Plants and flowers have always played an important role in throughout history. Scientists estimate that there are currently over 270,000 species of flowers that have been documented and about 125,000 of those have evolved in the last 125 years.

Flowers in the past as well as today are used for decoration, expressing feelings, and even commemorating important events. But individuals that are primarily focused on their flowerbeds should know what flowers work best together. Flower gardens should consist of flowers that bloom at different times of the year and boast a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.

By including different types of flowers, the gardener is bound to have the best looking flower bed. However, in order to get an award winning flower bed that sets you apart from everyone else it’s important to know the top ten flowers for each season.

Spring

1. Phlox

2. Vinca

3. Scilla

4. Daffodils

5. Pasque Flower

6. Allium

7. Hyacinth

8. Gladiolus

9. Tulips

10. Crocus

Summer

1. Daylily

2. Black Eyed Susan

3. Hosta

4. Blanket Flower

5. Rose

6. Stoncecrop –Vera Jameson

7. Bell Glower

8. Aster

9. Shasta Daisy

10. Balloon Flower Liatris

Fall

1. Michaelmas Daisy

2. Blue Mist Shrub

3. Turtlehead

4. Chrysanthemum

5. Joe Pye Weed

6. Sneezeweed – Helenium

7. Perennial sunflower- Helianthus

8. False sunflower – Heliopsis

9. Stonecrop – Sedum

10. Solidago – Goldenrod

Winter

1. Camellias

2. Evergreen holly

3. Snowdrops

4. Crape Myrtle

5. Bergenia

6. Witch hazel

7. Hellebores

8. Snow  Berry

9. Winter Jasmine

10. Mahonia

There are so many different kinds of plants that it can be difficult to know what to plant. Fortunately, this guide can help beginners know what to plant each season, so that they’ll have beautiful flowers year round. Flowers and plants improve any yard and while it may take a lot of effort to get the award winning flower bed it’s definitely worth it.

Diane Johnson graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing, particularly about travel and online classes.

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Thinking of buying a digital camera? Read our take on the best digital cameras available in the market and make an educated decision. We have tried to collect a variety of digital cameras on the basis of the ‘overall package’. Remember – pixels and price is not everything.

1.    Canon PowerShot SD780 IS

Currently ranked as the best point and shoot camera in the market, this one is also Canon’s slimmest. The SD780 features optical image stabilization, HD video recording and a 2.5 in LCD screen to preview your shots. Highly portable, you cannot be disappointed with this.

2.    Nikon D5000

The only proper DSLR on the list, the Nikon D5000 deserves a word of praise.  With 12.3 megapixels and a large CMOS sensor, the D5000 is capable of 720p HD video recording at 19 auto exposure scene mode and 4 fps of continuous shooting, making it one of the most versatile DSLRs among others available in this price range (700-900 USD).

3.    Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

SX200 IS is part of Canon’s newest PowerShot models and this one indeed is powerful – has the latest DIGIC 4 processor, a 12.1 megapixel resolution, 3 inch LCD screen and up to 12x optical zoom! All this for under 350 USD is nothing short of spectacular.

4.    Sony Cybershot DSC-H5

Even though the DSC-H5 can hardly be called a compact camera (weighs 3 pounds and has a 12x optical zoom), the camera is a perfect bridge for going semi-pro with your photography. Less complicated than other models in the same price range, it offers excellent picture clarity.

5.     Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

The Lumix DMC-ZS3 follows the trendy TZ range. However, there are major improvements in the response times and picture quality. With support for HD video capture and Panasonic’s Ultra Zoom feature, this one is a superb personal camera loaded with goodies.

6.    Canon PowerShot SX10 IS

Canon never fails to amaze us with their timely upgrades – taking photography to the next level. The PowerShot SX10 is the successor of the long-running Canon S5 IS, updating several features such as ultra zoom, a fresh 20x lens, and DIGIC IV processing.

7.    Fujifilm Finepix S5200

Belonging to the Sony DSC-H5 category of semi-pro cameras, S5200 offers similar clear, bright quality but at 5.1 megapixels and 10x optical zoom. However, the manufacturers boast that Fujinon lens technology offers superior resolution in diverse conditions which few cameras can match.

