Can one date beauty or say of plants just when they are ready to take their rightful place in the garden world? I believe we can in the case of lilies. These lovely, hardy, easy-to-grow plants have come a long way from the species collected in the wild. They have had a difficult transition period. … Read more
Spring flowering bulbs are the heralds of spring. You can have these flowers in your home a month to 6 weeks ahead of those that will bloom outdoors by planting them in pots and caring for them for a few weeks. Read Catalogs in Selecting Bulbs Catalogs listing these beautiful flowers will be available soon. … Read more
Late flowering daffodils are usually white. Those interested in yellows will probably find none later than the little Narcissus gracilis, present in many gardens where its name is unknown and it is referred to as “the latest yellow daffodil there is.” Flowers are a delicate yellow with a somewhat darker yellow cup, each flower about … Read more
You’ve noticed, I’m sure, how quickly the snow melts away from the south wall of a building. Where the sun’s heat is amplified by reflection, the grass turns green and dandelions often flower in February. But have you thought of utilizing your south wall for something more rewarding than dandelions? Species crocuses are well adapted … Read more
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