Some gardeners like rose-of-Sharon and those who do not. The latter complain that its foliage does not appear until quite late in spring and is not exceptional in fall. The heavy seed capsules, unless cut off, weigh the branches down unattractively. Self-sown seedlings, they point out, are a nuisance and do not produce plants identical … Read more
August is a favorable month for the vegetative propagation of many kinds of plants. Layering – rooting a section of a plant in the earth while it is still attached to the mother plant is a sure method that requires no expensive equipment. Rhododendrons may take a year and a half to 2 years, but … Read more
Usually, shrubs for the home grounds are chosen for beauty, fitness, diversified attractions, or mere serviceability. But the Korean spice viburnum appeals more directly to our affections titan to our aesthetic or practical sense. It has little beauty of foliage and no decorative fruit or prominent autumn color. It just holds out, early in May, … Read more
Seventeen years ago, I decided to grow blueberries. Several hundred large shrubs were obtained and successfully transplanted. Root System The plants were cut into six-inch stubs to send all the strength possible into the root system. The first year’s growth was excellent, with each bush recovering about half the normal size. For the second year, … Read more
August is the time to meet your needs in the perennial border for next year. Seed sown now will develop into blooming-sized plants by the next season in most cases, although some varieties require 2 or more years to develop before flowering. Examples of these are: Making A Seed Bed In making a seed bed, … Read more
Locating a house on a slope with outcroppings of rock offers a challenge to any gardener who enjoys working with plants that can be adapted to such a setting. Sprawling Plants To Cover Slopes Low, spreading junipers and yews, Daphne eneoruni, pieris, leucothoc, azaleas, and dwarf species of rhododendrons together with evergreen ground covers are … Read more
The fragrance is a blessing after the long winter months. But, then, even the smell of the good earth is ionic to the real dirt gardener. However, the sweet scent of the early spring flowers is the harbinger of exciting pleasures to come, the enjoyment only a gardener with an educated nose can fully appreciate. … Read more
Have you hesitated to improve your soil with garbage or manure because of the odor, insects, and bothersome turning and watering that may accompany attempts to compost it? If that has been the case, you may find a method of composting manure or any good compost makings that solves all of these problems and is … Read more
August is usually our hottest, the driest month. We assume it will be so this year. Our most important job is to continue our maintenance programs of watering, weeding, and spraying. We hope to have our lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees in good condition to enter the fall season when we expect relief from heat … Read more
August may well be dubbed “Lily month” in the garden since the heaviest blooming period of some of the new garden aristocrats comes during this month. On the other hand, those that flowered during June and July need attention to ensure the next season’s bloom. In addition, many incidental chores need to be taken care … Read more