Growing The Friendly Fritillaria Guinea Hen Flower

Chess flower (Fritillaria)

It isn’t easy to imagine a more varied, more interesting, or pleasing lot of plants than is embraced in the genus Fritillaria aka Chess flower. The books tell us there are more than 70 distinct species, and some of these, like the checkered Lily flower and the Crown Imperial, are further divided into several named … Read more

16 Spring Flowering Bulbs: What You Should Know About Them

Spring flowering Crocus bulbs

The flowers that bloom in the spring, like golden daffodils and grape-hyacinths won’t bloom in the spring if the bulbs are not planted in the fall. Below are some Spring Flowering Bulbs along with bloom time info, planting tips and suggestions. Crocus Blooming Time: Early spring Height: 4″-6” inches  Depth and Distance Apart: 3″ deep; 3″ … Read more

Growing Daffodils Outdoors In A Weekend Garden

Blooming Daffodils in the garden

Years ago, our family acquired a weekend house in the Tidewater area of Virginia. It was a small, early eighteenth-century brick cottage surrounded by a wilderness of weeds, honeysuckle, tawny daylilies, and an almost-as-big-as-the-house American pillar rose which sheltered groundhog holes under its thorny tangle.  Several lilac bushes and patches of iris foliage among the … Read more

The Scilla Flower – Brave Little Plants

blooming Scilla bulbs

These brave little plants often endure the hardships of wind, rain, and late snow to forge their way into the Spring landscape. For most of us, there are but two species of scillas: Scilla sibirica and Scilla campanulata. But more than 80 species have been classified, and 30 or more species and varieties are commercially … Read more

Winter Protection of Roses

home with rose bushes planted out front

The Winter care and protection of roses concern the condition of the plants, the severity of the weather, and the methods and materials supplied by the gardener. Preparation of the plant for Winter conditions is the first step. As early as August, new fast-growing basal shoots should be topped to check their rapid growth and … Read more

Growing Ixia Flowers In The North

Ixia flowers in hand

Ixias are great favorites on the Southern Pacific coast, where climatic conditions closely approximate their native home in South Africa. There are about 25 sorts found in the Cape of Good Hope area and possibly more. In California, they have no rivals in popularity among the late Spring-blooming bulbs after the crocuses and freesias have … Read more

Spring-Flowering Bulbs – Plant Early or Wait?

Spring flowering bulb crocus

Question: Which of the Spring flowering bulbs must be put in early, and which can wait until later? Answer: All the narcissi, species and varieties, and the small bulbs, such as crocus, snowdrops, scillas, chionodoxas, and grape hyacinths must be planted early – in September – or early October to make root development before cold … Read more

Gardenia Jasminoides Care

Fragrant bloom of the Gardenia jasminoides plant

Gardenia jasminoides (gar-DEEN-ya jaz-min-OY-deez), sometimes referred to as common gardenia or cape jasmine plant, is native to Southeastern Asia. It ranges from Southern China and Japan to India and Bangladesh. There are two camps of flower enthusiasts: those who prefer low-maintenance plants those who will go the extra mile for high maintenance plants Gardenia jasminoides … Read more

How To Grow and Care For Fleabane Daisy Plants

Fleabane Daisy - Erigeron

Erigeron is a genus of perennials from the daisy family. People often mistake the colorful Erigeron flowers for true daisies or their close cousins Asters. Click on this article to learn more on growing Fleabane daisy.

What Causes Yellow Leaves On Gardenia Plants?

Gardenia leaves yellowing from iron deficiency

Most of us growing Gardenia jasminoides and other varieties look forward to their intoxicating fragrance. The flowers of many Gardenia varieties look like creamy white roses. Plus the Gardenia shrub is a beautiful plant. But, there are times when growing this acid-loving plant we see leaf yellowing. The green leaves show their nutrient deficiency, pests … Read more