The following are responses to a request for cultural information on the Madonna lily from readers who have grown this lily successfully in their gardens over the years. Doing Well In Heavy Soil I planted 5″ inch lily bulbs three years ago, and they bloomed the following year. This year, they have three spikes to … Read more
Since its introduction to this country nearly one hundred years ago, the gold band lily, known to botanists as Lilium auratum, has been one of the most desirable and popular lilies. It well deserves the enthusiastic praise it has received from gardeners lucky enough to be successful with it. Unfortunately, many people are not able … Read more
Many years ago a doctor friend of mine had a Christmas card picturing a lovely garden with this quotation from Kipling beneath—”Such gardens are not made by saying, ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.” That doctor is no longer young, but his interest in gardens and flowers has grown with the years. Not … Read more
One perennial which commands attention in both garden and border is the stately, majestic, multi-flowered eremurus. When mature, it stands 4’ to 12’ feet high, depending on the species or variety, and bears a striking spike of blooms 2’ to 3’ feet in length. Each spike attractively displays hundreds of perfect, starlike, bell-shaped flowers. In … Read more
The mountains of Spain and Portugal provide numerous species of miniature daffodils, which are charming little Spring subjects for the rockery of easy culture. The dainty flowers have a variety of interesting and pleasing forms and show the best advantage when height is no hindrance. The blooms stand stately on 3” to 6” inch stems. … Read more
Your roses can be beautiful right up to frost if you maintain constant vigilance with a spraying or dusting program. How well you keep the foliage and stems protected from September to frost may well determine how old man winter treats your roses, plus the number and quality of blooms you get next year. Spots … Read more
Plants are too young and immature. Let them develop. Planted too deep. Examine and, if eyes are more than 3” inches underground, raise to two inches. Large clumps are planted without proper division. Dig, divide into small or standard divisions and plant. Buds were killed by late frost. Hope for better luck next year. Buds … Read more
Peonies are perfect perennials, attractive from early spring when the reddish shoots appear until they die down in a blaze of autumn glory. After the billowy mounds of pink, white to creamy yellow, crimson, or rose have graced the garden in season, the foliage remains green and decorative all summer long. Plant a good peony … Read more
The daylily has long enjoyed the reputation of being dependable and versatile. It is easy to grow for the beginning gardener. There are over 8,000 named and introduced varieties with five to six hundred new named introductions each year which tempt the avid collectors. They may be in bloom from spring to fall and the … Read more
which the name was initially applied was Primula vulgaris. Its foliage is like that of the polyanthus, but its single-stalked flowers easily distinguish it from the clustered inflorescence of its hybrid. Occasionally, however, some of the modern strains of Primula vulgaris tend to produce small low clusters toward the end of the blooming season. The … Read more