Kwanzaa-What is it?

Kwanzaa--What is it?

Kwanzaa is not a festival originating in any of the 55 African countries nor is it an "African" Christmas celebration. Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration of life from December 26th to January 1st.

Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Dr. Karenga created this festival for African-American as a response to the commercialism of Christmas. In fact, one might say that Kwanzaa has similarities with Thanksgiving in the United States or the Yam Festival in Ghana and Nigeria. The word "Kwanzaa" is a Swahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning "first."

Five common sets of values are central to the activities of the week: in gathering, reverence, commemoration, re-commitment and celebration. The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Swahili words: 

1. unity (umoja)

2. self-determination (kujichagulia)

3. collective work and responsibility (ujima)

4. cooperative economics (ujamaa)

5. purpose (nia)

6. creativity (kuumba)

7. faith (imani).

Each of the seven candles signify the principles. Similar to Hanukkah, candles are used to represent the concept of the holiday.

The symbols of Kwanzaa includes crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self- actualization. The candle holder (kinara) reminds believers in the ancestral origins in one of 55 African countries. Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants of the several principles and the colors in flags of the African liberation movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green.

Gifts are exchanged. On December 31st, participants celebrate with cuisine from various African countries. Participants greet one another with "Habari gani" which is Swahili for "how are you/ how's the news with you?" 

Kissing Under Mistletoe

Mistletoe refers to any of more than 200 species of semi-parasitic shrubs found worldwide. Mistletoe lives throughout the southern United States, from the Atlantic Coast to California, and on every continent except Antarctica.

Having true parasitic properties, mistletoe is devoid of roots. Instead, the dark green shrub has extensions called holdfasts that grip the host tree, from which the root-like anchors suck water and nutrients. Mistletoe is only found on living trees, which are essential to the mistletoe's survival. In contrast, Spanish moss uses trees dead or alive, but only for support, extracting water and nutrients from the atmosphere.

In the South, tiny yellow flowers bloom on the evergreen mistletoe from fall into winter. The familiar white berries begin to form soon after pollination and resemble little packets of glue around tiny indigestible seeds. A mistletoe plant can be either male or female, and, like a holly tree, only the female plant has berries. Although eating mistletoe berries may potentially be lethal for humans, birds seem to be immune to any toxicity.

The immunity of birds to mistletoe's poisonous qualities is essential to the welfare of the plant. The dispersal and propagation of mistletoe is largely dependent on birds that eat the berries but do not digest the seeds. Ecological studies suggest that seeds are most likely to survive and grow if a bird deposits them on the same species of tree on which the parent plant lived. A spring migration flock of cedar waxwings can result in newly developing mistletoe plants being far away from where the seeds were eaten.

Mistletoe thrives in bright sunlight in the uppermost branches of big oaks and is absent from pines and evergreen hardwoods such as magnolias with needles and leaves that hamper direct sunlight.

Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. They probably originated from two beliefs. One belief was that it has power to bestow fertility. It was also believed that the dung from which the mistletoe would also possess "life-giving" power. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce or warring spouses kiss and make-up. Later, the eighteenth-century English credited with a certain magical appeal called a kissing ball. At Christmas time a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed. Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If the girl was not kissed, she can expect to marry the following year. 

In some parts of England the Christmas mistletoe is burned on the twelfth night lest all the boys and girls who have kissed under it never marry. Whether we believe it or not, it always makes for fun and frolic at Christmas celebrations. Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries as well as in Canada. If a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year's Day. Today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe any time during the holiday season.

hibiscusflowershop.com

How to make a Hanukkah Bush

HANUKKAH BUSH

The holidays can be confusing for children. Some families celebrate Hanukkah and others may celebrate Christmas or Kwanzaa. And some none at all. While Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting candles for 8 days and Kwanzaa for 7. The Christmas tree always sees to stand out. Most likely because of all the beautiful lights. So, parents have seemed to compromise by allowing a Hanukkah Bush. Some argue that they are too close to a Christmas tree--making the only difference the Star of David on the top.

