Streptocarpus is a plant that all can enjoy with its heat-loving nature and tropical looks. This beautiful, shade-loving perennial is native to Madagascar, Southern Africa, and the East Indies. Often referred to as Cape primroses, this relative of African violets can be used in many different ways. It produces beautiful dark green leaves and lavender … Read more
Lilies are hardy plants that are relatively easy to grow. But some, several diseases and pests can present challenges to that goal. Aphids Aphids are a common pest of many plants; unfortunately, lilies are no exception. They reproduce rapidly in the spring then the offspring begin to feed on any plant nearby. Their tiny bodies … Read more
The Madonna lily, Lilium candidum, has been cultivated in gardens 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 an excellent choice for our American gardens because it is one … Read more
Each year when spring rolls around, many home gardeners wish they had been more foresighted the previous fall, especially when they see a thoughtfully planned garden, gay with tulips. You can plant tulips until the ground freezes, so why not plan to include them now in broad masses in the foreground of your shrub border … Read more
The Spaniards called the California poppy Copa de Oro, a cup of gold, and Dormidera after its habit of closing at sundown, or on sunless days. They called the California coastline “La Tierra del Fuego”—the land of lire or conflagration —for its seemingly limitless poppy fields that stretched mile upon flaming mile, swathes twenty miles … Read more
“We’ve just about reached the end. Anything further will be just a minor improvement on what we already have.” This is the statement some people are making about the future of African violet varieties. My answer to this is the story about the government official in the 1800s who advocated closing the Patent Office as … Read more
“Sell my wife anything she wants in the shop – except an African-violet plant!” This was the telephone call a nursery received from the husband of a woman who the African violet bug had bitten. This same bug caught up with Mrs. Herbert S. Miller of Oklahoma City about seven years ago—since which time she … Read more
Why are tree peonies grafted? Tree peonies from seed do not grow true to color and the plants do not lend themselves to division. Why are tree peonies generally more expensive than herbaceous types? The propagation of tree peonies is both difficult and slow. What is the color range of tree peonies? White. pink, coral, … Read more
If you should ask Mrs. Edith Waller her secret with propagating African violets. she will most likely say: “Why anyone can raise them—just give them a little time and attention.” She should know as she has successfully raised, hybridized, and even sold African-violet plants for the past ten years—just by giving them a little time … Read more
Of course, daylilies can be grown in the Western Fog Belt! They are not often seen here, but that is because too few suitable varieties have been planted to become well known. Although the quality, size, and color of daylily flowers depend on temperature and light intensity, many clones will bloom beautifully in the Pacific … Read more