The French have a way of interpreting certain most delightful words; hence, to them, the moccasin flower is Sabot-de-LaNierge, or”our lady’s slipper.” In old English, it was “our lady’s shoes” and was said to have “knobby a root creeping in the ripper crust of the earth.” In both the European and American varieties, the root … Read more
Summer is here, and with it, the garden’s soul-satisfying abundance of luscious color, graceful and varied form, and delectable fragrance! But whether the garden is a highly intensified development within a few square feet of space, or a leisurely, expansive series of plantings encompassing acres, perforce. One fact remains true: the beauty of any garden … Read more
Climbing roses are not only magnificent in bloom but versatile as well. No matter how small your garden or backyard is, there is always room for at least one climbing rose. They can adorn the side of a garage, be espaliered against a chimney, used as a screen for a porch, or trained on an … Read more
A specimen of the dove tree, Davidia involucrata, a native of Western China, grows on top of Bussey Hilt at the Arnold Arboretum in the rather poor, stony soil of a well-drained area. This handsome tree has large, bright-green leaves and hears conspicuous flowers with beautiful, creamy-white bracts that look like petals. Since there is … Read more
If we were to set a handsome dinner table with cans and bottles of food, taking care that the shapes of the containers and the colors of the labels were arranged for hue and design, and then solemnly dub this arrangement “The American Dinner,” it would be a pretty silly thing. To me, it seems … Read more
After seeing the enticing roses pictured on the cover and the pages of our Home Garden Guide to Roses, have you decided to grow at least a few rose bushes in your garden this year? Or have you always admired roses but refrained from growing them because you thought it was difficult? Roses are not … Read more
Here in California, where our mild climate permits it, our outdoor living season is not restricted to the few months of summer but may, in some years, extend from the middle of April to the middle of October. Our patio, as all outdoor living rooms are firmly called in California, whether they are truly patios … Read more
Taking up little space, but enjoying a front seat in a south window, the South American Oxalis brasiliensis makes a lovely pot plant. Many oxalis tend to recline or droop, but this is a neat-appearing plant with upright leaf stems 4” or 5” inches high. Its trifoliate, shamrocklike leaves are barely an inch wide on … Read more
Intriguing little “Birds of Paradise” can easily be made from the dried seed pods of Proboscidea jussieui, the unicorn plant, or devil’s claw. Carefully remove the pod from the main stock, making sure to take at least 1/2″ inch of the stock from above and below the joint to form the bird’s head. Remove the … Read more
It is hard to imagine how Ed Steffek, POPULAR GARDENING’S Horticultural Editor, found the time to write a new book, but that is just what he has cloned. Summing up his years of study and practical experience in a form that can be assimilated and put to use by the veriest beginner in gardening. Using … Read more