Explaining to our children the differences that each tradition has while maintaining the pride in their own seems to be the best way to go. After all, we are all giving thanks.

So..... for those who would like to add a Hanukkah Bush to their celebration this year. Below are the steps on how to make one. Happy Hanukkah!! 



1. Choose your bush. You can purchase it from a traditional Christmas tree lot, any garden center or you can cut your own.


2. You can decorate a shrub growing in your front yard or use your potted plant for the holiday season.


3. Drape the tree with strings of lights in either white, or blue and white, the traditional Hanukkah colors.


4. Place ornaments of your choice on the branches: maybe miniature menorahs and oil lamps; dreidels made of paper, wood or lightweight clay; stars of David or animals from Noah's ark.


5. Place a large star of David on top of the bush.

What's a Snowflake?

Snowflakes under a microscope

What's a snowflake?

Have you ever looked at a snowflake and wondered how it formed or why it looks different from other snow you might have seen? Snowflakes are a particular form of water ice. Snowflakes form in clouds, which consist of water vapor. When the temperature is 32° F (0° C) or colder, water changes from its liquid form into ice. Several factors affect snowflake formation. Temperature, air currents, and humidity all influence the shape and size. Dirt and dust particles can get mixed up in the water and affect crystal weight and durability. The dirt particles make the snowflake heavier, and can cause cracks and breaks in the crystal and make it easier to melt. Snowflake formation is a dynamic process. A snowflake may encounter many different environmental conditions, sometimes melting it, sometimes causing growth, always changing its structure.

What are common snowflake shapes?
Generally, six-sided hexagonal crystals are shaped in high clouds; needles or flat six-sided crystals are shaped in middle height clouds; and a wide variety of six-sided shapes are formed in low clouds. Colder temperatures produce snowflakes with sharper tips on the sides of the crystals and may lead to branching of the snowflake arms (dendrites). Snowflakes that grow under warmer conditions grow more slowly, resulting in smoother, less intricate shapes.

· 32-25° F - Thin hexagonal plates

· 25-21° F - Needles

· 21-14° F - Hollow columns

· 14-10° F - Sector plates (hexagons with indentations)

· 10-3° F - Dendrites (lacy hexagonal shapes)

Why are snowflakes the same on all sides?
Snowflakes are not the same on all sides. Uneven temperatures, presence of dirt, and other factors may cause a snowflake to be lop-sided. Yet it is true that many snowflakes are symmetrical and intricate. This is because a snowflake's shape reflects the internal order of the water molecules. Water molecules in the solid state, such as in ice and snow, form weak bonds (called hydrogen bonds) with one another. These ordered arrangements result in the symmetrical, hexagonal shape of the snowflake. During crystallization, the water molecules align themselves to maximize attractive forces and minimize repulsive forces. Consequently, water molecules arrange themselves in predetermined spaces and in a specific arrangement. Water molecules simply arrange themselves to fit the spaces and maintain symmetry.

Is it true that no two snowflakes are identical?
Yes and no. No two snowflakes are exactly identical, down to the precise number of water molecules, spin of electrons, isotope abundance of hydrogen and oxygen, etc. On the other hand, it is possible for two snowflakes to look exactly alike and any given snowflake probably has had a good match at some point in history. Since so many factors affect the structure of a snowflake and since a snowflake's structure is constantly changing in response to environmental conditions, it is improbable that anyone would see two identical snowflakes.

If water and ice are clear, then why does snow look white?
The short answer is that snowflakes have so many light-reflecting surfaces they scatter the light into all of its colors, so snow appears white. The longer answer has to do with the way the human eye perceives color. Even though the light source might not be truly 'white' light (e.g., sunlight, fluorescent, and incandescent all have a particular color), the human brain compensates for a light source. Thus, even though sunlight is yellow and scattered light from snow is yellow, the brain sees snow as white because the whole picture received by the brain has a yellow tint that is automatically subtracted. Want more? http://chemistry.about.com

December Birth Flower

HELLO ALL. WE HAD TO POST THIS AGAIN FOR ALL THE DECEMBER BABIES!!

Narcissus

Egotism and Conceit. 

