More beautiful than colorful herbaceous plants, as easy to cultivate as common perennials, more prodigal of flowers, except during the few months when it sinks into its winter’s rest, the Achimenes is an invaluable gift to everyone who has a warm greenhouse. “Mr. Hartweg found it growing wild in the ravines of Guatemala, and sent … Read more
Cardiocrinum giganteum is one of the largest and most spectacular of all lilies. It grows to 10’ feet or more and bears as many as 20 to 30 blooms to the stem. The flowers are semi-pendulous trumpets, about 8” inches long, white with purplish-red striping inside. The large glossy leaves average about 15” inches across. … Read more
When it comes to Rhododendrons, amateur gardeners are eager to learn various techniques for growing these plants. Methods of increase are cuttings, air layering, grafting, layering, and raising plants from seed. Except for grafting, these methods can work for the home gardener who wants to increase his stock of choice kinds. For the specialist, the … Read more
Peek into the gardens of landscape designers and expert gardeners, and you’re sure to see at least one of the hellebores. Why? Simple. These long-lived perennials have handsome evergreen leaves. Several varieties unfold lovely flowers during the bleak winter months, and their culture is easy. Give hellebores a permanent, partially shaded home in deeply dug … Read more
There is such a vast difference in the beauty and habits of various camellias that the home gardener who has “got the bug” should have some help before they start collecting them. The camellia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. It bears single, semidouble, or fully double flowers in white, pink, red, and … Read more
Although the name “Perennial” connotes permanence, we must admit that many perennials fit the classification in varying degrees. Some kinds are anything but enduring unless pampered or sprayed relentlessly. Others bloom themselves to death and fade away. Yet many persevere, and these are the subject of our present concern. In early spring, the curious reddish … Read more
All too often, rose catalogs use the word “hardy” to describe roses that are not capable of surviving the average northern winter without careful protection. That is why so many gardeners decide that they cannot grow them. They buy roses that die in the winter, and the conclusion is that in their area, roses are … Read more
Despite being arguably the single most popular garden plant in the world, growing roses can be a real pain (and we’re not talking about the thorns). Not only are they very demanding, but garden pests also seem to find them every bit as attractive as humans do. Of the many pests that will attack your … Read more
Lady or Martha Washington Geraniums might well be called the azalea-flowered geraniums because they rival azaleas in color, flower form, and brilliance. Some varieties of these showy geraniums (classified as Pelargonium domesticum) surpass the azaleas in the array of color combinations found in their showy umbels of bloom. However, they also rival the pansy in this respect. The … Read more
Summary: The well-known bedding Geranium is immune to most insect pests. Its round, velvety, scented foliage is attractive with brilliant long-lasting flowers, is an excellent potted plant. There are many different geraniums grown under the name – Pelargoniums. Below we’ve assembled some answers to questions in growing and caring for the lovely geranium. Question: How is geranium … Read more