The Achimenes (mother’s tears plant) is a member of the Gesneriad family and is closely related to gloxinias and African violets. Common names are monkey-faced pansy, hot water plant (its tubercles refuse to sprout in the spring unless they are warm), and nut-orchid. Achimenes Plants “Older” Than African Violet The Achimenes are old compared with … Read more
Iris, mainly the rhizomatous kinds, have fewer pests and diseases than any other significant group of ornamental plants. This fact, coupled with the ease with which Iris may be grown under widely varying conditions, largely accounts for their great popularity among home gardeners. Occasionally a few insects and microorganisms attack them, particularly in old or … Read more
Three homeowners share how they did landscaping with roses. Mrs. Lee H. Hacker and Uncovered Treasures When we bought our place in the beautiful Ramapo Mountains 40 years ago, it seemed to hint at undiscovered treasures. On exploring this possibility, we weren’t disappointed! One of our “finds” was a drywall, 2′ feet high, extending 150′ … Read more
Twenty years ago, the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) was rare even though it had grown in America since 1865. Fortunately, since then, however, gardeners have gradually begun to appreciate its value as a sturdy, ornamental clinging vine, and commercial horticulturists across the country have started propagating it. True, this vine is slow to start growing … Read more
Everyone must have noticed the alum-dance of low growing flowers in our deciduous woodlands in the early Spring, but later in the year, after the leaves overhead cast a heavy shade, few blossoms are to be found. Then the thrifty adder’s tongue, or trout lily, Erythronitan americanum, has laid up nourishment in its storeroom underground … Read more
On a recent trip abroad, I was privileged to see hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas, most of which are unknown to the gardens of New England. These are species from the oriental hinterlands, and hybrids have been produced from there. Grown in England, Scotland, and Wales, they are mostly too tender for our cold climate, … Read more
Those who grow Michaelmas daisies look forward to their flowers with great anticipation. Though their sheer gaiety is always appealing, many gardeners have not accepted them as the prime perennial for color and interest in the garden before the hardy chrysanthemums break into bloom. Judging from experiences at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Canada, where … Read more
As the first breath of spring scents the air, the uppermost thought in my mind and many other gardeners is to tread the beaten garden path to watch for the tiny red shoot that will produce a magnificent flower in a few short weeks the peony. This dramatic unfolding of nature is a spring spectacle … Read more
Tucked away in forgotten corners of many gardens are plants of the butterfly iris. Given scant attention and care, these plants faithfully reward their owners with a short but glorious bloom period every spring. For some decades, the butterfly iris, or spuria, has been a neglected member of the iris family. But this will no … Read more
Crossandra (kross-AN-druh) is a tropical, evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Crossandra and the Acanthaceae family, more commonly known as the Acanthus family. The genus Crossandra came from the Greek word “Kross,” meaning fringe or tassels, and the feminine Greek word “andra,” hence the meaning “having a fringed stamen or fringed anthers.” This tropical subshrub … Read more