If you are interested in taking part in a flowery feast, it is important to know exactly which flowers are edible.

Contrary to common belief there is quite an assortment of flowers that can be eaten. Even the blooms of wild plants, herbs and vegetables can be consumed like the cuckoo flower, elderflower, bergamot, chives, and the blossoms of the courgette and runner bean.

Gardener Meeda Downey says that she has not had the chance to try them yet, "but there's always the first time."

The nasturtium and some other flowers can be eaten straight from the plant, and there are other flowers that should be cooked before they are eaten like tansy or milk thistles, while some others need to be made into an infusion like elderflowers and dried blossoms…

[Via: Irish Times]

Many are mourning the passing of Michael Jackson, while others are getting collecting and selling his memorabilia. Some of the items on sale are quite odd — flowers from Jackson's casket can be found on eBay.

The memorial service was held on the 7th of July, and not longer after the service on of the celebrity guests brought in a their ticket and flowers from the casket.

Amy Weintruab owner of SHOPitLA says, "We have a lot of celebrity clients, this particular client had special access during the memorial service and was given these roses."

According to Weintraub, the client did not need the flowers and felt that a Jackson Fan might appreciate them more. The flowers were only on auction for about 15 minutes when their prices shot up $250.

Weintraub said, "I've never seen an auction jump up that quickly. This is definitely one of the most unusual items we have ever put up for auction, but then Michael Jackson was one of the most unusual people on the planet."

[Via: ecommwire.com]

The evolution of columbine flowers in North America was recorded and documented. Two varieties of this flower were researched - the red columbines which are pollinated by hummingbirds and white or yellow columbines which are pollinated by hawkmoths. It is believed that a shift from red, white or yellow has occurred five times in North America.

Senior author Scott A. Hodges said, "What is important in this research is that hawkmoths mostly visit — and pollinate — white or pale flowers. We have shown experimentally that hawkmoths prefer these paler colours."

Red plants are usually pollinated by humminbirds, but through natural selection the colour of flowers change if pollinaters change. So if a plant population is pollinated by hawkmoths, they will slowly be changed to a lighter colour.

Scientists find these results important because this might show how evolution can be predicted…

[Via: Science Daily]

The Manhattan flower district is found off West 28th street and takes about a whole block. High real estate prices and the construction of condominiums have actually taken down the size of the once huge market.

It takes about half a day to explore the entire market. The sidewalks are full of plants, branches, vases and anything you can imagine for your garden. The prices here are much lower than those at the florists or at any other vendor.

The business here used to be wholesale but now with a lack of business, shop owners are accepting just about anything, which means walk-in customers as well.

When visiting this market, it is a good idea to get an early start to avoid the crowds. If you are looking for flowers that last, this is a great place to get fake flowers at a low cost. The only limit is your imagination, just find some time to explore this gardener's haven…

[Via: NY Times]

There is a new variety of lilac called Josee and according to experts it will bloom all summer long. The first blooms in spring are, of course, the most eye-catching. But it continues to bloom at intervals throughout the warm months of summer.

The blooms of this plant have more of pink shade, which create a really beautiful contrast with the dark green, heart-shaped leaves of the plant.

This is not the only type of lilac that blooms repeatedly — Miss Kim is another similar type of plant. This variety differs in the fact that it blooms quite vibrantly in the spring, and then once more during the summer. They do not bloom in between the way that the Josee does.

[Via: canada.com]

Drying any flower is the best way to hang on the first blooms of summer. It is best to start off by placing your fresh cut hydrangeas in vases, and to dry them once they start fading.

When you are ready to start drying them the first step to take is to cut the flowers. The leaves need to be removed and the blooms hung upside down. You should pick a spot that is dry and where there isn't any kind of wind or draught, the storage shed might be the ideal place.

One thing you will find is that the colour of the flowers fades with drying, but you can either add colour afterwards, or pick one of the newer kinds of hydrangea, which have a stronger colour. If you colour the flowers on your own it is important to be careful and to pay attention to details, otherwise your flowers could end up looking rather tacky.

[Via: thenewsstar.com]

To maximize the life of your flowers it is best to pick them early in the morning while there is still dew on the plants. If the weather is not too hot, it is also possible to pick your flowers in the evening.

To get optimal results, take your flowers inside in a container that is tall and contains lukewarm water. It is also important to remove any foliage that is bellow the water line, and then you should leave your flowers in deep water overnight.

Once you are ready to start arranging, cut the stems again under water, and make sure the cut is at an angle.

By adding laundry bleach and a bit of sugar to the water you use for a bouquet, you will ensure that the flowers enjoy as long a life as possible.

[Via: selahnews.com]

Its scientific name is Gaillardia artista, as it was named after a French botanist by the same name, while the spines on the seeds of the plant are called artista. However, it is most commonly referred to as the Blanket Flower, and the strange thing about it is that there is no reference as to where the name originated.

The other name for this flower is Brown-eyed Susan — this is somewhat easier to understand as the center of the flower is a brownish colour.

The plant itself grows in clumps with stems that grow up to a height of two feet, and it looks much like a small sunflower.

This flower is not difficult to grow from the seed and is found in many gardens. Pacific Northwest Indian Tribes had medicinal uses for this flower like treating kidney problems, venereal disease, back ache and even for fighting dandruff…

[Via: eastoregonian.com]

The exhibition is called "Exotic Roots of Backyard Flowers" and is to feature nearly 800 flowering plants. Impatiens, rosy periwinkle, Egyptian star flower, polka-dot plant, calla lily and bird of paradise are just some of the flowers that are to be on display.

Interesting facts and trivia will also be available to the public. For example, impatiens used to be available only to those with a lot of wealth, but currently they are among the most popular flowers in the American garden. Also interesting is the fact that calla lilies used to be the traditional flower for funerals, but now they are popular for weddings.

[Via: zandavisitor.com]

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan is the author of a book and website called "Apartment Therapy," where she offers twelve steps to making your home more pleasant. Putting a new batch of fresh flowers on display in your home is one of these steps.

Summer is the best season for doing this - flowers grow in the garden, and they are readily available at flower farms. Of course, doing this makes your home more beautiful and it also gives you an activity to look forward to each week.

Flowers offer a constant beauty, no matter how bad your days are. However, it is important to remember to care for them correctly, they need fresh and clean water each day, giving them a longer life. The more well-cared your flowers are, the more of a therapeutic nature they have.

[Via: examiner.com]