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Have you ever eaten a flower? Before you quickly respond with a puzzled, “no,” take a minute to think about what a flower is. While most of us think of roses, daisies, and orchids when someone says “flower,” there are quite a few species we’re leaving out.

Because ‘vegetables’ is a culinary term, not exactly a scientific one, there are many things we consider to be vegetables but are, in fact, flowers. As you prepare your Thanksgiving table for a beautiful feast, consider adding these vegetables that double as flowers.

Artichokes

Leaving your vegetable patch unattended for more than a few days is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re talking about artichokes, that is. When left unpicked, artichokes open up to expose a beautiful purple, string-like flower. Beyond their beauty, it also makes a wonderful Thanksgiving appetizer or side dish.

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One look at a sunflower and you’ll understand why it’s been drawn, painted, and written about for years. Standing tall above most other popular flowers, sunflowers bring a smile to everyone’s face.

While we all know sunflowers are beautiful, there’s a lot more to these showstopping flowers than meets the eye. Here are some interesting sunflower facts: Continue Reading…

Using only the stars to guide their canoes, early Polynesian voyagers who settled in Hawaii were some of the first people to create and wear leis. Little did they know that hundreds of years later, the tradition of wearing and giving leis would be stronger than ever!

A Brief History of the Lei

Initially, the first Polynesian settlers on Hawaii wore leis in order to make themselves more beautiful, distinguish certain groups from others, and as a sign of affection. When someone from another town would visit, presenting them with a lei was a way of symbolically welcoming them as a part of the group.

The Maile lei is one of the most significant leis in Hawaiian culture. Among its many uses, the Maile lei was most commonly used when worshiping the gods or given from one chief to another as a symbol of peace in times of war. For that reason, maile remains one of the most popular lei materials still used today. Continue Reading…

Many people have a bit of a love-hate relationship with tropical flowers. While many people are enticed by their unique beauty and fun colors, they’re also a bit skeptical to grow them. That’s why we’re here to set the record straight! Once you try growing these flowers, you’ll realize that “tropical” is in no way a synonym for “difficult.”

Defining “Tropical Plants”

Don’t let the word “tropical” scare you. In most cases, a tropical plant simply needs a good amount of water and a warm environment to grow in. See? That’s not that scary! If you have a sunroom or ledge that receives a lot of warmth, you’re well on your way to nurturing a tropical flower.

Best Tropical Flowers to Grow in North America

Anthurium

Looking like a cross between a poinsettia and an orchid, anthurium plants add an instant pop of color into any room. More than that, they’re a great conversation starter!

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Nothing ruins a sunny summer day spent out on your porch like the constant buzzing of bees or the bite of a mosquito. But before you assume your garden is the problem, we’re here to tell you that it might actually be the solution — you just have to know what type of flowers to grow!

Plants and Flowers That Repel Bugs

Lavender

While us humans love the relaxing scent of lavender, bugs don’t care for it. In fact, they try their best to avoid it at all costs! If you’re looking to deter moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes from entering your home, try planting bushels of lavender at entryways around your house.

Chrysanthemums

If hard shell bugs are a problem by you, add chrysanthemums to your garden. These colorful little flowers repel everything from roaches and Japanese beetles, to bed bugs, spider mites, and ticks.

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