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
To grow roses in the arid Southwest, irrigation must be practiced. In some sections, such as from Laredo to Brownsville along the Rio Grande or in the Salt River area of Arizona near Phoenix, rose flowers can be had almost the entire year. In these areas, the period of frost danger is seldom more than … Read more
Summary: Growing roses in the south can be very rewarding. A long rose growing season and lots of blooms. But, growing rose bushes, climbing roses, trees, in pots or whatever rose type and form tickles your fancy does come with some “essentials” – Insect Prevention is one of the essentials. When growing roses in the south, careful planting … Read more
Pruning to keep rose plants healthy and productive are matters of importance to all of us who take pleasure in growing roses. Once the why of it all is understood, the how of it is simplified. Why Prune Rose Bushes? The purpose of pruning is to make plants grow as you wish them to. Perhaps … Read more