The Madonna lily, Lilium candidum, has been cultivated in gardens for a long time for over 3,400 years. Such popularity is richly deserved, for it is the loveliest lily in existence. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest to raise successfully in ordinary garden soil. It is a particularly good choice for our mid-America … Read more
The adjectives miniature, dwarf, and low growing used to describe iris mean different things to irisarians, botanists, and gardeners. In fact, only in recent years have clear-cut distinctions been made and adopted by the American Iris Society. To home gardeners interested in iris for border edgings, rock gardens, and pots of spring color, the names … Read more
A hotdog at a Cub Scout cookout has greater life expectancy than alpine gentians in a sea-level garden. A plant conditioned to the clear air and blazing sun of high altitudes is bound to suffer in a humid, sultry atmosphere. And its roots, designed to anchor in the austere crevices of rocky slopes, are quickly … Read more
In many parts of the United States, the lovely, fragrant auratum lily, the goldband lily of Japan, usually lasts only one year. Why? This is one of the two finest hardy garden lilies; the other is Lilium speciosum rubrum, so the experts claim. Other lilies are touchy, such as Lilium speciosum album, Lilium marlagon, even … Read more
The iris has gathered rich lore through the centuries by symbolizing royalty and fertility to the ancient Egyptians, patriotism to the Buddhists, and Christ’s death to the Christians. The iris was named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for the gods. Certain iris, probably the crested type, symbolized woe to the Greeks … Read more
Every new daffodil introduction is interesting to the enthusiast. If the price is within his reach, he is tempted to buy. But in many cases, the cost is prohibitive, and the new variety may be no better titan many inexpensive older kinds, which are more costly obtainable. In show competition, inexpensive varieties have just as … Read more
How would you like to look out of your window at a snowbank of sweetness, with a beauty that delights the eye, the fragrance that pleases the nose, and purity and perfection that satisfy the soul? Then try Easter lilies – the lazy man’s flowers. Since they are dormant during the hot summer months when … Read more
Cut flowers in the home greenhouse provide a welcome profusion of winter bloom and a ready source of flowers for indoor bouquets. The initial outlay for a packet or two of seed is small indeed for the bountiful supply of flowers that can be produced. Even if bench space is limited, succession plantings in pots … Read more
The English names for colchicum are “autumn-crocus” and “meadow-saffron,” which are misnomers. Numerous species and varieties of the true crocus bloom in the fall; the saffron of commerce is a crocus (Crocus sativus). Although the flowers of colchicum and crocus look alike, they are not closely related, belonging not only to different genera but also … Read more
Don’t let anyone tell you that delphiniums are hard to grow. After having grown some 15,000 delphiniums over the past seven years, I believe that if you can grow iris, daylilies, or even radishes, you will have as much success with delphiniums. The familiar blue of delphinium is now only one of the cameo colors … Read more