Anyone not familiar with these rare and now fast-disappearing plants might think that the small woodland Cyclamen is merely a bedraggled offshoot of a once-large specimen purchased at the florist’s.

However, this small dainty plant is a native of Europe, growing in broad-leaved forests, mostly beech/fir mountain stands and lime/ maple woods, and sometimes also in coniferous forests, chiefly in the limestone region of the Alps. This is why it is sometimes called Alpine Violet.

It is the peculiar structure of Columbine which has earned it a place in folk legend. In Nordic mythology it is said to have been a plant of the elves and was dedicated to the Goddess of the Heavens; in the Middle Ages it was a magic plant which featured in sorcery; and more recently one of the American species, the Rocky Mountain Columbine (A. coerulea Sam.) was adopted as the state flower of Colorado.

The hooked spurs on the petal are reminiscent of an eagle’s talons, which suggests a derivation for the name Aquilegia. Or sometimes the Latin name is thought to be a combination of the words aqua, meaning water, and legere, which means to gather – literally a water-gathering plant. It is in fact possible to find spineless flowers in some places, and it is this departure from the norm – thought to be at least partly hereditary – which makes Columbine of interest in genetics.

A spider plant is a great choice for a houseplant. It is attractive and easy to take care of. It is possible to over or under water, but they are much more resilient than other plants. They also have a long life span.

The plants have long leaves that are narrow and come in other variations such as dark green with yellow striping, variegated, speckled and more. A spider plant will grow fast and produce a lot of foliage, which means they are a great choice for decorating. When they grow, they also tolerate being root bound quite well.

The watering requirements of the plant require a very small effort, however do not over water because it can cause root rot. A consistently moist soil with occasional dry periods is best recommended. Spider plants can go for several days without being watered, especially during the fall and winter, when they are less active.

If you see the tips are growing brown or become spotted, you need to change the kind of water you are using. If you have been using tap water, then it is okay depending where you live. If in the city, the water supply may have a high chlorine concentration and possibly fluorine as well. These minerals can damage your plant, so try using rainwater or purified water free of minerals to see if the problem will be alleviated.

Peach-leaved Bellflower is one of the many plants that grow in natural oak/hornbeam woodlands, where it is found in the company of White Cinquefoil (Potentilla alba), Black Pea (Lathyrus niger), Wood Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum corymbosum), and Greater Stitch- wort (Stellaria holostea). Peach-leaved Bellflower is also found amid open shrub growth in hilly country, and is particularly abundant in therniophilous woods and forest margins.

Sometimes, however, it is only here and there that the broad blue bells are seen swaying in the breeze; it does not always occur in such numbers as to form continuous masses. This is a plant of mild climates, particularly abundant in central Europe, its numbers declining towards the boundaries of its range.

Originally growing only in Siberia and Mongolia it is now a weed throughout the whole of Europe, particularly in damp nitrogen-rich soils in the vicinity of human dwellings and in much the same places as Touch-me-not.

Terrestrial orchids – those which grow in the ground – are intimately linked to certain species of fungi and cannot be transplanted at will, not even with a large clump of soil.

From the point of view of man the consumer, those wild plants are undeniably potential pests. Field weeds may devalue crop yields, impede field work, leech valuable minerals from the soil, harbour crop- threatening diseases, and even cause poisoning of livestock.

But is has also been seen in beechwoods and upland meadows. It is often seen in large clusters even in open spaces amidst dwarf pine. Milkweed Gentian rarely grows in foothills. When planted out in parkland, it soon grows wild, forming a widespread carpet of cover.

Large-flowered Hemp-nettle grows in Europe and western Asia from foothills to sub-Alpine elevations; its numbers decrease towards the Atlantic coast.

Hemp-nettles are plants with medicinal properties and were once used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, but they are still useful expectorants. The top parts contain large quantities of silicic acid, tannins, saponins, and flavones. Best known pharmacologically is Red Hemp- nettle (G. lacianum) a field weed which is, however, not native to Britain. Some pharmacopeias, however, also list other species, including Large-flowered Hemp-nettle.

Whenever its possible, plants should be obtained only after artificial heat ceases being required. They are not subjected to fumes or fire and can give off plenty of fresh air, which will result in hardening of the developing foliage and prepares the plants for unfavorable environmental conditions of the dry environment of heated enclosed spaces.

Lots of people, get Christmas gift plants such as Primula obconica, Azalea, Erica and Begonia. The beauty of these plants is quite short-lived and because the plants have been used to a moist environment, therefore they are very tender and do not withstand the hot, arid conditions in some homes.