Symbol of Good Fortune.

Narcissus bulbs have been used medicinally for centuries, even though they are poisonous.

Roman soldiers were said to carry them in their first-aid containers.

European peasants applied Narcissus juice, mixed with honey, to cuts and swollen joints.

A doctor named Galen, who was surgeon at the school of Gladiators in Rome, used the juice from narcissus bulbs as his favorite salve to "glue wounds, cuts and gashes together."

In reference to the poisonous properties of the plant, the word narcissus originated from the Greek word "narkeo," meaning "to be stupefied." Lucorcine, which is contained within the bulbs, numbs the nervous system and paralyzes the heart.

Greek mythology relates the origin of the narcissus. Echo, a mountain nymph, fell deeply in love with Narcissus, who was beautiful young man. Narcissus vainly cared for nothing but own beauty, spending all his time viewing his reflection in a pool of water. Narcissus spurned Echo's love until she finally center nothing but her voice as she faded away. Echo's voice ran off into the mountains to mock every other voice it heard. The gods, angry with Narcissus's vanity, changed him into a flower whose fate was to stand by a pool of water nodding at his own image for time eternal.

Mohammed is known to have said, "Let him who hath two loaves sell one, and buy the flower of narcissus: for bread is but food for the body, whereas, narcissus is food for the soul."

Winter Wedding on a Budget

A winter wedding reception on a budget is easy to put together when you know where to cut down on costs and how to find better deals.

Here are tips to help you save money on your winter wedding reception with everything from flower selection to wedding decorations.

Decorations 

Inexpensive winter wedding receptions do not have to look cheap, and with a lot of creativity when decorating it can look expensive on a budget. Instead of allowing the hall to decorate or hiring a designer to plan, buy and decorate yourself. No matter what your wedding theme is, the best thing you can do is keep everything simple and elegant.

To create subtle and romantic lighting, purchase several plain glass bowls, fill them with water and add a floating candle. Dollar store glass bowls and candles look just as good as designer choices. You can also purchase bags of colored marble or stones, match your wedding colors and drop them into the bottom of the bowls.

Flowers 

Flowers can truly transform a winter wedding reception. There are several ways to reduce the costs and keep your wedding reception on a budget if you shop smart for your flowers. Daffodils, tulips, jasmine and amaryllis are all flowers that are pretty and in season. Also consider adding evergreen, holly and other seasonal plants to your wedding flowers.

Another great idea to save money is to buy all the flowers and arrange them yourselves. There are flower shops that sell flowers in bundles at a discounted price just for this purpose. 

Look at our website hibiscusflowershop.com to get ideas for flowers by the bundle. It is very easy to create simple arrangements and bouquets and can save you a huge percentage of your flower budget. We also offer classes in floral arrangement that can help.

Reception Hall 

The biggest cost for a winter wedding reception is usually the rental of a hall, and most of the time it determines the rest of your budget so it pays to be very smart and conservative. Lately, the trend in winter weddings has been to move things home, either to your parents home or the home of a family friend. If you have a friend that is willing to open their doors to host your wedding reception, that is a great gift. If not, here are some other options to look into.

Look for home rentals in the area, vacation rentals or similar listings to see if you can find a cozy cabin or home to host a reception in. Many times a home rental for a week or even just a weekend is a lot less than renting out a reception hall for a couple hours. Using this option makes your winter wedding reception cozy and memorable because you are able to really turn the wedding into a family affair with all the comforts of home.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece ideas

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! If you are looking for ideas to dress your table or not show up empty handed for dinner; here are some. 

Visit hibiscusflowershop.com or call us 718.207.1625 

Autumn Mix

Color Palette

Modern

Simply Daisy

Beautiful

Hibiscus Holiday Tea Recipes

hibiscus cold tea

The holidays are here and with that comes entertaining. Friends, family, lovers.......We are always looking for some yummy drink recipes. Here are some hibiscus recipes that will tempt the palette and have everyone coming back for more.

