Ranunculus (lat. Ranunculus), or buttercup, is a plant of family Ranunculaceae native to Asia Minor. Its name was given by an ancient scholar Pliny meaning "a frog" in Latin since many species of buttercup prefer marshland as all amphibians do. Ranunculus was brought to England from Turkey in the 16th century and soon it became a favorite flower of gardeners, but by the end of the 19th century its popularity had somewhat decreased and it was revived only in the current century.
Aquilegia plant, or columbine, or granny’s bonnet, belongs to the genus of herbaceous perennials in the family Ranunculaceae. According to various sources, there are from 60 to 120 species of this plant that grow in the mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. About 35 species are cultivated. There are different points of views as for the origin of the Latin name: some argue that it is formed by the words “aqua” (water) and “legere” (to collect), while others believe that the name is derived from the word “aquila” that means "eagle".
Freesia is one of the most charming bulbous plants that is grown in the garden and at home. Freesia (lat. Freesia) is a genus of herbaceous tuberous perennials in the family Iridaceae that includes about 20 species. The most famous freesia is hybrid freesia that appeared as a result of crossing several species about a century ago. This plant is native to South Africa where it grows on wet beaches and among shrubs. It was named after Friedrich Freese, a German botanist and a doctor.
Salvia plant (lat. Salvia), or sage, is a large genus of herbaceous perennials and shrubs of the family Labiatae or Lamiaceae, common in tropical and temperate regions of all parts of the world except Australia. The name “salvia” is derived from the Latin word “salvus” meaning “to be healthy”, and this is due to the fact that some species of the plant have long been used for medical purposes. Nothing heals a dental abscess so quickly but a gargle with decoction of sage. There are only about 900 representatives of salvia genus, and they prefer to grow in bright places.
The plant calla (lat. Calla), or zantedeschia, is a genus of perennial plants of the family Araceae or arum family. Calla flower grows in damp areas in South America and Africa, from Nigeria to Tanzania. It is a relative of such plant as arum lily, or water lily, that is the only representative of its genus, the geographic range of which is located in the Northern Hemisphere. Zantedeschia is sometimes named as arum lily, or calla lily.
Verbena (lat. Verbena) belongs to a genus in the family Verbenaceae and includes more than 200 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of America. In common parlance the verbena flower is called “iron grass”, and more poetic variants are “tears of Juno”, “grass of Hercules”, “Mercury's blood” or “veins of Venus”. Christians believe that verbena is a sacred grass as according to the parable the first verbena flowers appeared at the spot where a drop of blood of the crucified Jesus fell to.
Petunia (lat. Petunia) is a genus of herbaceous perennials and dwarf shrubs of the family Solanaceae, growing in the tropics of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay. The plant name comes from the Brazilian word "petun" meaning "tobacco", the cousin of which is a petunia. One species occurs even in North America. There are about twenty-five species of petunia that sometimes differ greatly. Petunias have been cultivated since the 18th century.
Gazania plant (lat. Gazania), or treasure flower, or African daisy, relates to the family Asteraceae, presented by forty species that in nature grow in Mozambique and South Africa, as well as in the Australian coastal dunes. In the XVII century gazania flower was brought to Europe and got its current name in honor of the Italian priest Theodorus Gaza, famous for his translations of the works of Aristotle and Theophrastus. In Western Europe, this plant is called "Midday Gold" due to the fact that gazania flowers of warm shades open at midday.
Eustoma (lat. Eustoma), also called lisianthus (lat. Lisianthus meaning “bitter flower”), or prairie rose, or tulip gentian, or Texas bluebell, belongs to the family Gentianaceae. Latin word “eustoma” literally means “beautiful mouth” and more literary expression is “beautifully speaking.” The flower is native to the southern North America, Mexico, northern South America and the Caribbean islands. The legend of the Native Americans has it that the first time eustoma bloomed on the grave of an innocent girl that was killed by the spirit of war, because she refused to marry him.
Hydrangea is a flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae and according to various sources there are from 30 to 80 species in nature. Among them there are shrubs and small trees that grow mostly in East and South Asia, China, Japan, the Far East and the Americas. The plant is named in honor of Hortense Princess about which nothing is known today. When botanists systemized the plant, hydrangea received the Greek name “hydrangea”, which is translated as “a vessel of water” – a form of seed capsules resembles a jug, and the plant itself loves water. In Japan the plant is called “Ajisay” meaning “a flower of purple Sun”.