Dog Rose facts and photos

Rosa Canina, commonly known as the dog rose, is a one of the most widespread wild roses in Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.

This climbing plant grows 3 to 16 feet tall, or sometimes even more as it can scramble higher on taller trees. 

The name dog rose (bot. Rosa Canina) comes from the belief in the 18th century that it was effective in the treatment of rabid dogs. Another reason given is that the term ‘dog’ has a negative meaning, and as many people thought this plant was inferior to garden roses they called it a dog rose. I don’t really agree with this explanation – dog roses are as beautiful and as soft as garden roses.

The dog-rose is a deciduous shrub that has medicinal uses: the petals, rose hips and galls are astringent, diuretic, laxative, ophthalmic and a tonic. The syrup made from rose hips is taken internally for the treatment of colds, influenza, minor infectious diseases, scurvy, diarrhea and gastritis.

The Dog-rose usually grows up to three metres high. It can stretch that little bit taller with some help! Its sharp spines can grip onto a tree for support.

The dog-rose has oval leaves with jagged edges. The leaves have a sweet scent when rubbed. 

Its white or pink flowers open out from June to July and have a light scent which is loved by bees, butterflies and other insects.

Red egg-shaped fruits grow from October to November. These are called ‘hips’. They are a very important food for birds during the winter and also often used for medicinal purposes.

Did you know that dog-rose hips have lots of vitamin C? They are used to make tea and syrup. 

Here are my photos of white and pink dog rose flowers.

Daisy – the beginning of a new day

Several quick facts about my favorite flowers – daisies:

The daisy is a flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae (also called Compositae).

Daisies belong to the family of ‘vascular plants’ which make up almost 10% of all flowering plants on Earth.

There are approximately 4000 species of daisies of different sizes, shapes and colors.

Daisies are found on every single continent except Antarctica.

Daisies can live in both wet and dry climates, and they are resistant to pesticides and insects. Not a picky plant, daisies grow well both in full sun and in part sun or even shady areas.

The Daisy is a herbaceous plant that can grow from 3 inches to 4 feet (!) in height, depending on the species.

The daisy plant leaf texture varies and can be smooth or covered with trichomes (little hairs).

Some daisy species are annual, lasting only one year, and some are biennial (life cycle ends after two years). The color of the flower depends on the species. The most common daisy is white with a yellow center, but there can be found purple ones with a brown center, red with yellow, orange with yellow, pink with yellow center, yellow with a dark red center, blue with green center and so on.

The flower symbolism associated with the daisy is one of purity, innocence, loyal love, beauty, patience and simplicity.

The name Daisy comes from the Old English “daes eage,” meaning “day’s eye.” The name derives from the way they close their petals in the evening, and open again in the morning, which symbolizes the beginning of a new day.

Daisies have been popular flowers in history and are believed to be more than 4,000 years old.

Daisies have lots of medicinal properties.

Daisy leaves can make a tasty addition to salads (they are closely related to the artichoke and are high in Vitamin C).

The largest game of “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” was played by 331 people in Milan, Italy. Participants plucked daisy petals to determine if their secret crush loved them back.

Daisies are often depicted in meadows in Medieval paintings and were described as a “flowery mead.”

Egyptian ceramics were decorated with daisies. The English daisy (Bellis perennis) is considered a stubborn weed in North American lawns.

The daisy family was classified by Paul Dietrich Giseke, a German botanist and close friend of the Swedish ‘father of modern taxonomy’ Carl Linnaeus.

A daisy actually consists of two flowers in one. The (usually) white petals count as one flower and the cluster of (usually) tiny yellow disc petals that form the ‘eye’ is technically another.

Daisy leaves can make a tasty addition to salads and contain Vitamin C.

Bees just LOVE daisies. These include Goldenrod, making them an important friend of honey makers.

Now have a look at some daisy photos I’ve taken recently.

Blooming Spirea

Spirea (or spiraea) comes in several colors but the white flowering shrubs are breathtaking. It typically blooms just before its leaves fully develop.

Spirea are happiest in full sun with good drainage and moisture, but they can also grow in shade.

This easy-growing shrub grows up to six feet tall. 

Coming in a range of sizes, colors, and forms, there are plenty of varieties of this hardy, easy to grow shrubs to choose from. Some of the old-fashioned varieties of spirea such as bridal wreath, with its timeless elegance and delicate cascading branches covered in frothy white blooms, have been around for decades. However, the old-fashioned varieties can take a lot of space and look best when not pruned. New varieties work well in suburban yards where colors and size are important.

I found out that Native Americans had various medicinal uses for local spirea species. They used it for abdominal pain and made it into a tea. They also used it for making brooms and even as an ingredient for cooking. 😍

Spirea can be white or different shades of pink. I didn’t find pink ones but I took lots of photos of white ones. I have posted some of them here.

Have a lovely day 💋💋

Shorena

P.S. To see more beautiful flower photos, please check out my 
 Flower Photo Collection and Nature Photography Page.

If you have a moment please visit my painting and  drawing  portfolio and look at digital art page as well.

You can also find me here:

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Nicolette

Just a candy cane girl Nicolette, chalk pastel drawing.

‘Nicolette’ is a part of ‘my ‘All Colors Matter’ series.

Here is whole drawing…

'Nicolette'. Drawing by Shorena Ratiani. Chalk pastel on paper.
‘Nicolette’ by Shorena Ratiani

Shorena Ratiani Art
Title: Nicolette
Medium: Chalk pastel on paper
Dimensions: 50 X 70 cm (20″ X 28″)

… And details

I hope you found something interesting while you were here. Don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions! My contact information can be found on my ‘Keep in Touch’ page.

Come back soon and bring your friends here by sharing.

XOXO

Shorena

Subscribe on the blog and follow me on other social media platforms.

If you have a moment please visit my painting and  drawing portfolio and look at digital art page as well.

You can also follow me here:

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Golden Wings

‘Golden Wings’ is my fourth painting from my insects series.💦

The dragonfly is an amazing and harmless insect. It has been a subject of intrigue in almost every civilization or country. Even the word dragonfly has its source in the myth that dragonflies were once dragons 🐉

The dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of skimming the surface of something deep below. Here is my golden winged dragonfly
that has dived deep to explore the underwater world that its wings usually skim 🙂

'Golden Wings'. Painting by Shorena Ratiani. Tempera and acrylic on paper.
‘Golden Wings’. By Shorena Ratiani.

Shorena Ratiani Art
Title: Golden Wings
Medium: Acrylic and chalk pastel on paper
Dimensions: 50 X 70 cm (20″ X 28″)

Close-ups:

I hope you found something interesting while you were here. Don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions! My contact information can be found on my ‘Keep in Touch’ page.

Come back soon and bring your friends here by sharing.

XOXO

Shorena❤️

Subscribe on the blog and follow me on other social media platforms.

If you have a moment please visit my painting and  drawing   portfolio and look at digital art page as well.

You can also follow me here:

PinterestTwitter Instagram | Tumblr WHI