Gerbera

Big-sized and disc-shaped flowers of gerbera borne at the top of long, leafless stems are extremely attractive representatives of the Compositae family. Gerbera originates from South Africa and Asia, although today they are being widely cultivated in other parts of the world. The flower is available in all colors with exception of blue one and may be met either in standard or miniature sizes.

There are more than 200 species of gerbera and breeders are developing many other variants. A recent breeders’ development is the miniature-gerbera, commonly known as 'germini', which come in wide variety of colors but are smaller in size being much more appropriate for smaller floral arrangements and designs.

 Being almost unknown 20 years ago this plant is extendedly popular and in vogue. Some even associate it with the star sign Leo.  The flower was first brought to Europe in the 19th century.

Gerberas are available at any season of the year and cut flowers may last for 4-14 days.
Gerberas are attractive blossoms that are widely used as mass flowers in designs and arrangements. Additionally the flower is extremely popular in nosegays, especially when one wants to get a retro 60's look.

Freesia

Freesia originates from South Africa and got its name in honor of Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese. It was a German student who researched African plants in the 19th century. The flower is the member of the Iridaceae family.

It is one of the most- selling and widely grown cut flowers throughout the globe. Every year more than110 million flowers are sold in the United Kingdom. This plant is one of the most famous one for the majority of people. It is available in white, yellow, lavender, mauve, orange, gold, pink, red, velvet shades and colors.

In dependence of certain species the majority of freesias are available all year round with the peak spring period. Once the flower is cut out it may last for about 4-7 days.

The cut flower requires proper care and handling. It is very important to supply it with a lot of water, pinch out the topmost buds and take off the old blossoms’ heads to give the way for the new ones to open. The flower should not be kept next to fruit and vegetables. Beside of they are ethylene-sensitive ones.

Freesia’s hallmark is its unordinary, outstanding shapes. Thanks to this the flower may be used for any arrangement. They are very popular as perfect additions to nosegays and are widely used in wedding and bridal work.

Aster (September Flower)

Being one of the representatives of the Asteraceae family Aster symbolizes love, daintiness and afterthought. The aster is derived from the Latin word "star" and is related to the flower's star like head. This beautiful flower is grown all over the world except Australia and Antarctica.

The alternative name of the flower is the Michaelmas daisy. This frost flower blossoms in late summer or autumn. However the flower is commercially available during complete year and imported from different sources. The aster falls into more than 600 species, but not so many varieties delight people as cut flowers. Asters are grown in any shade and color with exception of clear yellow and orange. Such colors of the flowers as white, blue, purple and violet are predominant.


As it was mentioned aster as cut flower is available any time of the year and its life lasting when cut is about 5-10 days.


This flower is one of the most popular ones that are used in various floral arrangements and numerous bouquets of any season. Their bonus is fascinating color variety.

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria well-known as Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas represents a genus with approximately 50 flowering plants’ species. It  The genus originates from South America. It was called after the Swedish baron Claus von Alstroemer by his friend Carolus Linnaeus.

The plants are distinguished by a rootstock made up of group of rhizomes or "crown". Depending on the definite species the plants’ height may vary from a couple of cm to about 1.5 m.

One of the attractive characteristics of  Alstroemeria is its resupinate leaves twisting from the very base in such a way that its seems to be the upper leaf surface being in reality the lower leaf surface. This very unordinary botanical feature can be noticed in the leaves on cut flowers.

The flowers of Peruvan lily are very attractive and are pollinated by bees. All six petals of the blossom have the same size and shape. However some species of Alstroemeria have two petals that are much larger that the rest serving as "flags" for pollination. The blossoms of Lily of the Incas may be of white, golden yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple and lavender colors and shades.


More Info:

The pronunciation of Alstromeria, commonly known as Ulster Mary or Peruvian lily, is Alstro-MARY-ah. The flower was called in honor of famous botanical classifier Carl Linnaeus. Claus Alstroemer, who was a pupil of famous botanical classifier Linnaeus sent the seeds of this plant while visiting South Africa.