Before we get started, here is some history and benefits of hibiscus.
Hibiscus is a fragrant flower that can be made into tea. It is served hot and cold, and is popular in various parts of the world including Latin America, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. Hibiscus tea has a tart berry flavor and contains vitamin C. Internal Medicine News has reported that hibiscus tea provides many other benefits, including lowering high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol levels.


Hibiscus Tea with Vodka & Citrus

  1  4 cup(s) water

      2 cup(s) (2 ounces) dried hibiscus flowers, dried rose petals and Red Zinger tea bags

   3  1/3 cup(s) sugar, or to taste

   4  2 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice

·   5  1 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice

  6  1 cup(s) vodka

  7 1 cup(s) ice 

sorrel (hibiscus)

Sorrel (hibiscus) Caribbean style
Ingredients

. dried sorrel leaves (8-16oz bag, larger if making a large pot)--sold in a supermarket or fruit stand (popular in Brooklyn) that sells Caribbean products

. bay leaves

. cinnamon sticks

. brown sugar

. ginger

. strainer

. pot

  1  take a medium-large pan and fill it up with water, bring to a boil

   2 turn the stove off, add the sorrel-10-12 oz if using medium pan, bay leaves-10, cinnamon sticks-6

  3  allow it to simmer covered all day or overnight

  4  look into the pot, the water should look dark red--taking the color from the dried sorrel, strain the pots contents into another bowl or larger pot, squeeze the sorrel with your hands to make sure that you get all of its juice out, take out the bay leaves, the cinnamon sticks should look puffed up (that's good because it means that the flavor is now in the pot) 

  5  once the sorrel is in the other pot or bowl, add ginger--you can either use the juice from the ginger or chop the ginger and strain it to get the juice out, stir, than add sugar (dissolves better if warm)--taste it to make sure that you do not over sweeten it

 6  for a holiday zing, add rum

   7 sorrel can be served warm or cold

      

   Enjoy!! Have any holiday drink recipes? Post them. We would love to try them.

Pre-Black Friday Sale

Bows by designer Bweela Steptoe

Pre-Black Friday Sale with Artists and Designers

Featuring designer Bweela Steptoe

Come support your local businesses!!

Sunday, 

November 18, 2012

12-7

Commons Brooklyn

388 Atlantic Avenue

(bet. hoyt and bond)

Holiday Craft Sale

I know, I know!! It was just summer and now the holiday's and the new year are here. It was bound to happen. So.... in celebration, we are having a holiday craft sale. Featuring homemade goods by Brooklyn Artisans, designers, crafters and of course Hibiscus will be there. We will have bunches of sweet smelling eucalyptus, hand-tied holiday swags, plants and more......

Come and check it out. 

When: Saturday & Sunday December 15 & 16th from 12-6pm. 

Where: Fountain Studios--604 Grand Avenue (bet. St. Marks & Bergen)

For more info or to be a vendor -- contact fountainstudiosny.com

Life Cycle of the Marijuana Plant

Marijuana aka Cannabis Sativa

There has been a lot of talk on whether marijuana should be made legal. Some say, why not? Wasn't alcohol once illegal? Alcohol has been said to be just as harmful to your body-both physically and mentally as marijuana.  Should the Federal government go ahead and make marijuana legal and avoid the headache of people sneaking around selling it and smoking it? We also need to take into consideration the medical uses. 

That being said. Drug or just a plant?

We say it's a plant that grows just like any other. So, here we go....

The 6 Life Cycles of the Cannabis Plant

Germination:
This is the initial stage of growth and occurs when your seed’s embryo cracks open and the seedling produces a root. This root fixes itself into the soil and pushes the newborn seeding up and over the soil surface. Following surface contact two embryonic leaves open outwards to receive sunlight, pushing the empty seed shell away from the seedling. It takes anywhere between 12 hours to 3 weeks for seeds to germinate. Once the plant has reached this stage it goes into the seedling stage.

Seedling Stage:
After the first pair of embryonic leaves are receiving light, the plant will begin to produce another small set of new leaves. These leaves are different from the last and may have some Marijuana characteristics such as the three rounded finger shaped points. As the seedling grows more of these leaves are formed and bush upwards along with a stem. Some stems are very weak at this stage and need the support of a small thin wooden stake tied to the seedling with some fine thread. The seedling stage can last between 1 and 3 weeks. At the end of the seedling stage your plant will have maybe 4 - 8 new leaves. Some of the old bottom leaves may drop off.

