Not all of our “Best” ornamentals come from the Orient; this beautiful native American rose is proof of that. A native from Newfoundland to Virginia and westward to Missouri, this rose will grow almost anywhere if a reasonable amount of nutrients and moisture are in the soil. When roses are mentioned, many gardeners think only … Read more
Many kinds of climbing roses are available today. These include eight classes of types (ramblers, large-flowered climbers, pillars, everblooming climbers, climbing hybrid teas, climbing polyanthus, climbing floribundas, and trailing roses), each represented by wide varieties. Climbing roses, as we know them today, form a recent group. The oldest class, dating back to 1895 in this … Read more
During the centuries, the rose has reigned as the queen of flowers. Several distinct types have attained popularity, each, in its turn, considered the acme of rose perfection. Yet, many of the original species of roses and old favorites possess desirable attributes not found in the modern varieties. If their assets were more widely known, … Read more
One of the twentieth century’s miracles is the progress made in scientific plant breeding. Unattractive color, shape, or texture in a flower that is good in other respects are no longer irremediable defects. Still, a challenge to the hybridist to produce a plant in which the desirable qualities of another plant replace the undesirable features. … Read more
Just as each year the consumer looks forward to new models in automobiles, TV sets, refrigerators, etc., the gardener looks forward to the introduction of the new “models” in roses. Since 1850, not a year has gone by without a crop of new roses improved in form, color, disease resistance, and usefulness. Adaptive Old and … Read more
You will be surprised to learn, perhaps, that you may still purchase and grow roses that were brought to Europe from the Holy Lands by the crusaders; or that you may even possess, for less than the cost of the latest hybrid tea roses that Josephine Bonaparte herself grew in her garden at Malmaison! A … Read more
Planting Procedure For African Violet Cuttings Mouse Ear African Violets In a few more weeks, tiny “mouse-ear” African violet leaves will push their way up from the roots at the base of the stem. Each of these first leaves is the beginning of a new plant. Continue to keep the soil moist and the pot … Read more
Zinnias are one of the most underappreciated garden staples out there. Depending on the species, you can grow these beautiful annuals from the inhospitable USDA hardiness zone 2 to the southern zone 11. They’re also excellent self-seeders, meaning you can have them come back year after year by letting the bloom fade. But zinnias have … Read more
The gardener who knows how and which plants to shear, and is not afraid to cut, will have a neater garden and often a second crop of blossoms, sometimes a third. Is your annual sweet alyssum looking seedy and untidy? Shear about an inch off the top—enough to remove the seeds. For continuous bloom, some … Read more
There are literally hundreds of different kinds of Ludy, herbaceous perennial flowers which may be grown in our gardens. Because some of these require considerable maintenance—special attention of one kind or another—these plants as a group have been lumped together by some gardeners as being difficult or impossible in today’s plantings. The truth is that … Read more