8.    Nikon Coolpix S210

With up to 8.29 megapixels, a 2.5 in. LCD screen, 3x Optical Zoom, Coolpix offers all the features of a stand point and shoot that are abundantly available in the market. It offers nothing new feature wise though there is variety of picture shooting modes available.

9.    Canon Ixus 960 IS

A terrifically accessible and feature-rich compact model – Ixus 960 IS is well worth the price. With a curved titanium body, this has very good low light shooting ability. Well worthy at around  $500 USD.

10.    Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100

The Panasonic FX100 can be best described as a small, sleek package of powerful features – clear resolution and photo quality with the capability of clicking at 12 megapixels. If this was not enough for a sleek camera, this one also comes with optical image stabilisation.

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1.    Get Adequate Sun Protection

This is the most important skin care tip to follow any summer. The sun can severely damage the skin if you do not use a strong enough sun screen lotion. Also, do not forget to wear a hat or a cap when walking under the sun. A good tan at the beach is healthy but if you overdo, then you risk yourself to skin cancer.

2.    Go Easy on Makeup

A busy social life often requires make up to look ones best. However, make up blocks the pores of the skin and overtime, this gives a tired look.

3.    Drink Lots of Water

Properly hydrated skin always glows and this is due to the fact that blood is continuously cleaned of harmful toxins. Plenty of water in the body also increases blood flow giving your skin the radiant look all day long. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water, more if you sweat profusely.

4.    Eat Healthy

Remember that summers are an ideal time to lose weight and stay in good shape. Therefore, eating healthy foods is very important. Not only does it help the skin in several ways, healthy eating also ensures a proper balance in all body nutrients. Cut down on the junk and pile on fruits and salads.

5.    Exercise Fiercely

Skin care experts say that pushing your exercise regime up a notch in summers is highly beneficial for the skin. Good exercise facilities in sweating which removes dead skin cells and helps regenerate collagen. Hence fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, giving way to a firm and tight skin tone.

6.    Pedicures and Manicures

Just because it’s hot does not mean you will ignore your hands and feet. Remember to give yourself a thorough pedicure and manicure once a month. If you keep clean hands, the chances of bacterial or fungal growth are minimized, keeping you healthy and away from disease.

7.    Cleanse Properly

The first step is to cleanse your face properly. Go for a skin-sensitive cleanser if you have sensitive or acne prone skin because summers seem to bring about more breakouts. Gently cleanse your face at least twice a day.

8.    Exfoliate Deeply

Exfoliation is the next important step in keeping healthy and glowing skin. Exfoliation ensures that the loosened up dead skin is scrubbed out and fresh skin is revealed. Go for a mild gentle scrub to exfoliate your face and if possible, visit a salon for a facial massage. A gentle massage and scrub improves blood flow to the facial cells.

9.    Moisturize lightly

Finally, do not forget to moisturize your face. Excessive cleaning tends to dehydrate the face of essential oils so rehydration is important. If you have oily skin, then this step could be avoided.

10.    Sleep Like a Baby

The last and another very important tip is to get enough sleep. Getting 7 to 8 hours of your ‘beauty sleep’ highly beneficial for the skin and also helps in keeping the areas around your eyes fresh.

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There is good news for gamers across the world this summer – from strategy games such as Red Alert 3 to first person shooters such as Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare 2, some of the most anticipated games will see the light this summer in 2009. So sit tight and enjoy this list of the top 10 PC games of summer 2009.

1. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2
Following the successful action game, Dawn of War, Warhammer has many similar features. Dawn of War 2 will display animal action, a non-linear single-player campaign and co-operative multilayer. The Dawn of War 2 trailers seem stunning enough to put the game on the number one spot.

2. StarCraft 2
A close rival of Dawn of War 2, the developers of StarCraft 2 believe it to be the “ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.” This sequel will have three original races inspite of the fact that Terran: Wings of Liberty, Zerg: Heart of the Swarm, and Protoss: Legacy of the Void will be launched discretely.

3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
A part of the most gripping and realistic war-time FPS PC games, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will ensure that PC gamers employ more computer controls. Infinity Ward’s team has promised a an improvement from the previous version and we can’t wait!