Vegetative Growth:
The plant now begins to grow at the rate which its leaves can produce energy. At this stage the plant needs all the light and food it can get. It will continue to grow upwards producing new leaves as it moves along. It will also produce a thicker stem with thicker branches and with more fingers on the leaves. It will eventually start to show its sex. When it does this it is time for the plant’s pre-flowering stage. It can take anywhere between 1 and 5 months for the plant to hit this next stage.

Pre-flowering:
At this stage the plant slows down in developing its height and starts to produce more branches and nodes. The plant fills out in the pre-flowering stage. During this phase of the plant cycle your plant will start to show a calyx which appears where the branches meet the stem (nodes). Pre-flowering can take anywhere between 1 day to 2 weeks.

Flowering:
During this stage the plant continues to fill out. The plant will show its sex clearly. The male plant produces little balls that are clustered together like grapes. The female plant produces little white/cream pistils that look like hairs in a pod. Each of the plants will continue to fill out more and their flowers will continue to grow. It can take anywhere between 4 to 16 weeks for the plant to fully develop its flowers. During this time the male’s pollen sacks would have burst spreading pollen to the female flowers.

Seed:
The female plant will produce seeds at this point if she has received viable pollen from a male plant. The seeds grow within the female bud and can take anywhere between 2 weeks to 16 weeks, to grow to full maturity. The female pistils may change color before finally bursting the seedpods, sending them to the soil below.

These are the six stages of the life cycle of a cannabis plant. It is important to know that if the males are separated from the females and killed off then the females will not become pollinated.

Questions, comments? Let us know.

Happy Gardening!

Recipe for Winter Mix of Potpourri

Fun Winter Mix

Evergreen Cone

4 cups of mixed small evergreen cones, acorn tops and cedar chips 

1 cup broken bay leaves 

1 cup boxwood branches snipped into 1" lengths (or use bayberry leaves if available) 

1/2 cup bayberry bark, 1 cup oakmoss, 1/2 cup broken star anise 

If you have some dried red roses add 1/2 to 1 cup for more color 

Place 3 tablespoons of chopped orris root or chopped calamus root in a glass container with 3 tbs. of frankincense tears. Add 7 drops bayberry oil, 10 drops cedar oil, and 10 drops balsam or spruce oil. Stir till blended and oils are distributed evenly. Add to the remaining ingredients, then stir and place in a closed container for 3-4 weeks. 

**A note about powdered fixatives:  In potpourri that will be displayed, the powder can be seen and will look less attractive and will not hold the scent as well as chopped fixatives.

Potpourri in 4 Easy Steps

Make Your Own Potpourri
In 4 easy steps

STEP 1

Collect flowers such as mint blossoms, hydrangeas, roses, rudebeckia, Queen's Anne's Lace, and other available blossoms. Be adventurous! Try drying any leaf or bloom that you think might make a good potpourri ingredient. Place blooms on a screen, or a tray covered with paper towels. Keep them in a warm airy place. If drying on a tray, turn the blooms every day. Flowers may also be hung upside down in small bunches. When they are thoroughly dry, store in closed containers away from light. If you don't like the way it dries, just pitch it out and try something else. Remember, looks are more important than smell for your flowers; later you can add whatever fragrance you like using essential oils.

Helpful hints:
Flowers and leaves are dry when they feel slightly brittle. Check frequently. If over dried, they will lose all their oil and crumble easily.

Store each type of dried flower in separate containers. Glass jars with tight lids are a good choice. Check the jars after two or three days. If any moisture is visible, remove the lid and dry more.

Continue drying flowers all fall; by spring/summer; you will have enough to make potpourri for yourself and all your friends.

When it is time to make the potpourri, you will need to decide on a fixative as well as which oils you will use to make a great smelling potpourri. Some good fixatives are orris root, calamus root, oakmoss and tonka bean. Whole or crushed spices like allspice, cinnamon sticks and cloves may also be added.

