While enjoying the summer garden, there is a chance to correct omissions or mistakes in the landscape that may have been overlooked during the heavy planting season in spring. One of these landscape additions might be the right fence or screen. Just as there are two sides to a fence, two major reasons exist for … Read more
The buddleias, or butterfly-bushes, popular plants in the North, came from Asia. Although generally classed as rather coarse shrubs, they are now widely planted because of their pleasing color range. One factor that has made them undesirable until recently is restricted spaces with their rampant growth. I have found only one kind dependably hard, as … Read more
Anything Dr. Donald Wyman or Dr. John C. Wister wrote about lilacs is worth reading carefully, for few have had as much experience with the lilac as it grows in the Eastern half of this continent as these two men. While differences in personal taste are evident in their preferences for varieties, any lilac that … Read more
These words will be read at the beginning of the fall planting season, so it may be good to consider some improvements in the spring garden, which can be made by planting well-chosen shrubs in the fall. At the outset, however, I must emphasize that only shrubs that have matured and are fit for moving … Read more
With everyone looking for the “new” plants, we often overlook some of our best ones that have been in nurseries for years. This is especially true of shrubs. There are dozens of kinds that are among the most reliable yet are all too seldom used. Cornelian Cherry One of the oldest in years of cultivation … Read more
Fatshedera, sometimes called tree ivy, is a plant of hybrid origin, resulting from a cross between Fatsia japonica, a small native Japanese tree, and our familiar English ivy, Hedera helix. A handsome upright ivy, which lends itself graciously to home decoration, is available in many greenhouses and florists’ shops throughout the country. Offered for the … Read more
Only yesterday, the area behind the house was called “the backyard “—succinctly, graphically, and perhaps disparagingly. Today it might be designated “the back garden” were it not that it has become so much more than that. We have added new dimensions required by outdoor living, in which all the family indulges. We have improved play … Read more
You might have come across the Bald Cypress, a deciduous conifer that can adapt to various environments. These trees have a unique root system, are resistant to drought, and boast durable wood, making them a valuable addition to any landscape. Key Takeaways The Bald Cypress: A Deciduous Conifer Adaptable to various environments The Bald Cypress … Read more
There are a number of interesting and useful edible fruits that are not commonly grown in gardens. Although they have little or no commercial value, they are unusual for their flavors and culinary uses. Most have no serious insect or disease troubles, and some can tolerate lower winter temperatures and drier conditions than our common … Read more
When the frost-tinged air starts blowing in from the North, it’s time to start digging the glads, dahlias, tigridias, tuberoses, and other tender bulbs, corms, and roots that need to be stored inside over winter. Just where to store them is always a problem. Most modern homes are not equipped with old-fashioned vegetable storage rooms, … Read more