Phlox is one of the soundest of all garden investments for paying color dividends. They can extend, complement or dominate the July to October garden pageant. No other perennial adapts itself more amiably in gardens from coast to coast or is less demanding of attention. It is easy to understand how these qualities combined with … Read more
Midseason color in the garden may be amply provided from a storehouse of plants that are too seldom used. These are the ones that arise from bulbs or tubers. We are accustomed to the brilliant displays of tulips and narcissus in early spring. If we like, we can have continuing colors from bulbs through the … Read more
Petunia, pronounced [peh-TEWN-ya], is a genus of nearly 35 flowering plant species. It belongs to Solanaceae, the nightshade family, native to South America. The common garden petunia (petunia atkinsiana) is a popular decorative plant. Its beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers make it popular for summer window boxes and flowerbeds. The plant’s botanical name is petunia hybrida. The … Read more
Are you wrinkling your forehead and scratching your head wondering what plants to choose for your basic garden plantings? Take my advice: consider, first, the azaleas. Out of flower they’re extremely attractive and in flower they’re absolutely gorgeous. Besides that, they’re permanent, inexpensive, easy to care for, easy to propagate, easy to transplant. All pro … Read more
Summary: Many in the Northwest limit Rhododendrons in their garden to just a few plants – Why? There are many smaller varieties for even the small landscape. Why limit rhododendrons in your garden to one or two majestic plants? With the many new dwarf-to-medium-sized varieties now available it’s possible to enjoy numerous specimens of the Northwest’s … Read more
While every region has its peculiarities, its special challenges, and its particular plants, the region I call Chicago-Minneapolis Axis tests and proves a gardener like no other. To begin with, it makes him face up to the dismaying truth that means temperatures and average annual frost dates, beautiful things on paper, are useless meteorological abstractions. … Read more
Planting from seeds requires a greenhouse and is, quite honestly, a feat to be undertaken only by experienced green-thumbers. Learn how to grow them the easy way first – then graduate to planting from seed after you have gained some experience. In the greenhouse seed is sown in January so that there will be a … Read more
The star magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) is one of the best magnolias – especially for use on a small property. Its early spring flowers, dense habit of growth and unmarred dark green foliage throughout the growing season, climaxed by a beautiful bronze autumn color, make it of ornamental interest every season of the year. It is … Read more
Today’s greatest gardening bargain is a packet of zinnia seeds. From it, you’ll get specialty shop style and big box store dependability both at a cut-rate price. For a galaxy of color from July until frost, zinnias are unsurpassed. Despite drought, disease, and insects that might overpower other plants, they thrive in almost any soil. … Read more
Roses may be cut by gardeners seven months of the year in the general area referred to as the moist Pacific Northwest. Two weeks without rain brings out newspaper notices concerning the “drought” conditions. Winters are frequently so mild that planting operations continue from November until March without interruption. A famed visitor from Northern Ireland, … Read more