There is great diversity among Brugmansia flowers, with individual blooms ranging in size from 4″ to 24″ long depending on the species/cultivar. They come in many shades of white, yellow, gold, orange, peach and pink. There are singles, doubles, triples, and quadruples and a few shredded forms, and variety of funnel and trumpet shapes. Some cultivars bloom throughout the growing season, others flower in flushes every 6-8 weeks, while some only produce flowers in cool weather. Some produce lots of flowers while others have few flowers. Flowering, flower color and flower form are all affected by light levels, pH levels, nutrition, stress, temperature and humidity, so flowering may vary even for the same cultivar depending on the location and conditions where it is grownFragrance varies considerably, too, with intensity ranging from none (B. sanguinea) to overpowering. The intoxicating scents are variously described as musk, lemon, mint, lily, hyacinth, citrus, jasmine, gardenia, and more. Regardless, the fragrance is most noticeable on warm summer evenings. At one time these plants were included in the genus Datura but taxonomists have divided the two groups into different genera. Brugmansias are a long-lived, woody perennial, eventually reaching heights of over 20 feet in frost-free areas. They have downward to slightly outward-facing, large (6″ to 24″ long) trumpet-shaped blooms, in shades of white, cream, yellow, peach, orange, pink, and red and rarely set seed. In contrast, Daturas are a short-lived herbaceous perennial (they rarely live more than 3-4 years even in frost-free areas), are usually grown as an annual, and rarely exceed heights over 6 feet. Their smaller (2″ to 8″ long) white, cream, yellow, lavender or purple flowers are held upright above the plants and set seed freely. No Shipping AK, HI

Flowering shrubs and bushes add color and beauty to your landscape and attract pollinators and birds. Here are long-blooming perennial shrubs for a colorful 4-season garden.

Discover the beauty of nature through our collection of botanical photographs and digital floral art in our Photos of the Week collection.

Hello Crafty friends, Today’s post for the Global Creative project challenge will have a different theme each week, and this week’s theme is to CASE THE DESIGNER my lovely talented friend KAYLA RENEE. Here is my card for the challenge. #GDP444 I used the MEDITERRANEAN BLOOMS suite to create this project, Very simple to make this ... Read More about Stampin’ Up! Starburst Card – MEDITERRANEAN BLOOMS Suite

500pcs Jasmine Nicotiana Tobacco Seeds/NICOTIANA ALATA-Sweet Fragrance/FL632 Sow Nicotiana seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost. Press the flower seeds into the starter mix, but do not cover. Or directly sow Nicotiana flower seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed. The plant will easily bloom within 10 - 12 weeks after sowing the Jasmine Tobacco seeds. It requires average water, good soil, and balanced fertilizer during the blooming season. In many areas, if the Nicotiana plant is cut back in the fall, it will come back the next spring just like a perennial. Temperature: 70 - 75F (21-23 C) Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days Light Required: Yes Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination Plant Spacing: 14 inches Season: Annual USDA Zones: 3 - 10 Height: 24 inch Bloom Season: Summer through fall Environment: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Normal, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8 Temperature: 70 - 75F (21-23 C) Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days Light Required: Yes Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination Plant Spacing: 14 inches Planting Indoors: Place individual pots on a tray and fill them to within 1/2 inch of the top with potting soil. Moisten the soil with water. Lay the seeds in the center of the pots on top of the soil. The seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them with soil. Slide the tray of pots into a plastic bag and seal the bag. Place it in a location with temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide bright but indirect sunlight. Germination takes 14 to 21 days. Remove the plastic bag when the seedlings germinate, and place the tray of seeds in the light of a sunny window. Keep the soil moist but not wet or soggy. Discard water that collects in the tray under the seeds every time you water the seedlings. Harden off the seedlings when all danger of frost has passed. Place the tray of seedlings in a shady outdoor location for two hours at first, gradually increasing the amount of sunlight and the length of time outdoors over a period of 10 days to two weeks. Dig a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost into the garden soil, and then level the soil with a garden rake. Transplant the seedlings into the garden, spacing them 18 to 24 inches apart. Planting Outdoors: Work a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost into the garden soil, and rake the soil to prepare a level space for your seeds. Moisten the garden bed with water, and press the seeds lightly onto the top of the soil once all danger of frost has passed. Don’t cover the seeds with soil; doing so would block necessary light. Water gently if the soil begins to dry out before the seedlings emerge. Thin the seedlings to 18 to 24 inches apart when they have two sets of true leaves. Tips Nicotiana needs full sun in locations with mild temperatures and afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. Most potting soils contain enough nutrients to support the seedlings until you transplant them outdoors. If you made your own mix from vermiculite, perlite, peat moss or other materials that don’t contain nutrients, water the seedlings weekly with half-strength liquid fertilizer beginning three weeks after germination. Clip out extra seedlings with scissors when more than one plant emerges in a pot. If you started your seedlings in peat pots, tear off the upper part of the pot before transplanting. When part of the peat pot is exposed above the soil, it wicks water away from the roots. You can use a slow-release fertilizer instead of compost if you prefer.

Flowering shrubs and bushes add color and beauty to your landscape and attract pollinators and birds. Here are long-blooming perennial shrubs for a colorful 4-season garden.

Common Name: Persian Cress Organic Scientific Name: Lepidium sativium L. Life Cycle: Annual Remarks: Productive, easy-to-grow greenery. Airy, yet sturdy branches filled with tiny seed pods that resemble silvery-green coins. A great cut flower bouquet filler. We recommend multiple plantings about two weeks apart for a continuous harvest. A great salad green-Persian Cress leaves are edible and have a mild, peppery flavor. Plant Height: 90-100 cm Season: Spring Sowing Depth + Method: Direct seed (recommended) - Sow as soon as soil can be worked. Cover seeds with 6mm soil. Thin when first true leaves appear. Transplant - Sow 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow into punnets. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors. Support may be required. Spacing: 5-15cm Position: Full Sun Days until Germination: 2-5 days Seed to Bloom: 65-75 days Harvest: Fresh: Harvest fresh stems or when seed pods have matured. Dried :Harvest when seed pods have matured and hang to dry.Approx. Number of Seeds: 50 Note:  Dispatch to W.A is once weekly due to quarantine restrictions upon arrival.

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Tragically, wild violet season ended in the SE MN forest a few weeks ago. While they were still blooming, I made a vibrant pink simple syrup from their petals and saved a few in a mason jar in the …