At the same time that spring-flowering trees are adding spectacular beauty to a garden picture, their tree foams accent the mass-like shape of bushes in the shrubbery border, planted near the house or in the garden. Their different forms tend to pull a design together rather than crowd it, as often happens when too many … Read more
Allamanda (al-uh-MAN-da) is a perennial flowering plant commonly pruned into an evergreen shrub that belongs to the genus Allamanda and is a member of the family Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee). The genus Allamanda was named after Dr. Frederick Allamand, a Swiss botanist. This evergreen creeping shrub is native to the tropical regions of South and Central America … Read more
The passionflower is a delicate, perennial flowering vine known for its deep-lobbed flower. Its Latin name is Passiflora incarnata, pronounced as [pass-iff-FLOR-uh] [in-kar-NAH-tuh]. The Passifloraceae [pas-ih-flor-AY-see-ee] family is native to the Americas, thriving in tropical regions. Passionflowers can also be referred to as: Passiflora (botanical name) Passion vines Apricot Vine Maypop Stinking Passionflower Bush passion … Read more
The lilac tree, or common lilac, is a species of a perennial flowering multi-stemmed tiny tree that belongs to the Oleaceae family, which is the family of olive shrubs. The plant is originally native to the rocky hills of the Balkan Peninsula, which include parts of modern-day Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, etc. … Read more
Nothing adds more charm to the outside of a house than floral trimming. The present-day revival of interest in window box gardening promises much in the way of decoration. Modern homes, especially, will find their functional lines softened and tied to the landscape by using flower- or greenery-filled window boxes. There is nothing new about … Read more
Agave (a-GAH-vee) is a perennial succulent that’s native to Mexico. It’s found in arid regions in the Caribbean and the Americas. The genus Agave, of the family Asparagaceae, contains over 200 species. Most of these species have a wide range of economical importance. Agave americana is one of the most popular species, commonly known as: … Read more
Yews have more than proven their value in American gardens during the past century. It is doubtful if any other conifers are so generally useful in such a wide range of situations. Since the two species native to North America – Canada yew and western yew (Taxus canadensis and Taxus brevifolia, respectively) are not particularly … Read more
When it comes to flowers, none can more adequately fill this need than tall bearded iris. Only a few clumps of Iris in the landscape design strategically placed are required to put on a “show” in a small garden in late May and early June. It is not without reason that tall bearded iris have … Read more
In selecting plants for decorative winter effects, do not limit your list to evergreens. Several deciduous trees and shrubs are outstanding for their beauty in winter. One of these, Tatarian dogwood, Cornus alba, has bright red or purplish branches which stand out with great effectiveness in the winter sunshine. This shrub dogwood is a member … Read more
Stone walls are among the most striking and picturesque features of the Irish landscape. Yet, their charm is only incidental since their purpose is utilitarian. These walls vary in age from the ancient ones of abbeys and tower castles to recent ones marking boundaries of small farms. And from county to county, they vary in … Read more