DOT Magazine Volume 25 / Flowers

Daisies close their petals at night, just like we close our eyes. Cousin of the daisy, the coneflower can survive for up to 6 years in the wild. The Cow Parsley has for cousin the carrot! Columbines are hummingbirds’ favourite flowers. The Thistle is a pretty purple flower that sits on prickly stems. Fireweed flowers grow at super speeds, in forests, by rivers or in between rocks. Bell Heathers are popular with bees who love their nectar. Poppies are red but they also come in white, yellow and even blue! If you get too close to the Sneezewort, what might you do? Achoo! Corncockles - also known as Cat’s Ears are pretty but poisonous!…

Originating from Mexico, dahlias are part of the sunflower family. In ancient times, people liked to cook and eat Lupins. Lavender smells so delicious that it has been used in soaps and perfumes for centuries. Hydrangeas are very popular with humans, but not cats or dogs as they are toxic to them. Tulips come from Turkey, where they are grown in lots of different colours: red, black, yellow and even rainbow! Sunflowers are grown in gardens and fields and their seeds are used to make cooking oil. Dried Jasmine flowers are used to make a yummy tea. Irises have been used to make perfumes for thousands of years. The most ancient rose is believed to be over 1,000 years old! Magnolias grow on trees and are a favourite amongst beetles.…

Daisies close their petals at night, just like we close our eyes. Cousin of the daisy, the coneflower can survive for up to 6 years in the wild. The Cow Parsley has for cousin the carrot! Columbines are hummingbirds’ favourite flowers. The Thistle is a pretty purple flower that sits on prickly stems. Fireweed flowers grow at super speeds, in forests, by rivers or in between rocks. Bell Heathers are popular with bees who love their nectar. Poppies are red but they also come in white, yellow and even blue! If you get too close to the Sneezewort, what might you do? Achoo! Corncockles - also known as Cat’s Ears are pretty but poisonous!…

Originating from Mexico, dahlias are part of the sunflower family. In ancient times, people liked to cook and eat Lupins. Lavender smells so delicious that it has been used in soaps and perfumes for centuries. Hydrangeas are very popular with humans, but not cats or dogs as they are toxic to them. Tulips come from Turkey, where they are grown in lots of different colours: red, black, yellow and even rainbow! Sunflowers are grown in gardens and fields and their seeds are used to make cooking oil. Dried Jasmine flowers are used to make a yummy tea. Irises have been used to make perfumes for thousands of years. The most ancient rose is believed to be over 1,000 years old! Magnolias grow on trees and are a favourite amongst beetles.…

You will need: 2 pieces of bread, toasted. 2 or 3 leeks 2 handfuls of grated cheese 1 knob of butter Salt and pepper. Slice the leeks in half. Wash them. Cut them in small pieces. Once the leeks are tender, remove them from the pan, strain them and set aside. Put the leeks on top of the toasts and grate some cheese over them. Boil water in a saucepan and add the pieces of leeks. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes suntil cooked. Toast two pieces of bread. Spread some butter on them. Place them in an oven dish. Put in the oven or under a grill for 10 minutes until the cheese has turned gooey and gold. These delicious green toasties are now ready to eat. Yummy!…

You will need: A sheet of paper or card Paper cupcake cases Buttons Green paper Flatten out the cupcake cases. Coloured ones are best but you could use white and colour them yourself with paint or felt tips. Cut the edge into a curved petal shape and unfold. Fold a cupcake case in half, and then in half again twice more. Cut the next cupcake case a little smaller and glue on top of the first. Repeat with more cases in different colours until you have made as many flowers as you would like. Glue a colourful button into the centre of each flower. Cut out leaf shapes from green paper and fold in half. Glue them onto the stems of your flowers, but only stick down on one side to give a 3d effect! Your paper flower picture is ready…