Carnations, one of the classic and much-loved flowers that are traditionally found in the gardens, yards and balconies of Greek homes. The carnation (carnation or dianthus) stands out for its lush vegetation with its characteristic elongated lance-shaped leaves and its rich flowering in impressive colors. There are single color carnation varieties in shades of pink, red, yellow and white, as well as bicolor carnations with wonderful color combinations. This is an extremely popular ornamental plant that, especially in previous decades, was not missing from any home. After all, the carnation has been cultivated since ancient times and was known by the name Dianthos, which means the flower of Zeus. The carnation is planted in the spring and gives us the rich flowering from April to November.

Statice is a plant with many varieties. It has large broad leaves and many flowers, blue, white, pink, purple or greenish-yellow, on stems.

If we cut them, they keep well and need heat.

Propagated by seed in early spring.

There are many types and varieties of basil to choose from. We come across hundreds of varieties of basil, others with smaller or larger leaves, with different colors, tastes and aromas. It is important to mention that most varieties of basil are annuals while there are also some perennials. Depending on our preferences, we can choose curly, broad-leaved, Genovese, nightshade, red (purple), saint or tree basil.

The poppy is a plant native to Europe, North Africa and the temperate regions of Asia, while it has acclimatized in North and South America. It got its name from the Celtic word “papa” which means “food for babies” because the Celts used to mix poppy juice in baby creams, as a medicine for childhood illnesses.

The Snapdragon, a favorite ornamental plant with wonderful flowers, is planted in the spring and is a characteristic plant of the Mediterranean, with rich vegetation. We will find Snapdragon in dwarf varieties from 20-40 cm, medium height from 40-60 cm and tall varieties from 60-120 cm. Although a perennial plant, it is usually planted as an annual in gardens and in pots on the balcony to give us rich flowering and impressive color combinations.

Gaillardia is an impressive flower with characteristic green-grey foliage and beautiful flowers that resemble daisies in shades of red, yellow and orange. Gaillardia is characterized by abundant and prolonged flowering that lasts from early summer to mid-autumn. It comes from America and belongs to the same family as the sunflower with several varieties, some annual and others perennial and a height varying between 30-90 cm. Gaillardia is an ideal choice for planting in a flower bed, in a rock garden, as well as in a pot on the balcony. The Gaillardia plant gives a wild flower feel to our garden and is also one of the plants that attract butterflies and birds. Gaillardia needs sunny positions to give us its impressive flowering. It wants light and sandy soil that has good drainage, as young Gaillardia plants are sensitive to excess moisture. To plant it in a pot on the balcony, we prefer places with southern exposure and relatively sheltered, as it is sensitive to low temperatures and strong north winds. In any case, we put a layer of gravel at the base of the pot to drain away the water and not to close the holes of the pot due to soil compression.