Diverse species of mistletoe grow on different trees.
Mary and de baby weary:
Oh, we know what weary be.
So we make a bed
and pillow for dey head
With down from de Bar- Fleur tree.
Biography
Born Richard (Dick) Findlay in Pretoria, 1928. Trained as an artist, he became a prolific ornothological painter and visual artist, especially in water colour, and besides numerous exhibitions, his artworks have been displayed in numerous bird and mammal books. In addition he designed a famous series of South African postage stamps and several coins.
His images have appeared in ten books and more than 50 different periodicals. Publications include the First Folio of South African Birds (with Alan Bird, 1959), A Folio of South African Animals (1967), ,and the illustrations for a prestigious reprint of The Soul Of The Ape and The Soul Of The White Ant by Eugène N. Marais. He also did a mural for the orignal Jan Smuts Airport in Johannesburg.
ROUND-HEADED LEEK Allium sphaerocephalum was first discovered in 1847, in the Avon Gorge near Bristol. It has since been introduced in a very few, scattered locations.
Sophia Antipolis [ where they are growing Proteas with a view to commercialising then for the private buyer]
A shrublet forming mats up to 1m across.
India[edit]
Afforestation in South India
India has witnessed a minor increase in the percentage of the land area under forest cover from 1950 to 2006. In 1950 around 40.48 million hectares was covered by forest. In 1980 it increased to 67.47 million hectares and in 2006 it was found to be 69 million hectares. 23% of India is covered by forest.[8] The forests of India are grouped into 5 major categories and 16 types based on biophysical criteria. 38% of forest is categorised as subtropical dry deciduous and 30% as tropical moist deciduous plus other smaller groups. It is taken care that only local species are planted in an area. Trees bearing fruits are preferred wherever possible due to their function as a food source.
Jujube Tree-- Ziziphus mauritiana -- बदरी (Badarī) in Sanskrit; बेर in Hindi; बोर in Marathi; Kul in Bengali)
Albero secolare fra due sfondi ispirati al rimboschimento.
«The beautiful, reddish pink flowerhead is obconic (inverted cone) to bell-shaped, is 110–140 mm long and 100–120 mm wide.»
Lilies [ Zambak ]
are known to have been in Ottoman gardens
Protea magnifica has the second largest flower head after P. cynaroides, the king protea. The queen protea is one of the most attractive and sought after proteas. No picture can describe how strikingly beautiful and fluffy it is with flower head colour varying naturally. With its rounded bushy form, this protea will look great in any garden environment.
CERAMBYX CERDOHow to provide homes for insects and beetles can be found in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 85, Jul7 2016.
This is an obligate saproxylic species. This species lives in veteran trees which are currently in decline across Europe; regeneration of these trees is slow and there may still be a 'gap' during which time there would be very little suitable habitat available for this species.
It develops in Quercus. The larvae first develop under the bark of stressed living or dying trees, later burrowing deeper in the wood of sick, sun-exposed stems. The life cycle is at least three years, with pupation in late summer in the wood. Adults winter in the pupal cell and emerge in V-VIII, and are found on the host plants - it is predominantly a nocturnal and crepuscular species. In France trees (Quercus, Castanea) with traces ofC. cerdo usually have a diameter greater than 40 cm and are sun exposed. The species is below the altitude of 900 m. In Romania it has been reported from all type of oaks. In the south, it has been found in Quercus cerris, Quercus pubescens, Quercus pedunculiflora, and in the north, it has been found in Quercus robur, Quercus petraea. Adults became active from mid May, until August in mountains. During the day they are hidden inside holes, under bark, and during the evening they become active. In the European part of Turkey larvae are said to develop in Acer, Carpinus, Castanea,Cupressus, Fraxinus, Fagus, Platanus, Prunus, Salix, Quercus, Ulmus. Adults are active in VI-VII and the life cycle is three or four years (Canakcıoglu 1993).
In Hungary this species lives in thermophilous oak woods (mainly in turkey oak woods) in the hills and the lower mountain areas. Important populations occur in wood pastures and parklands where huge, old, solitary pedunculate oaks occur.