STEP 2

The material you have gathered may not have enough fragrance on it's own, or you may want a different scent. By blending different oils with the plant material you can have just about any fragrance you desire. Always use top quality oils and other ingredients. Your potpourri will not only smell better, but will hold its scent much longer. Some good scent choices are floral, citrus, herbal or spicy. If some of your flowers are very fragrant, then you will probably want to use their fragrance for your basic scent. If your ingredients are showy but with little odor, you can choose almost any scent. Just be sure that the look and smell of the potpourri go together. If you haven't had much experience blending oils, it would be wise to only use three. Choose your dominant scent, and pick one or two other oils for accents. Test to see if you like the mixture. Take a cotton ball and place it in a small glass jar which has a tight fitting lid. Put 4 drops of your dominant oil, and add two drops of the first accent oil, and one drop of the second accent oil. For instance: Four drops rose geranium oil, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop patchouli oil. Close jar for 24 hours. Then open the jar, let it breathe, then sniff. Don't stick your nose into the jar-hold it about 6 inches away. If you don't like the mix, either add more oil or start over with another blend.

STEP 3

When you are happy with your fragrance you are ready to make the potpourri. Always measure and write down the amounts of plant material and oils you use. Keep a notebook to remind yourself of your successes (and failures) for future reference. For each quart of leaves and petals you will need at least 2 tablespoons of chopped (not powdered) orris root, calamus root, or other fixative. **A note about powdered fixatives:  In potpourri that will be displayed, the powder can be seen and will look less attractive and will not hold the scent as well as chopped fixatives. Place the chopped root into a large glass container that has a tight fitting lid. Choose the oil(s) you want to use For a floral scent some good choices are rose, lavender, violet, lilac, honeysuckle, bergamot or ylang ylang. For a spicier fragrance, try carnation. Put at least 12 drops of your dominant oil over the chopped root, 6 drops of the second accent oil and 3 drops of the third accent oil, then stir. Stir again and close the top. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for several days. Open the jar: if you like the fragrance, add your leaves and petals, stirring carefully and thoroughly mix well. Replace top, and set in cool dark place for several weeks. Every few days, shake the container gently. After 4-6 weeks the potpourri should be ready to use.

STEP 4

Now you're ready to reap the benefits of your endeavor. Put the potpourri into containers to give as gifts or keep for your own enjoyment. If you are not happy with the fragrance, crushed spices or more oil can be added. Oils which help blend scents are coconut fragrance, vanilla, tonka, sandalwood and lemon. Other ingredients which blend well with floral scents are dried peel of orange, tangerine, lemon or grapefruit, crushed seeds of fennel, or anise, crushed cloves, allspice, broken cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. Fixatives besides orris or calamus include clary sage leaves, oak moss, tonka beans and deertongue. Vetiver root is a good fixative for heavily-fragranced potpourri. Over the last few years, other fixatives have come into use such as ground corn cobs (called ground cellulose), or natural or dyed wood chips. Use as you would chopped orris. To get the most enjoyment from your potpourri, remember to stir it occasionally when you pass to release more fragrance into the air. When your potpourri begins to lose its fragrance you can add a few more drops of the original oil, or a new scent can be made by using a fresh fixative and different oils (your fragrance will last for many months if you used good quality oils in the proper amounts).

If you are using only one flower such as lavender or roses, you may still wish to add a few drops of the essential oil for a stronger, longer lasting scent. Dried leaves of lemon verbena will add a decorative touch and they smell great. 

Have a favorite recipe? Share it with us info@hibiscusflowershop.com

Each submission will receive a $5 OFF coupon. Remember to include your email address!!

World's Oldest Flower

Did you Know.....

Archaefructus Sinensis

Scientists discovered the world’s oldest flower in 2002, in northeast China. The flower, named Archaefructus Sinensis bloomed around 125 million years ago and resembles a water lily.


How much does the Water Lily below look like it? Comment below.

