Thursday, June 28, 2012

What is Climber Plants?




Climber plants have weak stem so in order to reach Sun light they climb up to support special organ. Climbing plants have many different uses in the garden. They are great for hiding fences and sheds, they can be used to add color to a fence line or smaller climbers can be used in the garden or containers with a simple frame to climb. Climbers are a great way to add a lot of color without using a lot of space.
The evolution of a climbing habit has been implicated as a key innovation associated with the evolutionary success and diversification of a number of taxonomic groups of plants.

Types of Climbing Plants

Root Climbers
•     Root Climbers have roots developing from their long stems to support them. These roots find their way into small cracks and joints of masonry and rough timber or into the bark of a host tree. You should not grow this type of climber on to healthy trees as it will damage the tree and provide suitable conditions for pests and diseases. Ivy and climbing fig are examples of this type of climber.


Twiners
•      These climbers support themselves by the stem which coils itself around the support. These twiners can cause considerable damage if left growing around a tree. The tree will eventually be strangled by the twining stem. Wisteria and Honeysuckle are the most commonly used twiners.



Scramblers

•    The climbing rose and bougainvilleas are perhaps the most common examples of this type of climber. Scramblers bear hooks or prickles which curve downwards enabling the plant to attach to another plant or object. They scramble over them to reach the sunlight.




Tendril Climbers
•      Tendrils are usually modified stems, leaves or leaflets, the entire tendril    usually coils itself around  the support by developing a spring like coil. Tendril climbers spreads by means of thread-like tendrils. The Virginia creeper and the Japanese Ivy and various other climbers support themselves on flat masonry surfaces such as brick -work.









Tuesday, June 26, 2012

What is the difference between Cactus and a Succulent?


Succulent plants are growing specimens of cacti or fat plants, in your home garden or container collection can be an enjoyable hobby. However, what is the difference between a cactus and a succulent? Are they the same? Are they different? How can you tell them apart? Here is some tips to help you tell the difference.

The difference is actually quite easy to describe, once you are aware of it. The word succulent is a descriptive term for all the types of plants that store water in their leaves or stems. A cactus is in a large family of plants that are all succulents. There are other types of succulents besides cacti. So, a good rule to remember is that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.
It is thought by many that the spines that grow on many of the plants are what differentiate a cactus from other succulents. This is, simply, not true. There are some cacti that are smooth and do not have spines. There are also some succulents that have prickly spines. The way to tell the difference between the spiny cacti and other types of prickly succulents is that cacti have areoles, or spine cushions. The spines of a cactus will grow only out of these spine cushions. The prickly parts of other succulents do not grow together in this manner. These are easy to spot, especially when two plants of different families are observed together. A succulent with spines will have a more random looking growth of the prickly parts.
Classifications of plants are made on the basis of the reproductive system of the plants. No external characteristics will have any influence on these divisions within the plant world. Therefore, no characteristics such as spines, leave shape or color, or habitat will have any influence on the determination as to whether a plant is a cactus, succulent or other grouping.
Whether the plant you are attracted to is a cactus or another type of succulent, both will bring a unique specimen to your collection. Succulents are easy to grow and virtually pest-free. Just be sure you research what they will need. As with other types of plants, their needs can vary even if they seem to be the same in form and habitat. Hopefully, this information will help you understand the difference between succulents and cacti and will lead to a wonderful display of these plants in your home garden.
The cactus family is approximately 2,000 species originated in Americas. Cacti are ideal plants to grow for beginners. Spectacular flowers are often produced with little encouragement. Planting a cactus is a great achievement for everyone if your cacti become flowering.
Below are some example of Succulent Plants:






What is Shrubs?


A shrub is a botanical category of woody plant in horticulture, distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and lower height, shrubs can be determined by its height from 3 to 6 meters tall.

A large number of plants can be either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience. Small, low shrubs such as lavender, periwinkle and thyme are often termed subshrubs.

A natural plant community dominated by shrubs is called a shrubland. The word bush can also refer to a type of plant community, as in the Australian bush.

This is often characterised by scrubby, open woodland and is a generic term for Eucalyptus dominated woodland in particular.

An area of cultivated shrubs in a park or garden is known as a shrubbery. When clipped as topiary, shrubs generally have dense foliage and many small leafy branches growing close together.

Many shrubs respond well to renewal pruning, in which hard cutting back to a 'stool' results in long new stems known as "canes".
Other shrubs respond better to selective pruning to reveal their structure and character.

Shrubs in common garden practice are generally broad-leaved plants, though some smaller conifers such as Mountain Pine and Common Juniper are also shrubby in structure.

Some specimens of a plant species may take a tree form like willows, sumacs, and spruces.

