Our grandmothers grew pots of amaryllis and their grandmothers before them. Sometimes, even the grandfathers did. It is so ancient a custom that one may wonder which was the original pot plant, amaryllis or geranium. But they have not always been common. Amaryllis Rutila The first amaryllis I ever saw was probably Amaryllis rutila. Later, … Read more
Plants with unusual leaves have always held a strange fascination for me and I find they are also greatly admired by others. In the window garden, where plants are seen at close range, leaves that are different have great appeal. For several years, the dieffenbachia, in all its varieties, has been found not only in … Read more
Ferns seem to me to be in the neglected bracket, at least when considered as house plants. These few words, with the pictures, will, I hope, serve to remove them from this class. Ferns Are Adaptable While these plants have no bloom, make no mistake about the color added to any home where a fern … Read more
The iris family includes several fascinating members well worth growing in the greenhouse. Whenever there is room. We like to have some Wedgwood, White Excelsior, and Golden Harvest for cutting. These should be planted now (November) for flowering from midwinter on. The blooms give a delicate touch of color to mixed bouquets and are especially … Read more
Few if any flowering plants surpass the beauty of a gloxinia. The large, erect, bell-shaped flowers have a richness and variety of colors that make them superb. Even the gloxinia foliage is magnificent—large green leaves with a soft furry texture, beautifully formed and well placed on the plant. When in full flower, hybrid gloxinias are … Read more
Speaking strictly as an amateur, I would like to give some words of encouragement to gardeners who have not yet succeeded in growing African violets. Do not be discouraged by 1 or 2 or even more failures because these plants are delicate to handle, especially for any distance, though easy to grow once they are settled … Read more
Rubber plants are great and easy indoor plants. While they are low-maintenance and do not require much to thrive, you may notice your rubber plant leaves drooping and yellowing. This normally happens if you overwater or underwater the plant, have pests infecting it, or even over-fertilize it. It is a time when your rubber plant … Read more
If you would like to attain the reputation of being a particularly successful window gardener, grow the gorgeous Dutch hybrid amaryllis. One bowl or even 10 of these spectacular, tropical bulbs arranged along a window sill, with their huge scarlet, white, orange, or pink blossoms silhouetted against the snow outside, is a dramatic sight — … Read more
I first saw Fittonia verschaffeltii pearcei several years ago in a conservatory. Its olive-green foliage and red veins intrigued me, and I began searching the catalogs for a source. At last, I was the proud possessor of a plant but knew nothing of its care. Caring For Fittonia Verschaffeltii Pearcei I did not give it … Read more
Every indoor plant enthusiast can recall being tempted into trying one of the many house plants requiring greenhouse conditions, only to find that no care can prevent rather sudden death. For many who own their homes, a greenhouse is an eventual answer. Greenhouses today can be fitted into almost anyone’s budget. Greenhouse gardening, however, is … Read more