Fun Flower Facts

The first official day of spring, March 20th, is a date worth celebrating! Examine your garden closely and you’re sure to find the first signs of the season peeking through the ground, awaiting those first rays of sunshine to help them grow to their full potential. Look for the many crocuses popping up their colorful heads as the first true sign of spring.

While spring is known as the season of rebirth and growth, there are a few floral superstars that definitely stand out from the rest. Whether you prefer yellow flowers, blue flowers, purple flowers, or simple white blooms, spring flowers bloom in all sorts of different colors!

Types of Spring Flowers:

Here are some of the most popular spring flowers; use them to create stunning spring bouquets or to simply add some freshness to your home!

Daffodil

One of the first signs of the approaching spring season includes daffodil heads rising from the depths of winter. There are many different varieties and shades of daffodils, from golden yellow to combinations of yellow and white. Fun Fact: this popular spring flower used to be called the “affodil.” The “d” in “daffodil” was first added in 1538.

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It seems like John Lennon was right when he said, “love is like a flower, give it time and it will grow.” Romance is a complex mixture of panic, excitement, and joy. And while you may feel as though love and affection are entirely up to you, there’s actually a lot of science going on behind the scenes that you may not even realize. Here are some fun facts about romance you may not have known:

Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?

According to researchers, it only takes 4 minutes to decide whether or not you like someone. Maybe that’s why we put so much stress on a first date! Hugging someone actually releases a chemical from your brain called oxytocin. When this hormone is released, it triggers feelings of intimacy and comfort. Continue Reading…

While we know Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, there is plenty more to the holiday than just that. After the Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage, Saint Valentine continued to marry men and women in secret. Even then, it was traditional for men and women to exchange flowers on their wedding day, as a sign of good luck and the start of a “blooming” relationship. Today, we continue to celebrate love on February 14th, the day Saint Valentine died, by exchanging flowers, and the more modern chocolates and teddy bears. But just how many flowers, candy and teddy bears is it really?

Whether you’re single and ready to mingle or coupled up for Valentine’s Day, here are a few fun facts about our most beloved holiday.

Valentine’s Day Facts:

• Every year, more than 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolates are sold across the country.
• Sorry men, it looks like you’ll be spending twice as much as women this year on gifts. The average man spends $130 on Valentine’s Day, while women spend about $70.
• Don’t forget about your pets! Every year, around 9 million people buy their pets a Valentine’s Day gift.
• February 14th is the second largest card giving day of the year, just after Christmas. This year, it’s expected that 1 billion cards will be exchanged around the world.
• Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by kids, mothers, wives and girlfriends.
• Hallmark was one of the first to mass produce a Valentine’s Day card, all the way back in 1913.
• More than one-third of men are comfortable not receiving anything from a lover on Valentine’s Day.

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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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Feel like it’s time to update your home’s look, but you’re not sure where to start? Forget the hardware store — turn to the Great Outdoors for your inspiration! Indoor plants make functional decorations that add color and life to your home, while simultaneously cleaning the air.

Bring the tranquil nature of a garden inside this season by growing these indoor plants in your bedroom, kitchen, living room- any room!

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