"This is a very slow growing fynbos shrub that produces excellent, long lasting, red flowerheads, beautiful for garden display and as a cut flower, and with its broad blue-green leaves, it makes a perfect shrub for the fynbos garden."
the Nobel Prize winning poet Frederic Mistral met Buffalo Bill in ProvenceTMG issue number 44, April 2006.
The gardens and arboretum cover about 40 hectares spread over terraces and meandering paths with the standard cactus, palm, rose, bamboo, pond and chrysanthemum gardens
This sprawling protea shyly hides its velvety flowerheads under its unusual grey-green, pink-margined leaves.
Protea amplexicaulis is a low-growing, sprawling shrub that varies in size and can grow up to 1.3 m in diameter, whereas the height remains under 500 mm. The plant more commonly grows close to the ground and has been spotted spilling over cliff faces, with dramatic effect.
Honeysuckle,Passiflora and scented jasmine clamber over the walls
An added attraction during flowering time are the numerous birds found near the plants. In the early hours of the morning the abundant nectar flow attracts a variety of small insects, which in turn attract the Cape Sugar bird and three species of Sunbird. These insectivorous birds consume the small insects as well as the nectar, and in the process transfer pollen from one flower to the next. The flowers are not self-pollinating and depend on the small Scarab beetles and the birds for pollination. The birds are accustomed to the visitor in the Gardens and provide great photo opportunities when feeding on the flowers
‘Paranomus reflexus is an unusual, decorative fynbos shrub with showy winter flowers; it is probably the best known paranomus but it is not often seen in gardens, yet it is as deserving of a place as its relatives, the pincushion and proteas.’
“That New Zealand is a country of year-round beauty is amply illustrated by the four stamps forming this attractive Four Seasons Scenic stamp issue. The stamps each represent a facet of the New Zealand landscape at a particular time of the year. The winter and spring scenes are in the North Island and the summer and autumn scenes are from the South Island.
Issue information
Summer - 35c
This scene shows Kaiteriteri Beach near Nelson. The beach is a popular resort attracting many tourists each summer.
Autumn - 40c
St Omar Park, Queenstown, which is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, represents the colours of autumn beautifully.
Winter - 45c
The snow-capped Mt Ngauruhoe features on this Tongariro National Park scene. This mountain is 2291 metres in height and is the most continuously active of New Zealand's volcanoes.
Spring - 70c
Spring is represented by a scene on a Wairarapa farm just after lambing- depicting new born lambs and their mothers grazing among brightly coloured daffodils in a lush green pasture’’
Orothamnus zeyheri Pappe ex Hook.f.
Family: Proteaceae
Common names: marsh rose, mountain rose (Eng.); vleiroos, bergroos (Afr.)
This is a slender, single stemmed, exquisite and rare fynbos shrub with exceptionally lovely, drooping rosy-red flowerheads borne in spring to summer.
“The hills surrounding Sochi are covered in tea plantations, orchards, vineyards and tobacco fields, as well as dense, warm temperate deciduous forests”
The cockspur coral bean is pollinated by birds. In order to attract them, the plant produces so much nectar that it often drips out of the flowers. For this reason, the plant is also referred to as"cry baby"
“When cultivated in areas that are continuously humid, it does not shed its leaves all at once and flowers much more fragrantly. It also serves as a shade tree for coffee and cacao plantations”
“Leucadendron sessile is an easy –to-grow fynbos shrub that turns bright yellow during winter and spring. Leucadendrons are often overlooked, in favour of their close relatives, the proteas and pincushions, yet they are well worth a place in the garden as they are often easier to grow and have decorative brightly coloured foliage.”
Blacksmiths’ needle 1996
Blacksmiths Needle - Members of the British Association of Blacksmith Artists 1996
Location - Promenade
Materials - Forged Steel
Commissioned by - TWDC
The Needle is conical in form with six sections. Each section contains objects, which relate to one of the senses including the sixth. The objects were made in public “forge-ins” with a mainly maritime theme. The work was inaugurated in May 1997 by Evelyn Glennie, the percussionist ringing a bell which hangs inside the needle.
