When you take flowers to your local flower show, do you manage to collect your share of blue ribbons? Or have you been content to see the top honors go elsewhere, even when you felt that the star blooms from your beds and borders were—or at least had been when you picked them—equally fine specimens? … Read more
I would choose Shirley poppies if I could have one small patch of poor soil and only one packet of seeds to plant on it. Other gardeners may be enthusiastic about this delightful July flower, but I haven’t met any so far. “They’re too frail,” seems to be the main cry. I haven’t found them … Read more
The brilliantly colored, lily-shaped trumpets of amaryllis have drawn admiration wherever they have been grown. Surprisingly, these magnificent flowers are not as frequently seen in windows as begonias or African violets. It may be that some gardeners have not yet developed the “knack” required in caring for them. Still, the amaryllis is being grown indoors … Read more
Who wouldn’t like house plants that could be easily raised from seed, were neat in growth, and would keep the windows full of bloom all winter long—east, south, or west windows, filled with enough bloom even to allow judicious cutting occasionally for the table! Charming Primula Family The plants that fill these specifications are the … Read more
When dwarf iris enthusiast discusses their favorite subject, they usually have the dwarf beardless or native types in mind, and they usually qualify their enthusiasm by some such phrase as “Once you have found a way of growing them…” But why do they neglect the dwarf bearded types, which need no qualifying reservations whatsoever? I … Read more
Most garden folks, particularly as the frost begins to gather, like to consider old plants and trees. And in my case, I suppose, it is only natural that I should like to consider old roses. Of course, there is bound to be a great deal of interest in the succession of new roses brought to … Read more
Rose development follows a pattern of many plants, out with the old and in with the new. Many rose fanciers switch their allegiance from one type of rose to another. The knockout shrub rose bush is just one example. Attributes Always In Demand This present change will probably not be as radical or as spontaneous … Read more
Rust diseases are caused by parasitic fungus growths, similar to diseases like blackspot and mildew in roses. Fungi are part of the plant kingdom, but they are different from most plants because they don’t have chlorophyll. As a result, they can’t make their own food. Just like animals, fungi rely on plants that have chlorophyll … Read more
Rose expert Paul Zimmerman gets plenty of questions from confused gardeners on how to prune climbing roses. Before the rose pruning season gets underway, Paul explains one essential item you need to know to make pruning less stressful. What’s the essential? It’s more than picking the best Rose Fertilizer. It knows the difference between laterals … Read more
Summary: I love roses but only have a small area, or do you prefer potted roses over those planted in the ground? Learn about the polyantha rose – the potted patio rose – its history and how it may fit in your landscape. Over the years of modern rose development, the polyantha rose has received … Read more