June is a joyous time, for its iris-time. Everywhere, gardens large and small, private and public, even nursery rows — are a glow with the rainbow flowers in all their ravishing colors. To these displays, areas come the iris fans and the beauty lovers, gathering in tiny groups or throngs, to both appreciate and study … Read more
Would you like your garden to attract the attention of all who pass by? If so, plant Japanese iris, Iris kaempferi. This large, graceful iris comes into bloom in late May, June, or July, depending upon the section of the country, just as the last tall bearded iris have faded and the English iris is … Read more
The Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema), often called an Indian turnip, is a common sight in the wild throughout most of the central and eastern United States. Its distinctive green and maroon-striped spathe surround a fleshy, maroon spadix that bears tiny, embedded flowers. Birds like thrushes and rodents find the plant’s bright red berries an attractive food source. … Read more
As all good gardeners know, constant weeding is vital in the growth of all top-quality flowers, including dahlias. Then too, the soil must be kept loose and fluffy, especially after every heavy rain. It is also important to keep the plants well-watered during dry spells. Watch your soil carefully, and when it needs water, do … Read more
Tulip flowers surpass violets in scenting the air with a pervasive yet subtle fragrance. It is possible by selection to enjoy a variety of scents from the beginning to the end of the tulip season. So do tulips have a scent? The most pleasing tulip fragrance is that of freesias. In some tulips, this scent … Read more
Many years ago, we transplanted a clump or two of marsh marigolds to the banks of our brook. Today, they cover the banks with gold and spread into an old alder swamp and the damp woods beyond. They are a joy to our eyes, hungry for color after the long winter. Cowslip is another name … Read more
Wood Sorrel is native to North America and Eurasia. Though it can be found in Canada and nearly every state of the United States, it is most abundant in the eastern United States and Canada. The Wood Sorrel, Oxalis—Shamrock plants in many garden centers—is not a true shamrock. Instead, Oxalis has a character all its … Read more
The bright tubular flowers of the Cigar Plant, often called the Firecracker Plant, are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. his is the perfect product for borders and beds. In addition, this is an excellent choice for containers, baskets, and window boxes. Native to Mexico and the West Indies, the cigar plant has been … Read more
Busy Lizzie (or impatiens) is a tender, long-lasting plant that flowers continuously through the summer and fall and sometimes right up to the frosts. The impatiens are adaptable, compact-growing plants that can be grown in any container or within borders. They can flower in vivid colors such as red, pink, orange, purple, and even white. … Read more
Chrysanthemums, once thought of primarily as flowers for autumn gardens and greenhouses, are now grown all year round. With an eye to scientific research, Horticulturists discovered that chrysanthemums bloom when the days are short. By controlling the light, using simple means like shading with a dark cloth, the plants bloom outdoors before frosting in cold … Read more