“Pro Juventute is a charitable foundation in Switzerland established in 1912. It is dedicated to supporting the rights and needs of Swiss children and youth.
Since 1913, the Swiss post office has issued an annual charity stamp series to support the work of Pro Juventute.”
“Strelitzia reginae is one of the most popular horticultural perennial around the world. It flowers for long periods with its vivid orange and bright purple /blue inflorences and is an ideal pot plant and cut flower subject.”
“ wonderful blue rock thrushes”In issue number 19 Winter,2000.
New repeat- blooming iris hybrids have been used, many of which had been first seen at the nearby Iris Garden flanking Piazza Michelangelo where an important International Iris Competition for new hybrids takes place in the second week of May.
The glass-roofed conservatory boasts several desert plants from the arid regions of southern Africa. At the centre a spectacular baobab, the largest succulent in the world, towers over the other plants.
Another shrub favoured by the birds,not the Regent Bowerbird by name but that will do for my self-imposed rules
Hyssopus officinalis was introduced by the Romans in about 1A.D. This small shrub is the herb of purification. Small pale green catkins cover it and its leaves have an exquisite perfume. It is used to make Eau-de-Cologne
We saw banks of Dietes grandiflora in many places – even though these flowers also last but a day, new flowers open over an extended period. I would love to have some in my garden
There are many plant names incorporating the word ”Lady’s”, referring to Our Lady, The Virgin Mary, e.g.Lady's slipper orchid etc.
Over the years, the attractive designs of San Marino’s stamps have been extremely popular with philatelists around the world.[] It is estimated that 10% of the republic’s revenue is generated by the sale of its postage stamps to international collectors. The government of San Marino has the world's only philatelic minister of state, Simone Celli, who carries the title (in Italian) La Segreteria di Stato per le finanze, il bilancio e la programmazione, l'informazione, i rapporti con l'azienda autonoma di stato filatelica e numismatica.
“ The 400th Anniversary of the Death of Niklaus Wengi”
“ In 1955, approx. 150 commemorative stamps with the country name MALUKU SELATAN gradually appeared, which were supposed to have come from a new independent state formed on the Moluccas. In fact, there were efforts on the Moluccas to become independent from Indonesia, but the formation of the country never took place. But that was no obstacle for a well-known New York stamp dealer; via a middleman, he placed an order for the production of series of stamps at the Staatsdruckerei, which was promptly carried out, without making sure that Maluku Selatan really existed. These stamps, which were initially bought by many collectors due to lack of knowledge, at best have only a low value as curiosities.”
I wanted to encourage wildlife to visit the garden and have access to the creek for water so the property is not fenced except around the pool. The garden has become a haven for deer, squirrels, birds and an occasional coyote, fox or mountain lion.
Lithops dorotheae is a species of Lithops found in South Africa. It was named after Dorothea Huyssteen, who found the plant in 1935. It grows on fine-grained sheared quartz and feldspar rock containing feldspathic quartzite.
Who has not been enthralled by Lithops and Eriocactus ?
Clianthus, commonly known as kakabeak (Kōwhai ngutukākā in Māori), is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, comprising two species of shrubsnative to New Zealand. They have striking clusters of red flowers which resemble the beak of the kākā, a New Zealand parrot. The plants are also known as parrot's beak, parrot's bill and lobster claw - all references to the distinctive flowers. There is also a variety with white to creamy coloured flowers.
emu chicks in arid regions rely totally on calandrinias for the first six weeks of their lives
Seeds have come from everywhere we have seen local plants growing – Saponaria, for example, Artemisia absinthium, broom, Lathyrus latifolius and Lonicera [ honeysuckle], to name but a few.
“ the countryside has been’ smoothed out’ –most of the strips and terraces obliterated” ”and there are now expansive rolling fields of wheat, sunflower and maize”
“The fragrant pheasant's eye narcissus, Narcissus poeticus, is one of the latest Mediterranean daffodils to flower, and has been grown in gardens for centuries, but is never more beautiful than in the wild - as here in northern Greece”To read about Narcissus poeticus in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN go to issue number 73, Jul;y 2013.
