Birds are most desirable in the garden for their unique insect and weed seed destruction powers. That does not mean they should be welcome to the gardener’s laboriously tended crop of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes! However, the latest studies on wildlife preferences for foods among the fruiting plants make it clear that by … Read more
Most plants grow on me slowly. I look at a few and say, “That’s for me!” That is the way I felt about bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae). Given the conditions it likes, the bird of paradise grows rapidly, the shiny banana-like leaves spreading out like a fan. Ten to 12 leaves develop before a bloom appears, … Read more
Make your garden an outdoor living room.” This is the contemporary designer’s clarion call which heralds what is termed the new trend in garden art today. And a ghostly gardener might, from some roof garden, some sun-warmed terrace or patio wall, send a whispered echoing question, “How new?” The outdoor room of today is but … Read more
Laying up the rocks for a rock garden is probably too complex a subject for a short article. Besides, the subject has been covered fairly well in standard books which are available from libraries. But, whereas the books are likely to emphasize what must be accomplished in this direction, indeed, they tread a little light … Read more
If our flowers are to remain alive and beautiful as long as possible, they must have a supply of food. A cut flower is essentially a flowering plant without roots, and therefore its only food supply is the sugars already stored in the leaves and stems. Since the plant produces this sugar during daylight hours, … Read more
The chaparral yucca (Yucca whipplei) grows for many years as a hemisphere of sharp spines (Spanish bayonet), then some spring days, a large shoot rises 10’ to 20’ feet in a period of two or three weeks, blooms, and dies. For some years, I have been photographing these magnificent plants near my cabin at Chilao … Read more
Nicholas Culpepper, the 17th-century herbalist, said of plums: “All plains are under Venus and are like women—some better and some worse.” The better kinds are sweet, richly flavored, and choice morsels to put in one’s mouth. But, on the other hand, the poorest, and many of them, are not fit to eat. Many species and … Read more
Peonies head my list of worthwhile perennials which prefer fall planting. They are always such appealing subjects, from the time the bright red shoots appear in spring until heavy with superb blooms in May and June, that I rejoice in living in a part of the country where they grow and flower well. Fortunately, it … Read more
In recent years no evergreen has enjoyed a greater rise in popularity than the adaptable and versatile yew. For home gardens, both large and small, in the cold and warm sections of the country, yews have become an indispensable part of the landscape picture. If they were to be eliminated from all the evergreens, a … Read more
The consensus is that our Gulf Stream heating system went askew this year, giving us a tough winter and a delayed spring. But now all seems to be “in the groove” again, and we hope the “spree” won’t be repeated. Almost up the East Coast, roses, bearded iris, and Oriental poppies normally show signs of … Read more