Flowers for Ariel (and her Flock)

Today is Ariel’s 5^th birthday, and we are be celebrating with flowers for breakfast!
Yes, I said flowers for breakfast. Although today is a special day, and Ariel and her flockmates are getting and extra fancy bunch of flowers, I give them some type of flower everyday, when they are avaliable in my garden.
What you don’t feed your parrot flowers? Perhaps you should. Most Parrots love flowers. Parrots in the wild eat a lot of flowers, as well as leaves, twigs and bark. Many have nutritional and medicinal properties that   we are just beginning to discover, here are a few…

Calendula    Soothing and regenerative to the skin. Anti-inflammatory, astringent, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral. Heals wounds, cuts, scrapes, rashes, bee stings, burns, and bruises by stimulating white blood cells. Carotene, iodine, and manganese. Chamomile  Soothing to the digestive system. Rejuvenates skin. Decreases feather plucking.  Relaxing for nervous birds. Decreases night thrashing.
Marigolds  Repels insects. Carotene, Vitamin A. (Lemon Gem and Tangerine Gem have the best flavor, although all varieties are edible.)
Nasturtiums    Supports respiratory system
Pansies, Violas, Violets  Soothes itchy skin. Supports and strengthens capillary heath. Helps treat and prevent glaucoma.

Some other *SAFE flowers are African Daisy, Baby’s Breath, Bachelor Buttons, Bee Balm, Begonia, Dahlia, Daylily, Dianthus (Carnations, Pinks, Sweet William), Honeysuckle, Hibiscus, Impatiens, Lilac, Passion Flower, Petunia, Purple Cone Flower, Queen Ann’s Lace, Roses, Snapdragons, Tulips, Yarrow, blossoms from Apple & Pear trees, Squash blossoms, Pea blossoms (Garden Peas ONLY, ornamental Sweet Peas are TOXIC), flowers from herbs such as Arugula, Basil, Borage, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Mint, Rosemary, the flowers tops of bolted greens, such as Broccoli, Bok Choy, Collard Greens, Kale, Mustard Greens, Turnips,  Carrot and Radish flowers, or “weeds” such as Chicory, Chickweed, Dandelion, and Red Clover.

By *SAFE, I mean that these flowers have no known toxic properties in and of themselves, but CAUTION must still be used! These flowers should be grown organically, without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. If you purchase new plants from a garden center, you must for safety sake assume they have been treated. Gently remove as much original soil as possible and replant in organic soil, remove any existing flowers or buds, wait at minimum 30 days (3 months would be better) to offer any new flowers to your parrot. It is safest to grow your own plants from seed, as you can control the growing process from the start.

Flowers from a Florist must NEVER NEVER be given to your parrot!!!! As a former florist, I can tell you they are full of dangerous toxic chemicals!!!

Some TOXIC flowers are Buttercup, Calla Lily, Clematis, Daffodil, Foxglove, Heliotrope, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Iris, Lantana, Larkspur, Lily-of-the-Valley, Lupine, Morning Glory, Peony, Primrose, Sweet Pea.

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