‘these do not grow in Mediterranean gardens ‘however, I am pointing you to issue number 15 Winter, 1998/99
“while mostly relying on local Australian plants such as wattle , coastal bottlebrush and Kangaroo paw, I also included some mediterranean plants”
“Other trees, such as wattle and weeping lillypilly belonging to the adjoining townhouses, defined our side boundary.”
“seeing the cedars snow-covered and walking among them was a highlight of the tour for me- they are such stately trees”THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN, issue number 81, July 2015
“The local state flora is represented in the Mallee, and the endangered xerophytic taxa from the south west of Madagascar in the historic Palm House.”
“ I’ll pop down to the nursery tomorrow and see what plants red spider mites don’t like. I am very tempted to try a bougainvillea- and what about some of the tender species of passion flower, and a gloriosa vine?”Now I have come across another reference to Gloroisa and a drawing in issue number 1
“having noticed that many African species of salvia cope with the conditions here …..Gazanias, gerbera, Senecio…..proved to be additional hardy little treasures”
“In Finland the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas Eve. Fir trees are felled, tied onto sleds, and taken home to be decorated beautifully with candies, paper flags, cotton, tinsel, apples and other fruits. Candles are used for lighting the trees. Many women make a visit to some local sauna to groom themselves for the occasion.
Christmas here is replete with different homegrown customs. In Finnish rural areas, it is a popular tradition for farmers to tie a sheaf of grain, nuts and seeds on a pole and placing it in the garden for the birds to feed on. Only after birds eat their dinner, the farmers partake of their Christmas dinner.”
“Kapodistrias….. in an effort to raise the living standards of the population, introduced the cultivation of the potato into Greece. According to legend, although Kapodistrias ordered that potatoes be handed out to anyone interested, the population was reluctant at first to take advantage of the offer. The legend continues that he then ordered that the whole shipment of potatoes be unloaded on public display on the docks of Nafplion, and placed it under guard to make the people believe that they were valuable. Soon, people would gather to look at the guarded potatoes and some started to steal them. The guards had been ordered in advance to turn a blind eye to such behaviour, and soon the potatoes had all been "stolen" and Kapodistrias' plan to introduce them to Greece had succeeded.”Now after that short history lesson we have an article about growing potatoes.
“The oriental habit of drinking tea – an infusion of the leaves of Camellia sinensis”A quotation from the book review of Velletri, le sue Camelie by Piero Caneti with contributions by Paola Lanzara and Emilio Bongiovanni. The review was written by Flavio Zanon
“While I was away many seedling oaks had grown from acorns planted last fall by the resident squirrels and scrub jays as a winter food supply”
”They grow in heads 10-12 flowered , which appear in June and July. A native of Spain”
“bronze statue of the symbol of Madrid – a bear reaching for the fruit of a madrono [strawberry tree].”Here is a photo of the statue of the tree and the bear.
“of over 200 Mediterranean plants which are, or have been, cultivated in temperate gardens”The article is in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 3, Winter 1995/6
“Pro Juventute is a charitable foundation in Switzerland established in 1912. It is dedicated to supporting the rights and needs of Swiss children and youth.
Since 1913, the Swiss post office has issued an annual charity stamp series to support the work of Pro Juventute.”
“Sprinkled through the forest, some plants which were about 50 centimeters tall and were in full flower- very pretty flowers that are of elongated bell shaped and that ranged from white through pink to darkish red.”Read
“In favourable conditions it can from large colonies”,obviously our windy garden did not provide favourable conditions
Seen at the Eden Project in Cornwall, September 2005.
There was a name tag on it so it is one of the few I am really sure of its identity.
Hilary
The Thunbergia was enjoying the hot steamy atmosphere
“That in the natures of their lords rebel;
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters,
Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.
A plague upon your epileptic visage!
Smoile you my speeches, as I were a Fool?”
“the people who make or produce cigars or cigatettes”in Madrid quite near the old tobacco factory. We went looking for the street hoping that the street sign would be of painted tiles but unfortunately the street was in a newer part of the city and the name plate was of the new type
”I do combat the spread of sarsaparilla [Smilax aspera] and brambles, I leave some since they offer protection to birds against predators like cats,”
“the dramatic tall flowering spikes of Aloe marlothii and Aloe ferox”
BUTTERCUPS and daisies,MARY HOWITT.