Aquatic Plants


What is Aquatic Plants?
The plants that develop in freshwater or saltwater are called aquatic plants and derive their name from the word 'aqua' which means water.
Plants that float in water:
Some plants, like water hyacinth, float in water. They have special types of leaves that help them to stay afloat. They use sunlight and air to make their food.
Plants that grow under water:
Some plants grow under water. These plants take carbon dioxide from the water around them and give out oxygen. Tape grass, pond weed and hydrilla are such plants. Their leaves have no pores or stomata and they breathe through their surface. These plants are flexible and can bend easily with the flow of water.
Plants that are fixed in water:
Some plants like water lily and lotus have their roots fixed in the waterbed. Their stems are hollow and light so that the flowers and leaves can float on water. They breathe through the pores or stomata on their broad leaves.


Below are some example of images of Aquatic Plants:








Monday, June 25, 2012

What is Ornamental Trees?


Ornamental trees are abundant features such as flowers, unique foliage, notable bark, or a form of branching that is eye catching. Ornamental trees generally grown from 15-25 feet tall in height. Many ornamental trees are flowering and the time of flowering, mainly early spring, will draw attention to the landscape. Some trees have unique features that are notable in several seasons. The Lavender Twist Redbud is one of those trees. It combines very early spring flowers with a unique twisted form that is attractive with or without leaves. Weeping ornamental trees are favorites of many homeowners. The long graceful weeping branches attract attention and seem to give a sense of peace and calm to a yard. 


Ornamental trees can be deciduous or evergreen. Evergreens tend to derive their ornamental flavor from unique shapes or sizes. Deciduous trees usually point to leaf color or tree form to accentuate their eye catching qualities. Flowering ornamental trees are a large section in the ornamental tree category. Flowering trees such as flowering pear trees are used as lawn trees, street trees, and as small shade trees. Flowering ornamental trees add pizzazz in the spring and gorgeous foliage in the summer to any landscape or yard. Ornamental trees are an indispensable part of the landscape. They give the home, street, or commercial setting, beauty and permanence. Ornamental trees beautify our surroundings with interesting shapes, patterns, colors, scents, and seasonal changes.

Below is an example of Ornamental Trees:






Tubers and Rhizomes, Bulbs, Corms, contain one thing in common, they all underground storage organs, providing food for the plant to grow in its season.

Bulbs are made up of fleshy scales, these are actually modified leaves. These tend to look a bit like an onion and often have a brown papery outer layer.
Examples of bulbs:
·        Daffodil
·        Tulip
·        Allium
Here is an example of Bulbs, Corms, Tubers and Rhizomes:













The Roses Colors and Its Meaning

A rose is the favorite flower of many people, especially when people give a flower gift to somebody, when we choose a color for personalizing your gift with deeper meaning. So, here is the guide to help everyone to express your feelings by giving roses as your gift.



Color
Meaning
Single - any color
Simplicity, Gratitude 
Red
It symbolize Beauty, Love, Courage and Respect, Romantic Love, A Congratulations, I Love You, Sincere Love, Job well done, Respect, Courage & Passion.
Dark Red             
Unconscious beauty
Single Red
I Love You
Red Rosebud
Symbolic of purity and loveliness
Red and Yellow
Jovial and Happy Feelings
Red and White
Given together, these signify unity
Deep Burgundy                -
Unconscious Beauty
White Rosebud
Symbolic of girlhood
White   
Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Innocence, Reverence, Humility, Heavenly, “I am Worthy of you”
White (Bridal)   
Happy Love
Pink      
Perfect Happiness, Grace, Admiration, Gentleness, Appreciation, Please Believe Me” “Thank You”
Light Pink
Gentleness, Grace, Gladness, Admiration, Joy, Sympathy, Sweetness
Dark Pink
Gratitude, Appreciation, “Thank You”
Yellow  
Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me,  Jealousy, "I care"
Yellow with Red Tip
Friendship, Falling in Love
Orange           
Desire, Enthusiasm
Coral     
Desire
Peach 
Appreciation, Closing the deal, Let's get together, Sincerity, Gratitude
Pale Peach
Modesty
Lavender
Love at first sight, Enchantment
Thorn-less Rose
"Love at first sight"
Blue
The unattainable, the impossible
Black 
Death, Farewell
Roses by the Numbers
A single rose of any color depicts utmost devotion
Two roses entwined together communicate "Marry me"
Six Roses signify a need to be loved or cherished
Eleven roses assure the recipient they are truly and deeply loved
Thirteen roses indicate a secret admirer



Ornamental Plants


Ornamental plants are those plants that are grown in backyards or gardens around the world. It is also a decorative for landscape design, as houseplants, for cut flowers and specimen display. Most commonly ornamental plants in the garden are grown for the display of aesthetic features including: flowers, leaves, scent, overall foliage texture, fruit, stem and bark, and aesthetic form. Ornamental Plants includes Roses, Bulbs/Rhizomes, Conifers, Trees, Aquatic plants, shrubs, Cactus & Succulents, climbers, Palms, Aromatic plants, as well as Ferns and Grasses.

Here are some example of Ornamental Plants:



Palms

Perennials


Aromatic Plants


Ferns

Grasses