Tree Peonies For Permanence

Tree Peonies

Many old colonial gardens had a few enormous bushes of the first tree peony to be brought from China. This was Paeonia moutan banksi, named for Sir Joseph Banks, director of Kew Gardens, in 1787 when the plant was brought to him by a traveler he had instructed to look out for it.  According to … Read more

Fall Corsages From Your Own Flowers

Fall Corsages

The abundance of flowers all through the fall gives rise to the feeling that they must be enjoyed everywhere – in the garden, in bouquets throughout the home, and for personal adornment.  For the latter purpose, no blooms are more adaptable and suitable than dahlias and chrysanthemums, and, besides, few are more easily obtained. Three … Read more

Sacred Lily Of India

Sacred Lily

Would you like to grow a tuberous rooted plant native to Indochina in your window garden or greenhouse?  Hydrosme (he-DROSme) is a member of the arum family and sits on a family tree with the calla lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, and many other familiar plants.  Hydrosme Rivieri Hydrosme rivieri (sometimes listed as Amorphophallus rivieri) is … Read more

Plant The Little Bulbs Indoors

Indoor Bulbs

Why wait for spring when bleak winter clays can be bright with early flowering bulbs? Designed for busy people and limited window space, these cool-flowering bulbs, often called “the minor bulbs” are easy to grow indoors.  Small bulbs are inexpensive too, but for best results avoid bargain leftovers from outdoor planting. Only plump healthy bulbs … Read more

Ways To Use Bulbs

Using Bulbs

Perhaps you’ll want most of your bulbs in the flower garden with other flowers. Daffodils are pretty there, in clumps of named varieties set midway across a border—although the tiniest kinds belong right at the front.  Tulips too in clumps of six to 12 alike make fine garden color early in the year. When tops … Read more

Depth And Spacing Of 23 Bulbs To Plant

Depth Spacing Bulbs

Planting a bulb is one of the simplest procedures in gardening. Most planted this fall will respond and bloom next spring even if you plant them upside down (but please avoid that if you can). Our drawings show the correct positions. Several Factors How To Plant Bulb Hinges In heavy clay soil, you would not … Read more

Selecting Hyacinths

Selecting Hyacinths

The stiff 10-inch columns of red, pink, blue, purple, yellow, and white of the Dutch hyacinths make a good early spring color where you want formality. Hyacinths are also an easy subject to force into winter-time bloom in pots.  Certain varieties are especially good for this, although almost any kind may be used. Another form … Read more

Cradles Of Our Music Makers

Birds

As I look out my study window and across the neighboring field, I can see the signal flags of the red maples that line the woodland border flashing in the bright September sunshine.  Summer is on the wane, and before many more days have passed Autumn, with all its colorful splendor and pageantry, will be … Read more

New Beauty For Lilies

Lilies

As lilies become more beautiful, they become tougher also. This happy situation puts them in the front running for flower popularity in the near future.  As soon as gardeners discover that these glamorous flowers are also vigorous (hardy to cold, heat- and disease-resistant), prolific, and able to withstand neglect, the lily stock is bound to … Read more

Old-World Charm Meets Modern Garden: Ancient Irises for Today

Ancient Irises

Summary: Discover the rich history and unique beauty of aril irises, including Oncocyclus and Regalia species, and how you can grow them in your garden. Have you ever heard about the fascinating world of ancient irises? These exotic flowers, named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, have a rich history and stunning color … Read more