4. Aliens: Colonial Marines
Aliens: Colonial Marines is set after the events of Alien 3 and will mark no HUD to ensure that gamers use their presence of mind rather than computer aided gaming.  Interestingly, the game has ‘quick time events’ which will happen when a player faces a one-on-one situation with an alien.

5. Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising
After some initial post-production hiccups, Operation Flashpoint 2 is at last set for release. Sequel to the globally popular Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, this one is mature and emphases extreme authenticity. It will be exciting to match it against Modern Warfare 2.

6. Wolfenstein
A remake of the original ‘Wolfenstein’, this one is during the second world war when Nazi Germany was  at the height of its might. Details have not been revealed after the initial plot narrative but reports say that Wolfenstein will feature a real world and a parallel dimension, a new concept in PC games.

7. Diablo 3
Controversy has always surrounded the Diablo franchise but the road to Diablo 3’s release seems clear at the moment. An action-RPG which features Havok physics, destructible environments, energetic visuals, and huge range of computer configurations, action gamers are still keeping their fingers crossed for its release.

8. The Sims 3
Continuing the immensely popular Sims franchise, Sims 3 has a whole plate of exciting developments and tweaks after the Sims 2 expansions. Players can live out 11 careers and a better Create-A-Sim feature allows players to adjust everything about a Sim and it’s environment.

9. Splinter Cell: Conviction
Yet another release which is jinxed with unexpected delays, Splinter Cell: Conviction was initially being released in 2007. The sequel continues the story of, Sam Fisher. With extraordinary visuals and an improved stealth gameplay, Ubisoft plans to make Splinter Cell: Conviction the ultimate Tom Clancy game.

10. Deus Ex 3
After the poor performance of Deus Ex 2 last year, not much has yet been disclosed about DX 3 by the publishers except that the game will have major improvements from previous versions in terms of reality and visual gameplay. Even the core gaming engine is being revamped to give DX 3 a new feel.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Prepare to be shocked, amused, horrified and thrilled. A sling of exciting movies are scheduled for release and we cannot wait anymore. One can see acclaimed filmmakers such as Michael Mann, Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow, Sam Raimi and Woody Allen hogging the limelight already. Here is our take on the movies to look out for this summer 2009.

1.    Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen
Directed by- Michael Bay

Following last years’ immensely popular science fiction action film, ‘The Transformers’, Michael Bay is all set to release the sequel. Everyone is waiting with bated to see the sexy Megan Fox and boyish Shia LaBeouf take on gigantic robots. With Bay’s crazy and original imagination, we can definitely expect a power-packed performance again.

2.    Star Trek
Directed by- J.J. Abrams

Known for directing Mission Impossible III, J.J Abrams has recreated the magic with Eric Bana and Zachary Quinto in Star Trek. With tremendous mass appeal and substance, Star Trek is definitely a movie to catch this summer.

3.    The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Directed by – Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson is back with an adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, Fantastic Mr. Fox. An animated comedy, we can see that Anderson is directing a similar crew as in is previous films. The movie is revolves around three farmers and a quick fox who pinches their poultry to feed his family.

4.    Bruno
Directed by- Larry Charles
Bruno is supposedly an out and out comedy along the lines of Borat and if you happen to catch the first few promos, you will agree when we say the movie actually is funnier than writer Cohen’s last effort in Borat.

5.    Sherlock Holmes
Directed by – Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie’s latest effort, this time he is directing Robert Downey Jr. as the ageless British detective. Mark Strong plays the role of villain which in itself adds dollops of substance to it. This one will be a pure Guy Ritchie entertainer.

6.    Whatever Works
Written and directed by- Woody Allen

After the box office and critical success of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, expectations are definitely high with Whatever Works. Larry David fits perfectly into the lead role and if Woody’s dialogue writing skills work their charm again, we can expect an art house hit out of Whatever Works.

7.     Drag Me to Hell
Directed by- Sam Raimi

With Drag Me to Hell, Sam Raimi relives the genre that gave him his share of fame – horror. Even though producers are sending him scripts for big budget films, Raimi’s passion for horror is still strong.

8.    Funny People
Written and directed by- Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow seems to be on a spree of making comedies that stand out from the rest in the industry. Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen play a pair of stand up comedians in Funny People.

