Show dates have to be set well in advance, and, of course, they are always set based on “average” weather conditions in the vicinity. It’s only natural, then, that whenever “Old Man Weather” decides to change his scheme of things, a show suffers rather drastically, especially as regards exhibits from nearby growers. That’s just what … Read more
Fall is a good time to plant fruits. Trees and bushes set out during the autumn months will start growth early the following spring—just as soon as weather conditions are favorable and usually before it is feasible to do any spring planting. Thus, fruits planted in the fall get off to a quicker start and … Read more
All woody plants have a regular sequence of bloom. Whether they are growing in Florida, California, Massachusetts, or Illinois, this sequence is always the same and can be depended upon from year to year. The redbud always blooms with the flowering dogwood, and the pink shell azalea always blooms with the lilacs, regardless of where … Read more
The most promising chestnuts for the United States are the Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) which are blight-resistant. While their nuts are not quite as large as the European chestnuts shipped here in the fall, their flavor is considered better. Chinese chestnuts make interesting lawn trees. However, if nuts are desired, there should be two or … Read more
One of the largest nuts native to the United States is the `McCallister’ hican found in 1890 in southern Indiana. A natural hybrid between a pecan and shellbark hickory, the `McCallister,’ like other hicans, is propagated by grafting on pecan or hickory seedlings. Hican (pronounced HICK-an) trees have been found in nine states (Illinois, Indiana, … Read more
Peonies are so hardy, and durable. and long-lived that they usually get along with no attention at all. Reasons for Not Blooming Well But you can help yours have better flowers. If they aren’t blooming well, check this list of possible reasons: • Not enough sun (they like it all day) • Newly transplanted (need … Read more
Ask any experienced gardener what he considers one of the most useful groups of garden plants, and he will probably reply, “dwarf shrubs.” New houses, whether traditional or contemporary in design, are low and sprawling, often on one level. Landscaping for these houses requires dwarf shrubs, along with some moderate-growing kinds. Terraces and patios, walls … Read more
The fall of the year, with its cooler weather and more frequent rains, provides perfect conditions for planting trees and shrubs. With the quick pace of spring and the heat of summer now past, we can look forward with renewed zest to our gardening activities, with emphasis on planting. The choice of trees and shrubs … Read more
In last month’s column, we discussed one of the members of that small, select group of trees that bear their ornamental flowers during summer. In this issue, we will consider another member of the same group, one that blooms in August. While quite different from the golden rain tree of July, it is nonetheless equally … Read more
Bush form is the simplest and most common style for fuchsias. The bush may be small or large, but it is always kept compact and uniform. To produce a small bush, start when the plant is young and pinch out the centers of all growing tips as soon as they make two sets of leaves. … Read more