A wonderful tropical plant that can be found in many fresh markets or florists is the Bird of Paradise. Oftentimes when we find these in a cut stem format the bud is tightly held, it almost looks like a corn husk. If you need them to be in flower for a party and don't have time for them to open, sometimes it can take several days, one can separate the top and fan the petals out. This is just mechanically forcing them into bloom. Inside there are as many as four different, unique flowers, Eric separates them out, gets them ready for the arrangement. It's a quick and easy way to have the bouquet ready without having to wait the extra days for it to come into full bloom.
By Natalie Carmolli, Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs
Also known as Althea in the South, this hardy hibiscus is the plant that shows up when everything else in the garden is running out of steam. Big, tropical looking blooms and weeks of flowers. Rose of Sharon is a great plant, particularly this time of year. To learn more Click here for an interesting article.
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