send flowers to someone with encoded messages through the bouquets also known as “Talking Bouquets,” sort of like text messaging for its time.
"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul." ~ Luther Burbank, botanist. (1849-1926)
Tomorrow is Dharma Wednesday. I hope you'll plan on stopping back by to learn what lesson he has in store for me. Enjoy your National Plant A Flower Day and remember to use #PlantAFlowerDay when posting your pictures and favorite flower saying on your social media.                                                PEACE.
Picture
https://floranext.com/10-mind-blowing-flower-facts/
​https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-plant-a-flower-day-march-12/
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    Land of Lily Pad's first published author. I enjoy writing fun and educational books for kids. My blog is for you parents; the kiddos might like some of them, too. As always, everything I write is family-friendly, so don't hesitate to share my messages with everyone. I hope you find them helpful and maybe even inspirational. Cheers! 

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