Oh, the pretty flowers,
Coming ere the spring time,
To tell of sunny hours.
While the trees are leafless,
While the fields are bare,
Buttercups and daisies
Spring up here and there.
“Stamps bearing the provincial armorial bearings and floral emblems of all ten provinces plus the Yukon and Northwest Territories were issued in the order in which they entered the Confederation”
“Stamps bearing the provincial armorial bearings and floral emblems of all ten provinces plus the Yukon and Northwest Territories were issued in the order in which they entered the Confederation”
“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head”
“Exotics such as Hydrangea and Canna depend on ample supplies (of water) and are best located near the house “
Lawn destruction[]
The damage caused by chafer infestation to residential lawns is exacerbated by the fact that its grubs are an attractive food source for local fauna such as crows, foxes and raccoons, who relentlessly dig up the turf in search of the morsels. Homeowners often find themselves bewildered by the speed and extent of the destruction which may ensue.
Quote“Sharjah's name is known by many stamp collectors because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the Sharjah Post Office shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates, which became part of the class of virtually worthless stamps known to collectors as Dunes. Many of these items feature subjects unrelated to the emirates whose names they bear, and therefore many catalogues do not list them”
The photo is of a florist's Lily
I chose and article from one of the first issues of
THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN for you to read
THE GARDEN IN SPRING by Jenny Bussey in number 4, Spring 1996
“the role of smoke as a cue in breaking the dormancy of certain seeds that are hard to germinate.”
“On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree”
“A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine or fir”
widely throughout Europe, up to and above 1,000 m.’
About StampDodecatheon is mentioned in passing, but not as a plant growing in a Mediterranean garden in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 93, July 2018
Definitive stamps must portray an image of Canada for a wide variety of people inside and outside the nation. Canadian wildflowers are just the subjects to do this. The flowers reflect the magnificent beauty of our country. The 5¢ definitive presents a flower which is native to western Canada. The shooting star, a spring flower, grows from five to eighteen inches tall in woods, mountains and prairies. It can also be cultivated in well-drained soil.
“About Stamp
On February, 15, 1995, Canadians from coast to coast joined together in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Canadian flag. The unveiling for this new commemorative stamp was held in Montreal at Flag Day ceremonies, organized by Canadian Heritage as part of their "Put the Flag in Motion" campaign launch. The Red Maple Leaf design of our flag received Parliamentary approval on December 17, 1964, after one of the longest debates in Canadian history. It was proclaimed by Her Majesty the Queen on January 28, 1965.”
“A stylized maple leaf famously adorns the Canadian flag but is also found in other important Canadian symbols including the red ensign flag (Canada’s de facto national flag until 1965) and the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada. Stylized versions of the leaf can also be found on bank notes, military insignia, the personal flag of the Queen of Canada and the flag of the Governor General of Canada.”
In this thread I will be posting scans of postage stamps from around the world.
But, only those which have been mentioned at some time in the MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN, the journal of the MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN SOCIETY
Telopea speciosissima ,Waratah
The Mediterranean Garden, Number 71,page 59.
GARDENS, PLANTS, NEW FRIENDS:
THE 2012 AGM IN AUSTRALIA
by Alisdair Aird
“Humulus, Medieval name apparently Latinized from a Low German or Slav name of the hop”
“lupulus, meaning a small wolf, an allusion to the plant's habit of smothering the trees over which it grows “
Well there's a thing. I have never heard of Huckleberry HoundHe was certainly part of my childhood in HK and Australia!
Was he on UK TV?
