Photo via http://ow.ly/YHGA30739w1 This time of year, I find myself admiring the brilliant red berries on the holly bushes around my neighborhood. I like to sit at my window on cold days watching the robins visit the bushes to enjoy some holly berries. I wanted to learn more about these plants that are so closely…Continue reading
Category: Holiday Flowers
December’s Birthflower: The Popular Poinsettia
Photo via http://ow.ly/GUNi306PPN5 I’m sure it will come as no great surprise to you that the poinsettia is December’s birth flower. As we move further into the month of December, you’re likely to see poinsettias appearing in the windows of homes, in department store displays, and in office buildings, along with dozens of other places….Continue reading
The History Behind The Thanksgiving Cornucopia
Photo via http://ow.ly/WUyp305YIQw A cornucopia is a common sight on many Thanksgiving dinner tables throughout America. At this time of the year, you’re likely to see wicker cornucopias of all sizes filled to overflowing with apples, grapes, pears, leaves, and even small pumpkins. Some people get really creative filling their cornucopias with flowers, candy, or…Continue reading
How To Choose The Best Christmas Tree To Rock Around
Photo via http://ow.ly/VZ7ls One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is drive out to a local tree farm with friends and choose my Christmas tree. I love seeing all of the families walking through the fields to find a lovely tree for their home. As a kid, my family always…Continue reading
The Poppy Flower And It’s Significance To Memorial Day
Photo via http://ow.ly/MFlxT The poppy is one of my favorite flowers. Whether it’s Himalayan blue, California yellow, or purple, these delicate flowers are hard to ignore. I must confess a special fondness for red poppies. Of course, they are beautiful to look at, but did you know they have a special connection to Remembrance Day and…Continue reading
The Plants And Flowers Of The Easter Season
Photo via http://ow.ly/L3cFs Nothing announces the arrival of springtime like a colorful gathering of Easter flowers. I love to see all of the Easter flowers and plants blooming around my neighborhood. I always pause a few extra moments to look at the delicate white blossoms of the flowering dogwood trees in my area. In fact,…Continue reading
Native Plants Of Ireland
If you’re one of my loyal readers, you know that I love flowers and plants of all types. I get excited whenever I can add a new entry to my mental encyclopedia of flowers. I especially like to learn about the history or meaning behind a particular bloom. Since St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching,…Continue reading
Luck O’ The Four Leaf Clover
I’ve always wanted to find a four-leaf clover. My dog Basil and I have searched through countless clumps of clover over the years. We’ve looked in the local dog park, the woods, and we even look at stray patches of clover along the sidewalks. No luck. But the day I find one, I’ll waste no…Continue reading
The History Behind Mistletoe
Photo via philhearing (Flickr) Many of us have done it at one time or another: kissed someone under the mistletoe. Whether at a holiday party with a complete stranger or at home with a spouse, kissing under the leaves and berries of this partially parasitic plant is an ancient custom. Have you ever stopped to…Continue reading
Tips for Decorating With Poinsettias
Photo via: Alby Headrick (Flickr) Decorating a home with poinsettias during Christmas is a tried-and-true way to celebrate the holidays and honor tradition. To spruce up your holiday space, there are many unique ways to use poinsettias and help you to stand out from the rest of the holiday crowd. Consider the natural look of…Continue reading