9.    Inglourious Basterds
Written and Directed by- Quentin Tarantino

Expect an ultra-violent, three-hour World War II movie with lots of mad german soliders, French soldiers and a crazier Brad Pitt as a general in Quentin Tarantino upcoming film. Already the most anticipated film of the year, Inglourious Basterds has the potential to amaze you like bo other QT film has done before.

10.    Public Enemies
Directed by- Michael Mann

Public Enemies captures the true story of criminal John Dillinger and FBI agent Melvin Purvis set in the 1930s in America. Johnny Depp looks the perfect gangster of the depression era and some of his action sequences in the promos are just incredible.

Popularity: 2% [?]

For all the readers out there, we have tried to uncover some of the unconventional authors of our generation. The books range from a wide range of subjects covering fiction and fantasy, non – fiction and economies. The purpose of this list is single and that is to open the eyes of the reader to enjoy the immense and rich mixture of books that are lying unnoticed on bookshelves.

1.    The Fantastic Book of Everybody’s Secrets – by Sophie Hannah –
Recognized as an award winning writer of thrillers and crime stories, Sophie Hannah offers a fresh and unique taste from her fantastic fantasies. One could actually compare this book to Roald Dahl’s style of writing which involves funny characters in weirdly strange and comic situations.

2.    Vicky Had One Eye Open – by Darryl Samaraweera –
Colorful, frank and emotional, this is the story of a patient called Vicky and her sensitive family. When Vicky falls into a coma, her life is changed forever and as the story unravels, the reader is amazed at the poetic brilliance of the author.

3.     Bad Traffic – by Simon Lewis –
Based in the lethal streets of rustic England, Bad Traffic is about cop from the Siberian border, Inspector Jian. After a frantic phone call from her daughter, the inspector sets on a mission to hunt down a group of thieves but his problems are far greater – he is Chinese, knows no English and has very little cash. Gripping and adventurous, this is a must read for crime fiction fans.

4.    Hungry City – by Carolyn Steel –
Carolyn Steel opens our eyes to the inevitable bond linking food production, urban development and land use. The book delicately examines such issues and charts out solutions to the problems associated with food creation and land usage. While a serious read, this one definitely gives us social and economical food for thought.

5.    Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do, And What It Says About Us – by Tom Vanderbilt –
Malcolm Gladwell’s raging authority in the field of psychology has resulted in this bright and candid insight into the world of traffic behavior. This appealing and populist study at driving behavior and transportation planning will surprise and amaze you.

6.    Random Deaths and Custard – by Catrin Dafydd –
Sam Jones is an ordinary girl living having an extra ordinary life – she is escaping random deaths throughout her life. She escapes a serious accident under the kitchen cupboard, faints after tripping on the bus and then almost dies from a choked fish finger until a total stranger rescues her. Random Deaths has been written with a touch of humor, love and some really good laughs.

7.     Wild – by Jay Griffiths –
Wild is essentially Jay’s childhood ride in search of wilderness. Jay took seven long years to complete this work and gave it everything she had – time, money and lots of effort. ‘Wild’ is a stunning book on many planes – its arousing, enriching, and richly sprinkled with esoteric philosophy.

8.    Season of the Witch – by Natasha Mostert –
Season of the Witch is the evocative tale of a person who is pulled into the mystifying life of two gorgeous witch sisters proficient in the Art of Memory.   A murder story coupled with elements of romance, Season of the Witch is purely original in its ideas.

9.    The Concrete Dragon: China’s Urban Revolution And What It Means For The World – by Thomas J. Campanella –
The Concrete Dragon is an urban planning professor’s view on China’s rapidly expanding urban expansion. Concrete Dragon is full of confounding figures (like in 2003 alone, China put up 28 billion sq. ft. of housing!). This book achieves in presenting the incredulous Chinese growth story.

10.    Visioning and Visualization: People, Pixels, and Plans – by Michael Kwartler and Gianni Longo –
Full of life with the large color images, the book succeeds in providing an insight about the authors’ key ideas – the importance of visuals in planning and the general society. The book is a superb guide on how one can visualize and implement visuals using modern techniques.

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