Water Lily

The November Flower

The Chrysanthemum 

Means love & Cheerfulness. This pretty fall bloomer can add color to your garden. When choosing a mum; look for "hardy" this means that it will come back year after year. But if you like a temporary color fix, choosing an annual is okay. Available in yellow, purple, orange, browns and pinks. Plant in pots or directly into the ground, mulch to keep warm if planted in the ground. Email info@hibiscusflowershop.com for questions or info. 

Happy Fall!!

Scotland's National Flower

Did you know.....


Hundreds of years ago, when Vikings invaded Scotland, they were slowed by patches of wild thistle, allowing the Scots time to escape. Because of this, the wild thistle was named Scotland’s national flower.

Thistle

$5 OFF COUPON

Min. purchase of $30 online or phone orders.  Code 5OFF
Expires 12/24/12. Does not include tax, delivery.

Happy Election Day!

Let's Vote!!!

Happy Election Day!!

Grapes, Wine & Rainbows

DID YOU KNOW....

Ancient Egyptians collecting grapes for wine

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that grapes were grown to make wine about 8,000 years ago in Mesopotamia (today's Iraq), although the ancient Egyptians were the first to record the process of making wine about 5,000 years ago.

Iris means "rainbow" in Greek, and Iris was goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology.

 

Our Heart To All

Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, property and power in Hurricane Sandy.

Feel free to post any comments, stories or pictures that you would like to share.

-----your friends at hibiscus

FUN PLANT FACTS

DID YOU KNOW......

orchid pod

Vanilla flavoring comes from the pod of an orchid, Vanilla planifolia. Though the pods are called vanilla beans, they're more closely related to corn than green beans.

pineapple

The word pineapple comes from European explorers who thought the fruit combined the look of a pinecone with flesh like that of an apple. Pineapples are the only edible members of the bromeliad family.

bromeliad

FUN FLOWER & PLANT FACTS

DID YOU KNOW.......


Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant in the world; it can grow 35 inches in a single day.

BAMBOO

During the 1600s, tulips were so valuable in Holland that their bulbs were worth more than gold. The craze was called tulip mania, or tulipomania, and caused the crash of the Dutch economy. Tulips can continue to grow as much as an inch per day after being cut. Even today they are more expensive than standard tulips. You can usually see the difference because Dutch tulips are taller and the bloom is sometimes larger.

DUTCH TULIPS

Largest Flower in the World

Did you know.......

Titan Arums

The largest flower in the world is the Titan Arums, which produces flowers 10 feet high and 3 feet wide. The flowers smell of decaying flesh and are also known as corpse flowers. 

FALL GARDEN COUPONS

 $25 and $50 OFF COUPONS* 

for fall gardens to clean-up and prep.

*Call 718.207.1625 or email info@hibiscusflowershop.com for details. New customers only. Minimum purchase required.

FUN FLOWER & PLANT FACTS

Torenia, a shade-loving annual, is called the wishbone flower. Look for tiny wishbone-shape stamens inside the purple, blue or burgundy petals.

Learn more about wishbone flower.

redwood

The world's tallest-growing tree is the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which grows along the Pacific Coast of the United States, mainly in California. Interestingly enough, it's not the world's oldest-growing tree; that award goes to a bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata).

bristlecone pine

October Flower & Plant

The October Birth Flower is the Calendula (Marigold). The meaning is sorrow or sympathy. The Sign of the zodiac and dates are Libra - September 24 - October 23. The birthstone is the Opal.

The characteristics of Libra are charming, perceptive, diplomatic, pleasant and refined.

Sedum are succulent plants adapted to dry conditions. The thick fleshy leaves store water. Low mat forming species often have a wide variety of leaf and flower color, and are great for rock gardens, or groundcovers even on hot, dry slopes. Taller species have beautiful fall color, give wonderful color in borders. All sedums are nice in containers. Full sun, (partial shade for some cultivars). Well-drained, ordinary soil. Very drought-tolerant. No fertilizer needed. Divide anytime, best in early spring. Very large plants that need staking should be divided. Cutting back stems in spring if you like to see the flower heads poke through the snow.October Flower & Plant