Artificial flowers don’t generally enjoy a great reputation; ask a few people their opinion and you’ll invariably get told that fake blooms are unrealistic, tacky and, well, just plain nasty. If you hold this view then perhaps it’s time to take another look at the silk flower – it’s come a long way since the mass-produced plastic abominations of the 1960s and 70s.

Silk Gerbera - Red

“Silk flowers” itself is something of a misleading, catch-all term, as modern artificial “silk” flowers are made of anything from polyester, cotton, real silk, rayon, latex and, yes (for stems and berries at least) good old plastic.

Advances in silk flower manufacturing techniques and meticulous attention to detail mean that breathtakingly realistic designs can now be achieved, with the added advantage that they need no watering, are hypo-allergenic and will last indefinitely. (more…)

As summer gives way to autumn, a new spectrum of colours slowly starts to creep across the landscape. Shades of yellow, orange, brown and red dominate the flora and fauna around us, both in the towns and countryside.

September

Harvest Time

Harvesting the crops is a crucial time for the farmers, months of waiting and anticipation for a profitable year depends on elements out of our control – the weather.  September is often a warm, sunny month – much to the annoyance of all those returning back to school or work after the summer break, so the barbeques will still be in full use during this month filling the evening air with tantalizing aromas.

September in the gardening calendar is a good time to plant spring bulbs and repair the lawn after all the summer wear and tear.  While the soil is still warm it’s also a good time to plant hedges and shrubs.  Generally September is the end of the harvest, both to eat now, or to store for later and collect seeds.

If your Birthday is in September your zodiac sign is Virgo (the sign of the virgin).  Your Birthstone is the deep blue Sapphire and your Birthday flower is the Aster – meaning Love, Faith and Wisdom. (more…)