Last January 28, our first windowsill crocus opened three pale blue blossoms of Crocus biflorus argenteus. From the time a week earlier when they first appeared, I’d been watching the development of the fascinating zebra-striped purple and cream buds, but the day of their opening took me completely by surprise. For the night before, in … Read more
There are several methods of growing bulbs indoors. The simplest is by growing in water. Hyacinths and paperwhite narcissus are very often grown in this way. On the market, there are special glasses for treating hyacinths in this manner. The bottom of the glass is filled with water, a little charcoal is added to keep … Read more
There is no limit to how tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths can be used. The gardener is no longer bound by rules in placing them in the garden than the painter in painting colors on canvas. But the gardener must work according to plan just as the painter does. He must consider the planting as a … Read more
A few years ago, geraniums burst into a new surge of nationwide popularity. Whether grown as potted plants indoors or in the open in the warmer parts of the country, interest in them is still on the increase. Origins and Hybridization of Dwarfs Of the geraniums growing in the appeal are the charming dwarfs and … Read more
Lilies are rapidly assuming an important place. American gardens to which their great beauty, diversity of form, and usefulness entitle them. American lily breeders, large-scale propagation by American bulb growers, and the application of researchers’ findings have all aided in bringing lilies to the center of the stage. Science has tamed the temperamental prima donnas … Read more
A gardener’s adventure with spring bulbs begins with fall’s sharp, apple-scented days, for the tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths that flower in the spring must start as bulbs—to be planted now and during the next few weeks. Gottscho-Schleisncr’s fall and spring photographs remind us that many good gardening days are ahead. (The best gardeners pick … Read more
Of all types of gardening, none gives more certain results nor greater returns in proportion to the amount of time and attention required than that of forcing bulbs for winter bloom indoors. I have put the term “forcing” in quotes to emphasize at the start that while it is still generally used, it does not … Read more
To the uninitiated, this may seem like a job for the expert or specialist, but I assure you, it is not. Lilies can be grown anywhere, from the Near Arctic almost to the Tropics. It is not necessary to imitate the habitat of the species exactly. The main thing is picking lilies adapted to the … Read more
You can have the thrill of spring indoors, months before the garden awakens, by forcing hardy bulbs into flowers. It’s not at all difficult; all you have to do is put into practice a few facts already known about bulb growth. Hardy bulbs require a period of darkness and cold (not necessarily freezing) before they … Read more
Have you ever seen chrysanthemums planted to utilize the contrast in their different flower forms? Probably not! Because most gardeners who grow mums are more conscious of their colors than their shapes. Wonderful effects, however, can be attained by choosing from the many forms available—incurves, reflexes, pompons, buttons, singles, anemones, quills, and spiders and nothing’s … Read more