In ancient times, having gold peonies was punishable by death in China, only the emperor was allowed to cultivate them. Peonies were thought to protect against the devil and were therefore planted around the front door. They were also used to treat headaches, seizures...
Tree and herbaceous peonies grace my garden. They are stunning this time of year and they can bloom for 100 years and have been cultivated for over 1500 years. Native to Asia the plants, roots and stems have been used as blood tonic, liver ailments and for...
Camellia oil is rich in squalane which is important in maintaining smooth and supple skin and contains UV protection properties. Squalene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that produces oxygen when combined with water. Squalene is a hydrogenated form of squalane and for...
My amaryllis bloomed this morning! It is said that they can bloom for an amazing 75 years. Native to South America and South Africa (depending on species), it is unknown when they arrived in North America. However, Thomas Jefferson wrote about amaryllis in the 1800s....
