Winter Flowering Plants

Winter flowering plants

Spring and summer are traditionally the seasons we expect to see a vibrant collection of flowering plants in the garden, but there are some plants that flower in winter, providing some much-needed colour in the house or the garden.

Climate plays a role, for example, it is mid-winter here in Sydney, but it is not uncommon for geraniums to flower year-round, and I currently have delphinium and cosmos in bloom. Colder climates will have fewer flowering plants, but there are still a number of plants that can be enjoyed, even in cool climates.

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Nettle Soup Recipe

Nettle soup recipe

Nettles (Urtica dioica) are a common shrub native to Europe and Asia. The plants have heart-shaped leaves and stems that are covered in fine hairs which cause pain, redness and swelling if brushed against.

Nettles have a number of health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, immunostimulatory, anti-infectious, hypotensive, antiulcer activities and cardiovascular disease prevention.

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Which Seeds Need Light to Germinate?

Which seeds need light to germinate?

There are a number of factors that trigger seeds to germinate just at the right time to enhance their survival. All seeds need moisture and oxygen to germinate, and the preferred soil temperature varies from plant to plant. In addition, some seeds need cold stratification, scarification, darkness or light. If these factors are not in place, germination will not occur, or if it does, it will be lower than expected.

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Are Roses Toxic to Dogs?

Are roses toxic to dogs?

Roses (Rosa spp.) are non-toxic to dogs. These garden and cut flower favourites are safe to keep around dogs and make a great choice for the garden and as a cut flower.

Interestingly, the fruit that grows on the blossom of a wild rose (Rosa canina) known as rosehip contains antiinflammatory properties and is commonly used to treat arthritis in dogs.

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Winter Jobs for the Garden

Winter jobs for the garden
  • Weed
  • Clear grass and weeds from around trees and mulch
  • Top up potted plants
  • Re-pot pot bound plants
  • Remove annuals
  • Clean gutters
  • Plant roses
  • Prune trees and shrubs
  • Maintain garden tools
  • Pressure clean hard surfaces
  • Remove annuals
  • Clean gutters
  • Order spring seeds
  • Cold stratify seeds

It’s tempting to bunker down indoors during the cold months but winter is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the spring and summer ahead.

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Optimal Soil Temperature For Flower Seed Germination

Optimal soil temperature for flower seed germination

Seeds are in a dormant state until the right conditions occur which triggers the end of dormancy. There are a number of critical factors that determine when a seed will germinate including moisture, oxygen and the right soil temperature. Some seeds also require a period of cold, known as cold stratification. This mimics the normal winter a seed would usually experience before germinating once temperatures warm up in spring.

We recommend gardeners purchase a soil temperature thermometer to check soil temperature before sowing seeds. These are available from most nurseries or online.

Celsius

Fahrenheit

Stratification?

