If you are a gardener whose rose horizon is widening, you are ready to consider the old roses—the ideal background for your collection of moderns. Here they will add the perfect note of elegance and quaintness, terms which have become synonymous with the inherent beauty of the old-fashioned roses. If you are wondering if some … Read more
Of course, you can! Like most gardeners, you have probably always restricted your planting to fall, but if you fail to get your peonies into the ground or if there is some variety you want “right now,” our advice is: Go ahead! They can not only be planted when spring is in the air but … Read more
Anemone Coronaria (ah-NEM-oh-nee kor-oh-NAR-ee-ah), also known as Poppy Anemone, is a herbaceous flowering perennial that belongs to the genus Anemone and from the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is one of the five Anemone species, together with the following: Anemone hortensis L. Anemone palmata L. Anemone pavonina Lam. Anemone somaliensis Hepper These flowering bulbs are native … Read more
For two months out of the year, December and January, my delphiniums let me rest. The remainder of the time, they keep me busy. Mostly Pacific hybrids bloom their last by late October, and the bulk of their stalks are cut back. November sees the rest of the stalks removed and sand scattered about the … Read more
Amaryllis belladonna (am-ah-RIL-lis bel-ah-DON-nah), also known as Belladonna Lily, is a perennial summer-flowering bulb that belongs to the genus Amaryllis and from the Amaryllidaceae family. It is one of the two Amaryllis genus species and is considered a true Amaryllis. It is not to be confused with the common Amaryllis from the unrelated genus Hippeastrum, … Read more
Over a century ago, the word “rhododendron” was a name touched with magic, conjuring up images of mansions framed in priceless shrubberies, the utmost in beauty and exclusiveness. Today that magic is slowly fading from the name. What has happened? A wild shrub, Rhododendron maximum, with leaves resembling garden rhododendrons but with ungraceful stalks and … Read more
“How do you grow roses good enough to win the Nicholson Bowl?” This question was frequently put to Edward Sima of Seattle, Washington, who won the most coveted prize of rosedom at the national meeting of the American Rose Society back in 1951. One glance at the perfect form, good color, large size, strong stems, … Read more
Even though fall is months away, it’s not too soon to start working for top-quality chrysanthemums to brighten up borders or foundation plantings. Chasing Perfection Regardless of the number of plants grown, or whether the grower is a mum specialist or not, the aim should be for the best flowers possible. Quality blooms are more … Read more
The Pacific Northwest is natural rhododendron country. In that narrow belt along the Pacific slope running from Vancouver and Victoria to San Francisco, the winters are tempered by warm waters. The air is moist year-round, there is very little extreme summer heat, and the soil is naturally acid. All this adds up to a perfect … Read more
Here’s an iris that tells time! At three o’clock every day from late July to frost, the 2″ inch flowers open into colorful gems of blue, lavender, or wine color, some enhanced by orange, mahogany, or tyrian markings on the attractive falls. Bigger And Better By careful crossing and selection, the height of the vesper … Read more