In the one-acre garden of Mrs. G. C. Shackelford at Columbus, Georgia, there are over 150 camellias that have been collected and cared for over the years. Some older plants are 6’ to 7’ feet tall and as much as 6’ feet through. They are planted along Mrs. Shackelford’s property’s boundaries and balanced along the … Read more
Mimosa pudica is a short-lived perennial or spiny annual belonging to the Mimosa genus and a member of the Fabaceae or the Legume, bean, or pea family. The Fabaceae is a large family of economically important flowering plants, comprising 670 genera and about 20,000 perennial or annual herbaceous plants, shrubs, herbs, and trees. This makes … Read more
Rhododendron atlanticum or Dwarf Azalea is a species of Rhododendron from the Ericaceae, commonly known as the Heaths or Heather family. The Ericaceae family has over 4,000 species of flowering plants in 126 genera distributed virtually worldwide, ranging from small alpine herbs and shrubs to large tropical trees. This makes Rhododendron atlanticum closely related to … Read more
So familiar are lilacs in the dooryards of old houses that we are likely to assume this beloved shrub is a native of England or America. Yet the very name, lilac, is foreign, a Persian adaptation from the Arabic, and the original home of our commonly grown Syringa vulgaris is probably half a world away. … Read more
The two roses in my garden that most often hold the attention of rose lovers or other visitors are the dainty beauties Rosa rouletti and the blended-color polyantha called Baby Doll or Tip Top. Both are hardy, appealing in color, form, and size, easily grown, and not difficult to increase by cuttings. Rosa Rouletti Rosa … Read more
If you’re planning to decorate your space with a favored plant during the Christmas holidays, Euphorbia fulgens is the one for you! Also referred to as Scarlet Plume, it is a lax, deciduous shrub belonging to the genus Euphorbia and a member of Euphorbiaceae, also known as the Spurge family. The Euphorbiaceae family is a … Read more
Erythrina is a genus of plants with over 130 species of shrubs, herbaceous plants, and red flowering trees distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It’s a member of the Fabaceae, also called Leguminosae, but most commonly known as the bean, legume, or pea family. The Fabaceae family comprises about 20,000 species and 700 genera … Read more
If you are an old-time, conservative horticulturist, you will probably choke at the thought of the native western chokecherry. Prunus virginiana demissa, is a very worthwhile shrub or small tree. You’ll say, “Oh no, not that, chokecherry takes the place.” I do not think it does. After five years of observing several clumps of 15-year-old … Read more
If space is at a premium in your garden, try espaliering. This is an old French method of training small trees and shrubs against a wall or fence in a flat pattern. Not only do such plants make the most of every inch of space, but they are decorative as well— and the protection of … Read more
How do you provide privacy, variation, and color in the small garden? How do you plan for a small patio and living area, a children’s play area, a place for laundry and garbage cans, and space for a vegetable and cutting garden all in the small backyard? These are questions frequently asked by the small … Read more