African daisy (Arctotis stoechadifolia) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
African daisy (Osteospermum spp.) 21 – 24 70 – 75 No
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) 12 – 23 55 – 75 No
Amethist flower (Browallia spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Aster (Aster spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 75 No
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) 16 – 20 60 – 68 No
Bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) 16 – 21 60 – 70 No
Begonia (Begonia spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Bellflower (Campanula spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 75 Yes
Bells-of-Ireland (Moluccella laevis) 13 – 18 55 – 64 Yes
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) 4 – 12 40 – 55 Yes
Boltonia (Boltonia spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Borage (Borago officinalis) 18 – 29 65 – 85 No
Bugle flower (Ajuga spp.) 10 – 15 50 – 60 No
Bugloss (Anchusa capensis) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Butter daisy (Melampodium
paludosum
)
18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Butterfly flower (Schizanthus spp.) 18 – 22 65 – 71 No
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) 18 – 24 65 – 75 Yes
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Californian poppy (Eschscholzia californica) 12 – 21 55 – 70 No
Candytuft (Iberis spp.) 23 – 29 75 – 85 No
Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Cape jewels (Nemesia strumosa) 13 – 18 55 – 65 No
Carnation (Dianthus spp.) 15 – 21 60 – 70 No
Catnip/catmint (Nepeta spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Chilean bellflower (Nolana paradoxa) 20 – 22 68 – 72 No
Chinese aster (Callistephus chinensis) 20 – 23 68 – 73 No
Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile) 18 – 20 65 – 68 No
Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) 16 – 21 60 – 70 No
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 75 No
Clematis (Clematis spp.) 20 – 22 68 – 73 Yes
Cliquefoil (Potentilla spp.) 19-21 67-70 No
Cohosh (Cimicifuga spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) 10 – 12 50 – 55 Yes
Common rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) 21 – 24 70 – 75 No
Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) 19 – 22 65 – 73 No
Coral bell (Heuchera spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) 15 – 21 60 – 70 No
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) 15 – 21 60 – 70 No
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) 21 – 25 70 – 77 No
Cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens) 21 – 23 70 – 75 No
Cupflower (Nierembergia spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 75 No
Cupid’s bow (Achimenes spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 75 No
Cupid’s dart (Catananche caerulea) 20 – 23 68 – 75 No
Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.) 18 – 20 65 – 68 No
Dahlberg daisy (Dyssodia tenuiloba) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Dahlia (Dahlia spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 75 No
Delphinium (Delphinium elatum) 15 – 20 59 – 68 Yes
Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Edeiweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
English daisy (Bellis perennis) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) 21 – 26 70 – 80 No
Everlasting (Helichrysum bracteatum) 21 – 24 70 – 75 No
False sunflower (Heliopsis spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Fan flower (Scaevola aemula) 20 – 22 68 – 71 No
Firecracker flower (Crossandra infundibuliformis) 21 – 27 70 – 80 No
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Fleabane (Erigeron spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum) 24 – 29 75 – 85 No
Forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Garden heliotrope (Heliotropium spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Gay feather (Liatris spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Gazania (Gazania spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Gerbera (Gerbera spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Geum (Geum spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Globeflower (Trollius spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa spp.) 10 – 15 50 – 59 Yes
Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) 19 – 21 66 – 70 No
Goldencup (Hunnemannia fumariifolia) 19 – 21 66 – 70 No
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 20 – 22 68 – 71 Yes
Goldentuft (Aurinia saxatilis) 15 – 21 59 – 70 No
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) 21 – 26 70 – 75 No
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) 15 – 21 60 – 70 Yes
Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) 18 – 24 65 – 75 Yes
Impatiens (Impatiens spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Laceflower (Trachymene coerulea) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Ladys purse (Calceolaria spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Larkspur (Consolida ambigua) 10 – 12 50 – 55 Yes
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Leopard plant (Ligularia spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Linaria (Linaria spp.) 12 – 18 55 – 65 Yes
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) 22 – 23 72 – 73 No
Livingstone daisy (Dorotheanthus
bellidiformis
)
18 – 24 65 – 78 No
Lobelia (Lobelia spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 73 No
Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) 20 – 28 68 – 82 No
Lupine (Lupinus spp.) 12 – 21 55 – 70 Yes
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus
roseus
)
24 – 27 75 – 80 No
Marigold (Tagetes spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) 15 – 21 60 – 70 Yes
Mexican creeping zinnia (Sanvitali procumbens) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Mignonette (Reseda odorata) 12 – 14 53 – 57 No
Monkey flowers (Mimulus spp.) 15 – 21 60 – 70 No
Monk’s hood (Aconitum spp.) 12 – 15 55 – 60 Yes
Morning glory (Convolvulus spp.)
20 – 21 68 – 70 No
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Nemesia (Nemesia spp.) 12 – 18 55 – 65 No
Nemophila (Nemophila spp.) 12 – 15 55 – 60 No
Nigella (Nigella damascena) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) 15 – 23 60 – 73 No
Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Persian violet (Exacum affine) 21 – 24 70 – 78 No
Petunia (Petunia spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 73 No
Phlox (Phlox spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Poppy (Papaver spp.) 15 – 20 60 – 68 Yes
Portulaca (Portulaca spp.) 21 – 26 70 – 80 No
Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) 15 – 20 60 – 68 No
Primrose (Primula spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 Yes
Purple rock cress (Aubrieta deltoidea) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) 16 – 18 60 – 65 No
Rock cress (Arabis spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Salvia (Salvia officinalis) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Satin flower (Clarkia amoena) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Sea holly (Eryngium spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 73 Yes
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 18 – 23 65 – 73 Yes
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Speedwell (Veronica spp.) 18 – 24 65 – 75 No
Spider flower (Cleome spinosa) 21 – 23 70 – 73 Yes
Statice (Limonium sinuatum) 15 – 20 60 – 68 No
Stock (Matthiola incana) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Stoke’s aster (Stokesia laevis) 21 – 24 70 – 75 No
Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No
Swan river daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia) 21 – 24 70 – 78 No
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) 12 – 18 55 – 65 No
Trumpet flower (Incarvillea spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Tweedia (Oxypetalum coeruleum) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Twinspur (Diascia spp.) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Verbena (Verbena spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 73 No
Viola (Viola spp.) 18 – 23 65 – 73 No
Virginian stock (Malcolmia maritima) 18 – 23 65 – 73 No
Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri, syn. Cheiranthus cheiri) 15 – 18 60 – 65 No
Wild indigo (Baptisia spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 No
Wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) 21 – 23 70 – 75 No
Xeranthemum (Xeranthemum annuum) 24-35 75 – 95 No
Yarrow (Achillea spp.) 18 – 21 65 – 70 Yes
Yellow lotus (Nelumbo lutea) 21 – 24 70 – 78 No
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) 21 – 23 70 – 73 No

Optimal soil temperature for flower germination PDF

Easy Wild Garlic Pesto Recipe

Wild garlic pesto recipe

Also known as ramsons, wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is a bulbous perennial plant native to Europe in Asia. It grows in dense clumps on woodland floors, forming a carpet of white in spring when in flower.

