It is time to think about planting lilies again. One friend of mine has discovered that if he sends, say, $20 dollars or more according to how flush he feels, and asks for any odds and ends the lily grower has on hand he gets a wonderful bargain. He does not ask for any named … Read more
Clerodendrum Thomsoniae is a beautiful, evergreen shrub from tropical West Africa. It is commonly known as the Bleeding-heart vine or Glorybower. The plant’s name comes from the Greek words “kleros,” meaning chance, and “dendron,” meaning tree. This plant is a fast grower and can reach up to 20′ feet in length. The leaves are opposite, … Read more
Amaryllis, also known as Hippeastrum x hybridum or simply Hippeastrum (hi-pee-a-struhm), is a herbaceous bulbous plant belonging to the genus Hippeastrum and a member of the family Amaryllidaceae or the Amaryllis family. The genus Hippeastrum, which means “knight’s star in Latin,” was given by the British botanist William Herbert in the 1800s. It was said … Read more
Many kinds of bulbs are planted in the fall. A great number of them give spring bloom. Examples are snowdrops, squills, grape hyacinths, crocuses, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. A few are not hardy in the northern part of our region, but most can winter through, especially with good mulch protection. Select good-sized bulbs if you … Read more
If there is any hardy flower that has gained popularity more rapidly during recent years than the lily, we do not know what it is. The old idea that they are challenging to grow is fast fading out, and rightly so! Many modern lilies are much easier to grow than their predecessors. This, plus better … Read more
The Madonna lily first came to the attention of the man in the “dawn of prehistory.” This was in the part of the world traditionally associated with the Garden of Eden. Whether hungry people discovered and cherished the plant for the food value of the bulb or whether gardeners — their acre gardeners then — … Read more
Like plumed soldiers on parade, some garden geraniums (a form of Pelargonium hortorum) hold their heads erect, while others, with long-stemmed flowers, appear to nod in greeting. Whether bedded out in the open ground, lined along a walk, or placed as sentinels in selected spots, the geranium is a beloved plant everywhere. All are suitable … Read more
Can you imagine speckled and veined flowers in lilac-pink, scarlet-bronze, greenish-white, maroon, gray, and black? These are the exotic oncocyclus and regalia iris, called aril iris because their seeds have prominent white arils or collars. To some iris fanciers and discriminating gardeners, they are the bluebloods of the flower world. The colors of these iris … Read more
Plumbago (plum-BAY-go) is a genus of flowering plants in the Plumbaginaceae family with 10 to 20 species. It is native to South Africa and grows year-round in the southernmost areas of Texas and Florida because of the similar climates. The name plumbago derives from the Latin word plumbum, which means lead. According to Pliny the … Read more
The talinum paniculatum (tal-i-num pan-ick-yoo-lay-tum) is a succulent that is a perennial flowering plant. It is home to the Talinaceae family, which includes 28 other species of flowering succulents. The talinum paniculatum is native to the United States and the Caribbean. The plant is a shrub-type plant that blooms with bright pink flowers in the … Read more