Today, there exists a strain of Hibiscus (Northern Hardy), which, with its chalked bloom, is the natural creation of a miracle equaling the legends of the Holy Grail. This flower, a charming creamy white, 1 ½” deep chalice 6″ to 8″ in diameter, gracefully curves its petals upward and inward at the deckled and fluted … Read more
If there were a “language of flowers,” you’d probably find daylilies have a southern accent. These adaptable perennials fit graciously into gardens everywhere. Still, there’s no doubt that more of them have found happy homes in the South and Southwest during the past decade than anywhere else. It isn’t that other gardeners love daylilies less; … Read more
Somebody said it couldn’t be done—peonies couldn’t be grown successfully as far south as Corinth, Mississippi. But Milton F. Rubel, retired banker of Corinth, who has been gardening for 65 of his 71 years, wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Milton F. Rubel’s Peony Journey In 1930, he bought a few of the early double … Read more
Recently, the gardener yearning for a great display of pure white Madonna lilies has had to inhibit his desire for them. He could not afford bulbs in large quantities, and if he had no greenhouse, his attempts to raise seeds and seedlings were often plagued with failures. But the world moves forward. Today, hundreds of … Read more
Each year at the fall flower shows of garden clubs and county and state fairs, the magnificence of cockscomb (Celosia) has onlookers exclaiming in a mixture of disbelief and delight. The vegetable and flower booths at local fall fairs are stripped instantly by avid flower arrangers who flock to purchase the cockscomb sold there. Celosia … Read more
Of all fall garden chores, the one I like least is planting spring bulbs. I buy them as soon as they are on the market, but for weeks, the tidy labeled envelopes repose in the shed before I can muster the courage to plant them. Since moving to a woodland lot a few years ago, … Read more
At one time, when distances seemed greater, little imagination was necessary to visualize season extremes between the two hemispheres. The United States was in the grip of winter, while New Zealanders were sweltering in 80° degrees Fahrenheit heat. But with only a few days of air travel drawing the two countries closer, it seems strange … Read more
Does the word amaryllis have a magical sound for you? This truly magical hull) originally from South Africa, is a means of continuing your gardening indoors during winter. Lily-shaped flowers of bright hues, usually three to a stem and with from one to three stems, are the reward for growing amaryllis. Bulb size determines the … Read more
Home gardeners find that rooting scented-leaved geraniums is not always easy. Often, they have a favorite plant they want to propagate and, after several attempts, meet with failure. Among the many kinds, some root very easily, while others are very tricky. Of the popular scented-leaved geraniums, the lemon-scented and the rose-scented varieties root easily and … Read more
You can have foxtail lilies if you have acres of garden or just a little 6 by 10-foot flower border. These magnificent members of the lily tribe range from the 10-foot Eremurus himalaicus with its 4-foot spread of leaves to the neatly tailored Shelford and Van Tubergen hybrids that will fit into a spot on … Read more