Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!
Find Your Local Florist:
Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!

More Than Pretty Blooms

MORE THAN PRETTY BLOOMS BLOG

Often times we simply just look at flowers.  We admire their beauty and grace, and never stop to think of what more they might be able to offer.  Many flowers that are commonly found in bouquets are also edible or have been used for medicinal purposes*.  Sometimes they are mistaken for weeds or wildflowers. These flowers are frequently found in flower beds as well as florists’ shops.  

yay-5542734-digital
Feverfew
Feverfew is known by many names and is a relative of the chrysanthemum.  This delicate, white flower looks similar to a daisy and may be mistaken for a common weed.  They grow in barren places outdoors, but can also be grown indoors or found in gardens.  They can become invasive.  

Feverfew has been used for hundreds of years to treat migraines.  The leaves can be eaten directly, but are said to be bitter or can be brewed into a tea.  Feverfew also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat arthritis, allergies, and insect bites.

[Read more…]

The Most Popular Iris In The World — Flag Iris

One of the most well known symbols, the fleur-de-lis is seen all over the globe! While it’s name means “Lily Flower” it’s beginnings did not start with the lily. Instead, it’s widely thought to be a stylized version of the species Iris pseudacorus or the Flag Iris.

Yellow Flag Iris - Fleur De Lis

As you can see, the flag iris is a bit different from the normal irises we usually see in our gardens. The upper petals are not as pronounced as regular bearded irises, but it looks just like the fleur de lis.

According to Pierre-Augustin Boissier de Sauvages, a French naturalist and lexicographer:

Flag Iris - Fleur De LisThis flower, or iris, looks like our fleur-de-lis not just because of its yellow colour but also because of its shape: of the six petals, or leaves, that it has, three of them are alternatively straight and meet at their tops. The other three on the opposite, bend down so that the middle one seems to make one with the stalk and only the two ones facing out from left and right can clearly be seen, which is again similar with our fleurs-de-lis.

The fleur de lis has been used throughout history as a political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic icon, especially for heraldry, all over the world and as far back as history can remember. It’s interesting to see see this yellow flower pop up in anything from the oldest paintings to the most modern fashion. The fleur de lis is a classic symbol that is sure to be around for generations to come. Whether you’re in the French Quarter for Mardi Gras, New York for fashion week, or strolling the streets of Europe, keep your eyes peeled for the world’s favorite iris — the Flag Iris!

Interesting Pink Flower Is A Celosia

Ask the Expert: What is this flower?

Cockscomb - Celosia

Cockscomb - Celosia

It grows along my driveway among a ton of wildflowers….just moved into this place in East Tennessee and have never seen these before. Jan

Plant Expert Reply:
This interesting pink flower is commonly called cockscomb because it resembles the comb of a rooster. The genus name is Celosia. The perennial cockscomb is Celosia argentea and the annual types fall under Celosia spicata. The perennial cultivars of this plant will have either the crested, coral-like heads of tightly clustered flowers (combs) or open, feathery, pyramidal flowerheads. The annual cultivars will display open, compact, erect, cylindrical flower spikes. I am assuming by the look of the flower in the picture it is a Celosia argentea.

An interesting addition to the garden, Celosia is also a versatile flower for decorating. Florists use it both as a cut flower in fresh arrangements and as a dried flower in permanent arrangements.  So enjoy this wonderful flower while you can – a killing frost will put them to rest for the winter.

What Is This Yellow Wildflower From Kentucky?

Type Of Helianthus

Type Of Helianthus

Ask the Expert: Yellow Wildflower – grows in Kentucky
This flower (I’m sorry the pick is somewhat past bloom) grows all along the farm – my friend believes it to be wild cosmos… and I didn’t think there was a cosmos genus around here – could you help us out?

Thank you! Anne

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a type of Helianthus.  Kentucky has many wild species of Helianthus.  My best guess would be one of the following: Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy Sunflower), Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved Woodland Sunflower) or Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke).  Of course it is a little hard to tell without an open bloom.

What Is This Purple Wildflower With Small White Flower Inside?

Clarkia elegans Blooms

Clarkia elegans Blooms

Clarkia elegans

Clarkia elegans

Ask the Expert: Could you please help identify this wildflower?
This purple wildflower (with small white flowers inside) grew from a packet of wildflower seeds. It is currently growing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Could you please help me identify it? I would love to grow more of it, but have no idea what it is!
Thanks in advance for your help. Lindsay

Plant Expert Reply:

It looks like a form of Clarkia unguiculata or Clarkia elegans. It is an annual flower that is naturally found on dry, open slopes in North America to South America. Some Clarkia make good cut flowers. I’m not sure if this species does, but you might try cutting a few stems.

Do You Know What Biking And Flowers Have In Common?

Are you into bike riding? I ride my bicycle all of the time. I’m kind of addicted to the feeling of the breeze in my face. The tightness in my abs lets me know that I’m also getting my daily dose of exercise but in a fun way. The burn in my legs drives the feeling home. I never knew that flowers and bike riding had anything to do with each other, but biking with the honey showed me how the two come together seamlessly.

We were biking together at a local state park in June (and every weekend since then) when it just suddenly dawned on me. They may not be cut fresh flowers, but the flowers scattered all over the sides of the path were absolutely gorgeous. We rode a bit farther than we would have otherwise because we were admiring the nature around us. That’s not really like him so I was quite impressed that our surrounding caught him like that also. After all, we’ve been there dozens of times before. It wasn’t until we began biking the paths that we’d walked together before that we discovered just how pretty flowers are whether in a vase or in the woods.

I hope to have a similar experience when I do my other favorite outdoor activity next weekend–kayaking. Even if I don’t, I’ll always have that surreal moment when he and I noticed together that something that we love (biking) was always surrounded by something we take for granted (wildflowers).

This Wildflower Is Called Yellow Goat’s Beard

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flower?

Tragopogon dubius

Tragopogon dubius

Yellow Goat's Beard

Yellow Goat's Beard


I have this plant in my garden. It just appeared there early this year and it only blooms in the early morning. It is beautiful and I would like to know the name.

Thank you, Mini

Plant Expert Reply:

This wildflower is called Yellow Goat’s Beard (Tragopogon dubius).  It is often found in fields, meadows, waste ground, roadsides, railroads and blooms April through July.

What Is This Orange Flower Blooming On San Juan Island Washington?

Ask the Expert: Can someone please identify this flower?

Eschscholzia californica

Eschscholzia californica

I’m trying to identify the orange flower in the foreground of the attached picture. These were all over the place on San Juan Island, Washington, US. This picture was taken in September 2008. Jason

Reply:

Jason,

I’m fairly certain that this wildflower is a form of Eschscholzia californica or commonly called California Poppy. Although it is the state flower of California it can be found from western Washington State south to Baja California, and east to western Texas.