There is something about the sweetly scented lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) that breathes spring. Put a pot of them in full bloom on the table at Christmas time, and the snow disappears, and the cold winds seem to fade to a gentle breeze. You can almost feel the rich, crumbling soil between your … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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