Thus Europe has got the species of Peruvian lily in the 18th century. Nowadays, this plant is widely spread and bred throughout the globe. Native to South America, alstroemeria represents the Amaryllidaceae family and relates to the onion, daffodil, agapanthus and nerine.

The availability of the  Peruvian lily is Readily all year-round in various shades and colors of including white, pink, yellow, salmon, red, lavender, orange, bronze and bi-colors.

Although alstomeria is very sensitive to ethylene being cared and handled in a proper way, its life lasting may reach up to two weeks.

Symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and good fortune Alstroemeria is extremely attractive flowers. The vast variety of colors and special form is the hallmark of this plant.  That’s why it commonly used in designs and floral arrangements.

Early Star-of-Bethlehem

Gagea bohemica is the botanical name of the plant that is more commonly known as the Early Star-of-Bethlehem or Radnor Lily.  It is a representative of the genus Gagea and belongs to the family Liliaceae. It can be met mostly in the Mediterranean region and central Europe but can grow further north, for instance, in France and Germany.
 
The Early Star-of-Bethlehem flowers much earlier than the majority of other species of Gagea, and is typically in bloom from January to March or April.

This flowering plant is capable to attain the height from 2 to 6 cm and usually has the one pair of twisting, basal leaves in the shape of thread. They bear a couple of lance-like leaves located beneath the blossoms. There are up to 4 6-petal blooms on every plant. They come in yellow and are 0,5 cm across.

This specimen has been found at a single site in the Welsh county of Radnorshire. This is the very place of the UK from which it has been informed about and later declared as the county flower.

Jack in the pulpit

It is commonly known as Green Dragon, March Turnip, Lord-and Lady, Pepper Turnip, Parson- in the Pulpit, Plant of Peace, Memory Root, American Arum, Cobra Lily, and Devil’s Ear, Priest's Pintle, Bog Onion, Cuckoo Plant and many others.

The flower represents the arum family of tropical species, having the botanical name of Arisaema triphyllum. It inhabits in North America. One can enjoy these attractive plants in the woods of Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota and Illinois.

Jack in the pulpits are considered to be one of the oddest flowering plants in Wildwood. The flower’s green or purple brown hooded floral leaves aim to defend blooms gathered in clusters on a club-resembling stem. Thus, it looks like an old-fashioned covered pulpit. Botanists call the minister a spadix, but his pulpit is named the spathe.

The striped spathe can be found in maroon to green and white to green colors. At the end of summer season the spathe drops off bearing green berries, turning reddish with the fall’s coming.

Jack in the pulpit flowering time is the whole fall season.

Gymnadenia

Gymnadenia represents a genus belonging to the orchid family and consisting of 22 terrestrial species.

They plants thrive in damp meadow, fen and marsh, on chalk or lime stones, frequently in alpine areas of Europe and Asia up to the Himalayas.

Being deciduous, they manage to live on by means of their corms that are 2 deep-cut tubers. Long lance –shaped, green-colored leaves emerge from the bottom of the stem with smaller leaves borne atop of the stem.

The blooming time for gymnadenias takes place in summer. They give rise to the inflorescence representing a cylindrical spike, having the length from 5 to 30 cm. One spike can bear up to 150 tiny fragrant blossoms that come from purplish to pink and white colors.

The broad lip has 3 lobes. The edging petals grow horizontally. The plant also bears slender, thread- looking spur.

Lady's Mantle

The botanical name of the flower is Alchemilla. Being the representative of the Rosaceae family, the flower is commonly known as Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot, Dewcup, Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot, Nine Hooks, Leontopodium, Stellaria Dewcup, Breakstone, Stellaria, and Woman’s Best Friend.

In the middle Ages, Lady's Mantle was referred to the Virgin Mary. It got its name due to the reference of the leaves’ lobes looking like the scalloped edges of a mantle.

The Lady's Mantle represents a perennial plant that is capable to tolerate bad conditions. The flowers have no petals and are available in green and bright cues. The form clusters of blossoms having 6 to 9 inches across.

This attractive plant has grey-greenish leaves that have small leaf hair on both sides for the majority of varieties. Leaf hair aids the flower in water-resistance.

Ladys Mantle has a long effective bloom period.