Plants and Trees - Flowering Plants
About Flowering Plants
Introduction
| Flowering plants, also called angiosperms, have been around for the past 130 million years growing in almost every imaginable habitat on earth including deserts, forests, mountains and swamps. They are the leading and most known group of land plants. The total number of described species is over 230,000 and that’s not to forget there are still some species unnamed. The flowering plant species are very diverse and are found in an astounding array of shapes, colors and sizes. They range in size from the giant Australian eucalyptus tree, which can reach over 300 feet in height, to the tiny wolffia plants, less than 1/25th of an inch long. All these flowering plants have one thing in common though; they all produce seed-bearing fruits and flowers. |
|
The Importance of Flowering Plants
 |
Flowering plants have become extremely popular in homes and businesses. With just a packet of seeds, you can create an eye-catching garden filled with color. On the practical side, flowering plants come in handy when you’d like to hide a rusty fence or ugly garage wall, or create some privacy on your balcony. Growing flowering plants in your outdoor space will add character and entice you to use that space more often. |
| In offices, flowering plants are important too. In fact, a study conducted showed that an employee’s idea generation, creative performance and problem solving skills significantly improve in a workplace setting that contains flowers and plants as opposed to a space with a sculpture or no decoration at all. The study confirmed that both men and woman display more productivity simply by adding flowers and plants. |
|
 |
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, flowering plants are also significant in terms of function in our daily lives. Just about all our food is derived from flowering plants, whether it’s fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, herbs or spices. Even coffee, tea, wine, beer, tequila, cola and chocolate come from flowering plants. Flowering plants are also the source for many drugs like over-the-counter medicines (e.g. aspirin), prescribed drugs (e.g. atropine) and restricted drugs (e.g. tobacco, marijuana, opium and cocaine). Furthermore, the clothing we wear is linked to flowering plants. Cotton and linen come from fibers in flowering plants and lots of commercial dyes are extracted from the varying types of flowering plants. |
Selecting Flowering Plants
Flowering plants should suit your landscape. After deciding where you’d like to place the flowering plants, you can then choose a variety accordingly. There are many varieties available and in order to select wisely you need to consider a few things:
- The size, form and appearance of the flowering plant
- Which season it blooms in as well as the intensity, duration and color of the flowers
- Growing requirements like fertilizing, pruning and protecting it from diseases and insects
| It’s advisable to opt for flowering plants that are brightly colored and have showy flowers for they are the most attractive. You’re local nursery will stock the most desirable flowering plants for your area’s climate and soil. Some of the most common flowering plants are the carnation, daisy, hydrangea, iris, jasmine, orchid, marigold, tulip, rose and violet. Of course, your nursery will offer you tips and advice on growing your chosen flowering plants. |
|
Wherever you will be planting your flowering plant, whether it’s in a garden bed or container, always remember the more space, the better. You will want to allow space for the roots to comfortably grow and absorb water and nutrients that help your flowering plants live longer.
Back to Plants