Wild garlic is a versatile plant with many culinary uses from soups to salads and pesto. Its delicate garlic flavour isn’t as overpowering as true garlic.

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Saponins: The Secret to Plant Defense

What are saponins?

Saponins are a class of natural compounds found in many plant species, that typically have a bitter taste. They are characterized by their amphiphilic nature, which means they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, due to the presence of a hydrophobic triterpene or steroidal sapogenin backbone and one or more hydrophilic sugar molecules attached to it. Saponins play a protective role in plants, serving as a natural defence mechanism against predators and pathogens.

Saponins
Saponins are a class of chemical compounds found in particular abundance in various plant species. More specifically, they are amphipathic glycosides

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Is Snake Plant Toxic to Dogs?

Is snake plant toxic to dogs?

What is snake plant?     Clinical signs     First aid     Treatment     Prognosis

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata syn. Sansevieria trifasciata) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is saponins which cause gastrointestinal disturbances in dogs. Saponins are a bitter, soapy substance that protects the plant from herbivory as well as fungal and insect attacks.

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List of National Fruits (With Pictures)

National fruits of the world

Related: National Flowers of the World        National Trees of the World

Country Fruit
Afghanistan Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pomegranate
Albania Cherry (Prunus avium) Cherry
Algeria Cherry (Prunus avium) Cherry
Andorra Mango (Mangifera indica) Palm fruit
Angola Palm fruit (Borassus flabellifer) Palm fruit
Antigua and Barbuda Black pineapple (Ananas comosus) Black pineapple
Argentina Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Armenia Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) Apricot
Australia Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii) Riberry
Austria Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Azerbaijan Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pomegranate
Bahamas Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Bahrain Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Fresh dates
Bangladesh Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Jackfruit
Barbados Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Belgium Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Belize Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Bolivia Achachairú (Garcinia humilis) Achachairú
Botswana Mogwana (Mogwana)
Brazil Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) Cupuaçu
Bulgaria Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Côte d’Ivoire Red palm fruit (Acanthophoenix rubra) Palm fruit
Cambodia Chicken egg banana (Musa aromatica)
Cameroon Safou (Dacryodes edulis)
Canada Blueberry (Cyanococcus) Blueberries
Central African Republic Banana (Musa) Banana
China Fuzzy kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Kiwifruit
Congo Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Jackfruit
Costa Rica Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Pineapple
Cuba Mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) Pouteria sapota
Cyprus Banana (Musa) Banana
Democratic Republic of the Congo Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Jackfruit
Denmark Strawberry (Fragaria) Strawberry
Dominica Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) Starfruit
Ecuador Guanabana (Annona muricata) Guanabana
Egypt Papaya (Carica papaya) Papaya
Fiji Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
France Pear (Pyrus) Pear
Germany Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Ghana Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Greece Olive (Olea europaea) Olives
Grenada Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Guatemala Jocote (Spondias purpurea) Jocote
Guinea Papaya (Carica papaya) Papaya
Guinea-Bissau Papaya (Carica papaya) Papaya
Haiti Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Hungary Orange (Citrus × sinensis) Orange
India Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Indonesia Durian Durian
Iran Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pomegranate
Iraq Fig (Ficus carica) Common fig
Israel Prickly pear (Opuntia)

 

Prickly pear
Italy Strawberry (Fragaria) Strawberry
Jamaica Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Japan Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Persimmon
Jordan Figs (Ficus carica) and olives (Olea europaea) Figs and olives
Kenya Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Kuwait Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Fresh dates
Kyrgyzstan Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Blackberry
Malawi Banana (Musa) Banana
Malaysia Papaya (Carica papaya) Papaya
Maldives Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Coconut
Mali Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Malta Prickly pear (Opuntia) Prickly pear
Mexico Avocado (Persea americana) Avocado
Mongolia Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Sea buckthorn
Myanmar Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Nepal Golden Himalayan berry (Rubus ellipticus)
Netherlands Orange (Citrus × sinensis) Orange
New Zealand Kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Kiwifruit
Nigeria Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
North Korea Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Persimmon
Pakistan Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Palestine Prickly pear (Opuntia) Prickly pear
Panama Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) Rambutan
Peru Lúcuma Lúcuma
Philippines Mango (Mangifera indica) Mango
Poland Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
Saint Lucia Ackee (Blighia sapida) Ackee
Saudi Arabia Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Fresh dates
Serbia Plum (Prunus) Plum
Seychelles Coco de mer (Lodoicea) Lodoicea
Singapore Durian (Nephelium lappaceum) Durian
South Korea Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Persimmon
Spain Grape (Vitis vinifera) Grape
Sri Lanka Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Jackfruit
Thailand Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Mangosteen
Turkmenistan Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Watermelon
Uganda Banana (Musa) Banana
Ukraine Cherry (Prunus) Cherry
United Arab Emirates Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Fresh dates
United Kingdom Apple (Malus domestica) Apple
United States of America Blueberry (Cyanococcus) Blueberries
Uruguay Blueberry (Cyanococcus) Blueberries
Uzbekistan Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pomegranate
Vanuatu Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Jackfruit
Venezuela Mango (Mangifera indica) Palm fruit

 

List of national fruits PDF for download