Flowering plants may be for purely ornamental use or used as food plants. Please be cautious about treating any of these plants as food unless you have verified that it is safe for eating.

Anemones -- Anemone coronaria

Christ discusses the lilies of the field in Matthew 6:28-29 and Luke 12:27. During the early spring, the rocky fields around Jerusalem are still covered with Anemone Coronaria. They bloom in bright scarlet, white, purple, pink, and blue.

Cultivation: Soak the tubers for 24 hours in warm water before planting. It needs a soil with high amounts of humus and good drainage to succeed. It is only hardy to 10°F. Plant it in an area receiving full sun. Unfortunately, you may find some packages of tubers labeled for colder climates. Treat them as a container grown plant so they can be given winter protection indoors.

Chamomile -- Anthemis nobilis

Jesus rebuked the disciples in Luke 12:28 for being concerned about clothing. He promised that God would take care of them just as He did the plants of the field. Bible botanists believed that Chamomile was the plant Christ referred to in this passage. It is native to the Holy Lands and blooms with a tiny daisy-like flower from January to May. This plant is called "Roman chamomile" in most herb books.

Cultivation: This plant prefers dry sandy soil. Seeds are very fine so either start the plant early or use small purchased plants. It is hardy to -30°F.

Cyclamens -- Cyclamen persicum or Cyclamen indicum

Christ tells the disciples to "consider the lilies" in Luke 12:27. Botanists believe that Cyclamens were among these plants. Alpine violet, Cyclamen persicum, grows in walls and among rocks in the Holy Land. Cyclamen indicum also grows in the Holy Lands.

Cultivation: Plant these so the top of the tuber is just below the soil surface. The soil must be quick draining and slightly acidic (pH of 6). They prefer some afternoon shade.

Fitches -- Nigella sativa and Nigella hispanica

Isaiah 28:23-27 refers to fitches. Their seed is called black cumin and is used as a substitute for black pepper. Cumin is used as a seasoning for cakes and bread. Apparently the seeds are high in oil because Moslem women eat them to gain weight. It will be easier to find Nigella damascena (commonly called Love-in-a-mist).

Cultivation: Grow in any garden soil. Sow the seeds where you want the plants to grow. Make successive sowings (every two weeks) to have flowers all summer. Once planted, they may selfseed for future years.