“Adapting to Taiwan’s extremely varied topography and to its humid tropical and subtropical climate, the family Orchidaceae has evolved a diverse array of species, more numerous than those of any other flora family in Taiwan. Because orchids are elegant, fragrant and tough (able to withstand adverse environmental and climatic conditions), they are often compared to people with noble and incorruptible character. To introduce the beauty of Taiwan orchids, Chunghwa Post has planned a new series of definitive stamps: “Orchids of Taiwan.” The first set will feature four stamps, each showcasing one of the following four species: Phaius tankervilleae, Spiranthes sinensis, Vanda × hybrida and Cattleya sp. The designs of the stamps follow:”
“. Spiranthes sinensis (NT$5.00): A terrestrial orchid with linear-lanceolate leaves. The plant favors low-altitude open fields and sunny grasslands. Flowering occurs during spring, when dozens of tiny flowers spiral up its slender spike. Spiranthes sinensis is nicknamed “spiral dragon herb” in Chinese because its flowering spike resembles a “dragon pillar” of Taoist temples.”
Planting and the use of herb plants have grown to be a trend in recent years. To showcase the enchanting beauty of these multipurpose plants, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps featuring Mentha × piperita, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia elegans, and Artemisia indica. The designs follow:
Rosmarinus officinalis (NT$5): It is a woody, perennial plant of the family Lamiaceae. The leaves are opposite, long and narrow; the colors are rich green, with a pleasant sheen. The flowers are blue, white or pink. The plant is edible and extensively used for medicinal purposes. It is also a common ingredient in essential oils and bath products.
Having issued the first set of definitive stamps on flowers on March 12, 2009, Chunghwa Post is going to follow up with a second set, featuring Calliandra emarginata, Bombax ceiba, Delonix regia, and Spathodea campanulata. This set of stamps was organized by Dr. Heng-piao Chin, the former director-general of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan, and Dr. Ting-Fang Hsieh, director of the Floriculture Research Center, Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan. The stamps were painted by Mr. Hung-tu Ko, and printed by
Central Engraving and Printing Plant in color deep-etch offset. The set of four stamps will be released on October 14, 2009. Details of these stamps are as follows:
1. Calliandra emarginata (NT$1.00): Calliandra emarginata, or powder puff, is a semi-deciduous shrub
of the Fabaceae family. Leaves are bipinnately compound, with oval lanceolate leaflets. The leaflets fold together at night and unfold during the day. The inflorescence is axillary and capitulum. The corolla is semicircular, with dense long filaments, resembling a powder puff. It is a very good ornamental specimen
I quote
Having issued the first set of definitive stamps on flowers on March 12, 2009, Chunghwa Post is going to follow up with a second set, featuring Calliandra emarginata, Bombax ceiba, Delonix regia, and Spathodea campanulata. This set of stamps was organized by Dr. Heng-piao Chin, the former director-general of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan, and Dr. Ting-Fang Hsieh, director of the Floriculture Research Center, Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan. The stamps were painted by Mr. Hung-tu Ko, and printed by
Central Engraving and Printing Plant in color deep-etch offset. The set of four stamps will be released on October 14, 2009. Details of these stamps are as follows:
3. Delonix regia (NT$10.00): Delonix regia—which is commonly known as royal poinciana, flamboyant, or flame of the forest—is a deciduous tree of the Leguminosae family. Most of them have buttress roots. The tree has an umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are opposite and bipinnately compound. Each of its flowers, which are arranged in terminal racemes, has five petals, which are bright red with a touch of yellow, and its filaments are slender and red. Because the tree blooms in June, it is often used to symbolize graduation. The royal poinciana is a large tree and mainly used for firewood, or as an ornamental or street tree.
The colors and shapes of Taiwan's flowering plants are varied. To introduce the beauty of Taiwan's flowers, Chunghwa Post is issuing a series of definitive stamps on flowers. The first set of four stamps features the following flowers: Lantana camara, Murraya paniculata, Tabebuia chrysantha and Hibiscus sabdariffa. Details of these stamps are as follows:
1.Lantana camara (NT$3.50): Lantana camara is an evergreen shrub of the Verbenaceae family. Its leaves are opposite and ovate and both the leaves and stems have unpleasant acrid odors. The flowers are arranged in flat heads. The lantana is a popular ornamental plant because it flowers for a long and sustained period. Its fruit, leaves and stems are poisonous and therefore should not be eaten.
‘Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell.’