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From the first curled stems that push through in spring to the star-shaped seed pods in late fall, Dictamnus albus (Dittany, Fraxinella, Burning Bush or Gas Plant) is ornamental.

Bloom stalks rise above foliage to present spikes of long-lasting, airy flowers. Depending upon the variety, these may be white, rose with purple veining or a bluish lavender that’s rare. Stiff, shiny leaves are a rich, dark green and both foliage and flowers excellent for cutting.

Since germination is uncertain and slow, about 4 years from seed to bloom, it’s best to start with plants from the nursery. These may be set out in spring or fall about the same depth as peonies with the crowns 2 inches below ground level. Ample space should be allowed as the plant likes elbow room.

It grows somewhat like the peony, making a bushy, symmetrical clump 3 to 4 feet high and wide. It dies back each fall to come up each spring. There’s nothing temporary about it. It is long lived and has been known to outlive three generations of a family.

It blooms with the iris and painted daisy, has a long season and is equally lovely in the perennial border or as a specimen plant. Its foliage has a pervasive lemon or mint fragrance and its seeds an interesting habit of shooting out.

Most fascinating of all is a trick it does. It got its name Gas Plant for the very good reason that it exudes a sort of gas. If the evening is still, hold a match below the blooms. They will pop! Just like the gas stove when it’s lit !

Madonna Lily

Another choice, not a new flower but one as old as civilization, is the Madonna lily or Lilium candidum. The first major improvement in this oldest known of garden lilies, was the Cascade strain.

Ten years ago, a friend sent me a few bulbs. I planted them early in September and in a short while a circle of leaves came up and remained green all winter. In spring new growth was made. First, leaves broke through, then the stalks with from 3 to 8 blooms. Soon, a permanent clump formed and increased in size and beauty, year after year.

Bulbs should be planted in a sunny location not on those shaded tree in ordinary but well-drained soil, about 18 inches apart, 2 inches deep, in groups of three or four. They need but little care and are highly disease resistant.

Madonna lilies’ delightfully fragrant, rich white flowers are effective with almost any color and very beautiful with light blue delphiniums. When cut, they offer many possibilities, alone or with other flowers that bloom in late June or early July.

Climbing Fumitory

Surprise and disappointment are often experienced by gardeners and I’ve had my share of both. My most pleasant of the first emotion came this year as I was weeding a neglected spot.

Growing beside best shade tree in thick moss on top a large stone in deep, damp shade and clambering for some five or six feet over the crowns of wild violets and the blue Phlox divaricata, was a beautiful specimen of the climbing fumitory in full bloom. For a moment I thought I had found a climbing white bleedingheart, so closely did the blossoms resemble them.

This plant has great delicacy although it clings to its support with a vise-like grip – the dainty, three-pinnate, light green, fern-like foliage has all the grace of fairy wings.

Whence it came, I know not. By bird or wind? But, I do know that the climbing fumitory is a biennial and that it is not difficult to grow from seed if the conditions of its native habitat are copied. Will its descendants adorn my garden in other summers? Only time will tell.

Are you looking for something different, exciting, and rare?  Then unique plants will certainly fill your needs.  Unique plants are – attractive, delightful, and refreshing.  Keep in mind, because of their unique nature, most require special attention.

For example, topiaries fill the bill of being a one of kind plant, easily.  The definition tells it all.  This type of plant is formed by clipping shrubs and trees in various shapes.  The shapes can take on that of a circle, triangel, or and animal.  Topiary plants can be created by your own hands.  If you are not comfortable with creating your own, check with your local nursery and garden center for ready made topiaries, for sale.  Either way, the topiary can prove to be the unique plants you are looking for.

If not, try the exotic and simply beautiful bonsai plants.  The bonsai includes dwarfed trees or shrubs.  It is an art.  It takes skills that include not only the mind and hands, but the heart, too.  To own one and see it grow is simply amazing.  The bonsai is a growing piece of art.  They come in a wide variety, too.  You can select an elm, maple, pine, or blooming tree type.

Then there are the beautiful unique orchids.  Orchids require anywhere from easy care to high maintenance.  But what beautiful remarkable plants they are.  The colors vary from soft pastels to vibrant hues.  They draw not only unique insects in the wild, but the eyes and emotions of humans, too.  

Tropical plants include a wide variety of unique plants and flowers.  Most tropical plants require a temperamental environment.  If you need a tropical plant that has fewer requirements, try the hardy bromeliad family.  Bromeliads come in lush green foliage with blooms in vibrant colors.  Some can be grown with out soil.  They come in a wide variety, too. 

This is only a few suggestions, that you can try.  Our blog contains much more information on gardening advice.  However, there are more.  But for now, give one or two of these a try.  You will come to have greater enjoyment, creating attractive gardening, indoors.

The most popular wedding flowers have limitations many couples are unaware of. To save you time and to make choosing your wedding flowers easier, I’ve given some of the seasons, drawbacks, and benefits of some lilies as popular wedding flowers in the following paragraphs.

Calla lilies, also known as arum lilies are available all year round but experience great fluctuations in price. They are somewhat vulnerable to bruising and this can be especially noticeable on the white varieties. Callas are sensitive to cold temperatures and can get frost damaged easily. They can tolerate heat very well and retain their moisture well even without a water source. This makes them ideal for use in wedding bridal bouquets wherein they may be required to last out of water for some time. The miniature calla varieties make great boutonnières because they are not harmed by body heat or lack of water.

The tops of the calla lily’s blooms don’t take up much surface space so you can expect to use a lot of calla lilies in a round, all calla bouquet. Callas can fill quite a bit of space when used as to expose the length of the bloom rather than just the top such as in the train of a cascading bouquet or in the length of an arm bouquet.

Casablanca lilies are usually available all year round. They have large, flat blooms, which take up quite a bit of surface area and can really fill out a bouquet nicely. Casablanca lilies are also vulnerable to bruising but not as much as callas. Some people delight in the Casablanca lily’s aromatic strong fragrance but others are allergic to it.

Casablanca lilies are more resistant to very cold temperatures than callas but more prone to wilt from high temperatures or from lack of water. Their large bloom size makes them great for decorating the wedding ceremony as they are easily seen from a distance and they hold up very well when they have a water source.

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