Tag: edible flower

HIBISCUS: Properties and Benefits of a Beautiful Flower

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Malvaceae Gender: Hibiscus Common names: Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, Rose of Sharon Hibiscus genus include hundreds of species widely cultivated and appreciated for their large, showy flowers. They are large with five or more petals, typically trumpet-shaped and come in all types of colors. Leaves are alternate, deep green lanceolate, often with a toothed margin. Hibiscus is a perennial and flowers through the year attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. These plants are generally very hardy and versatile, thrive in tropical conditions but can enhance the beauty of one’s garden in…

ECHINACEA: A Powerful Herb with Immune System Boosting Proprieties

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Names: Purple Coneflowers, Echinacea Species: Echinacea Family: Asteraceae   Echinacea species are herbaceous, drought-tolerant perennial plants growing up to 140 cm or 4 feet tall. This perennial flowering plants in the daisy family can easily grow from seeds, rather than being transplanted. CULTIVATION Echinacea seeds grow into a bulb-like structures called rhizomes. Scatter the seeds onto a paper towel moisten with water, then slide the paper towel into a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate for two months. Prepare the garden plot while the seeds go through stratification, then place them…

NASTURTIUM: Properties and Benefits of a Natural Antibiotic

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Tropaeolaceae Species: Tropaeolum majus Common Names: Common Nasturtium, Garden Nasturtium, Indian Cress It is a herbaceous annual plant with trailing stems growing to 1 meter long. Leaves are large, circular with distinct veins, 3 to 15 cm in diameter, flowers are 3-6 cm diameter, with five petal; and a long nectar spur at the rear. They vary from yellow to red, often darker at the base of the petals. The fruit is 2 cm broad, three-segmented, each segment with a single large seed. Native to South America, today it…

SEDUM: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Crussulaceae Species: Sedum Common Names: Sedastrum, Sedum, Stonecrops There are an impressive 300 more different species of these succulent plants, which are also called Stonecrop as they are often found in the wild growing on rocky ledges. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Mostly is a perennial plant with thick, succulent leaves, fleshy stems, and clusters of star-shaped flowers. So many varieties of this plants makes them suitable for almost all types of garden designs. Use low–growing ones varieties as ground covers and in rock gardens, and…

NASTURTIUM FLOWERS PESTO: Spice up Your Recipes

Freak of Natural Staff

  Happy day to all!  Some may be already familiar with Nasturtium and the uses of this edible and generous plant in our kitchens, because all parts of the plant are edible, nutritious and delicious! In this post let’s see one of many way it can be used in our kitchen, one of my favorite: nasturtium pesto sauce. Both leaves and flowers can be used to make a tasty pesto sauce. In this recipe I will use only flowers that add a fresh summerish touch to any dish. The peculiarity of…

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS: Not Just a Bless for Your Skin and Garden

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, Calendula Species: Calendula Officinalis Family: Astareaceae   Calendula Officinalis is an annual short-life aromatic plant native to the Mediterranean, but widely spread around the globe and cultivated for centuries as food and for its medical many uses. Calendulas are considered by many gardening experts as among the easiest and most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially because they tolerate most soils and climates. CULTIVATION Seeds have a distinct curved shape almost looking like little worms, and are sown in spring in temperate climates…

MULLEIN: The Herb that Fights Infections

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Name: Mullein, Verbascum, Candlewick Plant, Lungwort Genus: Verbascum Family: Scrophulariaceae   Mullein is a biennial o perennial plant growing tall and up to 2 meters. In its first year produce a dense rosette of wooly leaves at ground level, while the second it sends up huge flower spikes with many bright densely clustered yellow flowers which only open for one day. Mullein plants produces plenty of seeds each second year and some of them can lie dormant for as many as one hundred years, reason why is easily find growing…

DIANTHUS: The Flower of The Gods

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Caryophyllaceae Genus: Dianthus Common Name: Dianthus, Sweet William, Carnations   Dianthus plants can be annual, biennial or perennial. The name refers to a genus of approximate 300 species distributed in Asia, Europe and Africa. The most common and cultivated varieties are Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation), D. plumarius (pink), D. barbatus (sweet william) and D.Chinensis. Flowers are most often in pink, salmon, red and white with a slender foliage spread on thick stems. CULTIVATION Dianthus are one of the oldest cultivated flowers, treasured for centuries for their scent and their ease of…

PEONY: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Family: Paeoniaceae Species: Peony Common Names: Peony, Paeony   Peony is a flowering plant  native to Asia, Europe and Western North America. They are among the most popular garden plants in temperate regions, with 40 distinguished species. Mostly are herbaceous perennial plants up to 1 meter tall, but some are woody shrubs can stretch up to 3.5 meters (11 ft) tall. They have  deeply lobed leaves and large, often fragrant flowers, in colors ranging from purple red to white or yellow, flowering from late spring.  Peonies are usually propagated by…

SNAPDRAGON: Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Names: Snapdragon,  Lion’s Mouth, Antirrhinum, Dog’s Mouth, Dragon Flower Species: Antirrinum Major Family: Plantaginaceae   Snapdragons are attractive ornamental plants which have some health benefits too. Its flowers resemble to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed, hence the name. An appreciated garden plant, perennial, widely cultivated from tropical to temperate zones as a bedding, herbaceous border or pot plant. CULTIVATION This peculiar flower can repeat bloom throughout the season, but do best in the cool of spring and fall and throughout the…

COMMON MALLOW: Properties, Uses and Benefits

Freak of Natural Staff

  Common Names: Common Mallow, Malva Vulgaris, Marsh Mallow Family: Malvaceae   Mallow is usually an annual, sometimes perennial plant of the Malvaceae plant family. Normally small hairs cover its creeping stems and leaves. It can grow up to 60 cm in height. Leaves are dark green, while the flowers are pink with purple darker veins. Its fruit splits into numerous small seeds. CULTIVATION A very easy plant to grow, doesn’t require particular care and grow with success in ordinary garden soil, so that is often considered invasive and easily spotted…