Cool environment necessary

Caring for house plants in good condition, they need to be set up in as cool a location as possible. Any unheated room will work just fine, providing the temperature does not fall below 65 F. During the cooler nights, place the plants in a warmer room, but keep them away from heat sources and removed to the unheated location as soon as the temperature permits.

Retractable awnings make a fine addition to any home, and are a great way to add functionality to your awnings. Retractable awnings are useful for a range of purposes.

Awnings and patio covers and other ways of providing shade to windows and other parts of the house come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What are the benefits of a retractable awning over a fixed awning?

Of course a fixed awning is really hard to get down, because it’s fixed. A fixed window cover will work well to keep the shade out, but if the weather gets a little stormy they are a real problem. In high winds fixed awnings will thrash around and perhaps get torn or even get dragged from the house and trashed. Damage to your awnings and house is a real possibility.

If there’s a storm coming you could always of course take them all down but it’s time consuming and hard work, and who is really going to do that? It’s very common for fixed window covers to be damaged.

It is difficult for us, with a life-span which is no more than a twinkling of the eye in evolutionary terms, to comprehend the gradual but nonetheless cataclysmic changes which have overtaken our planet to produce the life – and the landscape – which we see around us today.

It was this gradual evolutionary thaw which marked the rapid appearance of our present flora and fauna. Now central Europe was invaded by species with greater heat and moisture requirements – woody plants which gradually formed forests – and a suitable environment for further species followed.

At its peak it extended into Europe as far as the Sudeten and Carpathian Mountains and even covered valleys in the Alps and Vosges. This glaciation had a reiterant character with alternating warmer and cold periods. Naturally, the encroaching ice caused the radical retreat of the more thcrmophilous Tertiary vegetation (and, of course, the fauna) and its gradual replacement by the cold-loving vegetation of the tundras and cold steppes.

The appearance of forest dates from as far back as the early Holocene (roughly between 8300 and 6000 Bc). First, the open pine-birch taiga was enriched by elements of mixed oakwoods, and at higher moister elevations (mostly in the east) by spruce. The remaining open woodless areas were rapidly afforested.

If you are someone who’s fond of cooking and gardening, Aerogarden may be really interesting for you. You could grow herbs, fruits and vegetables right inside your own house. You may sometimes be tired of slow-growing herbs on your garden and this is one way to have your fresh and easy to grow herbs.

If the climate where you live in is not suitable for year-round outdoor gardening, Aerogarden could be a good help. Furthermore, it could be easily installed and you could be counting the days of your herbs to grow in a short period of time.

The efficiency of Aerowater is proven just by using water, air and nutrient for an herb to grow. Its easy step by step procedures includes connecting to pods into a water tank and letting it be moist so that the sprouts will come out. The roots also will be able to grow, thus creating a starting point wherein a good herb will be harvested.

Even on the level of casual observation, the plants of fields and forests, whether in flower or not.

On a morning walk, for instance, we are surprised to find large droplets of water at the tips of the leaves (particularly on their toothed margins) when there has been no rain overnight and the dew is only light.

This phenomenon, called guttation, is caused by root pressure, the small droplets of water being forced upward through interstices in the plant tissues. The leaves of Celandine, Balsam, or Lady’s Mantle demonstrate this phenomenon at its most striking.

A major function of the roots is to anchor the plant in the ground, which they sometimes do very firmly and securely. The roots of some herbaceous plants measure only a few centimetres whereas those of others, particularly in dry regions, extend several metres below the surface of the soil. A second and equally important function of the roots is to draw water and nourishment from the soil. Many plants have the ability to form buds on the roots from which grow organs known as suckers.

Most people envision hours of digging in the dirt and pruning for a gorgeous flower gardens and bountiful vegetable gardens. However, there is another type of garden that doesn’t require as much maintenance and really does not take up that much space; an herb garden. Just think of how much the richer the foods you cook will be when made with your own homegrown herbs.

There are many types of herbs that can be grown and harvested. The most popular among herb gardeners are Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Chives, and Oregano etc. Just take a look in your kitchen cabinets or spice rack and see what you typically keep on hand for cooking. Think of the money you’ll save your herbs on your grocery bill overall. A few hardy plants can supply enough herbs to last you all year.

One of the tricks to growing a healthy herb garden is to have good draining soil. If the soil gets too wet and stays that way for extended periods you will be dealing with unhealthy plants. If your garden is in the ground you can use crushed rock about a foot down into the soil under your garden bed, then just cover with the top soil, this will allow the moisture to drain down.