What have plant breeders in the three prairie provinces of Canada achieved in combining the quality of the best fruit varieties with the hardiness required for the severe winters of the northern tier of states and the blizzard country of the American middle west? As a Saskatchewan nurseryman and amateur plant breeder, I naturally believe … Read more
Dear Editor—Recently, I came upon a natural woodland planting of Pink LadySlippers and became so taken with them that I removed some and transplanted them in various spots in my garden. Later, I was advised to move all my newly acquired plants to areas in the garden that would provide partial shelter from the sun … Read more
The hardy perennial question is what to do with houseplants while the owners are away. However, I discovered that it is actually possible to have the plants watered by the absentee, capillary method—possible and effective! Capillary Method Here’s what you need to do. Place the plants on the kitchen counter, table, or floor; even the … Read more
As I remember the old nursery tale, the ugly duckling emerged in the spring as a lovely swan after a winter spent in loneliness because of his unattractive plumage. Orchids, like ugly ducklings, will never win any prizes for graceful foliage, but an orchid in bloom is a sight to quicken the pulses. At such … Read more
Last autumn, I was privileged to watch Nature put on an act in our rock garden. It had nothing to do with gardening, yet, it was a fascinating performance. On a large rock under the big pine, a pendant swayed gently in the late September sun; a shining black cable supported the object. Cool green … Read more
My appetite had been piqued! The cattleya plant I bought for five dollars the year before had given me two handsome orchids with a minimum of care while sitting on my kitchen window sill. What other orchid would grow in the house? A reliable dealer suggested Lycaste aromatica, not as big or showy as the … Read more
Here are the favorite African violet varieties: 1st AWARD: Joe Schultz Most men bitten by the African violet hug favor robust-type plants like Du Ponts, Supremes, and Amazons. I, too, favor varieties with heavy substance; however, because of their stinginess of bloom, only one plant in this category qualifies for one of my favorite five. … Read more
Flowers every day of the year? Yes, it’s possible in a home greenhouse, whether you are a beginner or an advanced specialist. All that is necessary is to select those plants which grow well together – the only thing that will limit you is the size of your greenhouse. Over the years, greenhouse men have … Read more
The ceropegia are an interesting family of plants from Africa and, to a lesser extent, Asia and Malaya. Their name is from the Greek words meaning wax and fountain. It seems incredible that they belong to the same family as the milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae) until one sees the long, pointed seed pods and the winged seeds. … Read more
With summer waning and the long winter months looming ahead, you’re no doubt anxious to start the seed collected from catalogs over the summer. For fortunate gardeners like myself, a greenhouse presents no problem other than gathering enough soil to last the winter, for we can plant our seed anytime. Greenhouses are inexpensive as hobbies … Read more