Albizia Lophantha, commonly known as Plume Albizia or Albizia lebbeck in temperate and subtropical regions of the world, is a perennial, deciduous tree, native to Asia. It is often used in tropical regions for erosion control, as a source of hardwood, and as a forage crop. Because it reproduces swiftly and offers a high rate … Read more
For more than 40 years, I have been growing daffodils in small gardens in eastern Canada and California, usually just planting them wherever I could find room. But it is only recently that I have realized that daffodils are primarily garden flowers. Now I am acutely aware of the casual way they are generally treated … Read more
Fall is a good time to plant. The pleasant weather tempts one to be outside. Moisture conditions are usually good. Should spring planting be delayed by cold, wet weather, many valuable weeks of growing time are given to the plants if they have been planted in the fall. Of course, for the gardeners like me … Read more
Zantedeschia (zan-te-DES-kee-uh) is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant belonging to the genus Zantedeschia and the Araceae family, also known as the Arums (Jack-in-the-pulpit) family. The genus name Zantedeschia originated from the Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi. It was given by the German botanist Kurt Sprengel in honor of the Italian botanist. This showy perennial flower plant … Read more
In addition to the highly cultivated and often finicky hybrid tea roses, which are so generally prized for the rose garden, many free-growing types are particularly suitable for effective planting in the wild garden, in shrubbery borders, in hedges, and as specimen plants. The wild or species roses have a charm and elegance in the … Read more
To find the sweetbrier (Rosa eglanteria), the favorite rose of Chaucer, Spenser, and Shakespeare — and a galaxy of other English poets in the rugged granite country of our southeastern Ozarks was an experience quite as delightful as it was surprising. Find it we did with all its fragrance and red berries — apparently as … Read more
For too many years, camellias have been limited to regions along the Atlantic seaboard from Norfolk, Virginia, southward and the Gulf Coast and the West Coast of the United States; too mild areas of England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia and to temperate Asia. Because there are now so many reports of … Read more
The oncocyclus iris are native to Palestine and other areas with long, dry, hot summers. Cold winters are mentioned, but I am sure those referred to could not compare to our Minnesota winters. Except for an occasional dry spell during the summer, we have much more moisture than the oncocyclus iris is supposed to be … Read more
Have you ever tried to grow lilies from scales? If you haven’t, you have missed one of the most interesting gardening experiences. Many new hybrid garden lilies produce little or no seed, so you will find propagating them from scales (the segments of the bulb which look like sections of an artichoke) is an easy … Read more
The golden-rayed lily of Japan, Lilium auratum, has been called the queen of lilies. It is regally tall and graceful, and its deliciously fragrant, waxy-white flowers have broad golden bands flecked with crimson running down the center of the petals. In some hybrids, the bands are crimson and broader than the type. The flowers are … Read more