If ERNEST H. WILSON, the Arnold Arboretum’s famous plant hunter, were alive today he would be about 140 years old. In the 80+ years which have elapsed since the date of his untimely death, he would have seen scores of the plants introduced by him from China and neighboring countries finding their way rapidly into … Read more
There’s nothing new about this cutting box – it’s not even my design. What amazes me is that people can keep plants without them or something like it. It has dozens of uses for germinating, propagating, and nursing ailing plants. It is simple to make, pleasant to look at, handy to have around, and costs … Read more
What trees will you choose for your lawn? Where will you plant them? Before ordering trees, consider how much space you have and how much they will grow. Once set out, they are hard to move, and a handsome tree should have room to develop with minimum pruning. Summer shade may be your primary purpose, … Read more
Give yourself a garden treat next summer – grow sweet peas! Despite anything you may have read to the contrary, sweet peas are easy to grow and graciously rewarding. Unfortunately, overemphasis on cultural directions for exhibitors and experts has led gardeners to believe that growing sweet peas is complicated. This is far from the truth. … Read more
One of the most ornamental and functional vines where a close screen or shade is desired is the wild cucumber or balsam apple (Echinocystis lobata). Its rapid growth, as much as 10′ or 12′ feet a season, large leaves, and clusters of small greenish-white flowers followed by unusual fruit make it desirable. Native to North … Read more
You know the saying, an Englishman’s home is his castle. That is true. It is equally valid that an Englishman’s garden is the castle’s outer territory of defense which must be kept private and intact. No neighbor must enter it uninvited. No neighbor, if he can be prevented, must even see it. If there is … Read more
I was first bitten by the insidious camellia bug 16 years ago. My wife was responsible. She asked me to drive her to Charleston, S.C., to get a debutante. Until then, I had thought a debutante was a well-bred young woman about to make her bow to society. As our son was just 2 years … Read more
The eucalyptus thrives in Florida and southern or central California, but winter kills in Atlanta, Ga. The strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, can be found in Atlanta but not in Richmond. The evergreen magnolia is grown as far north as Cairo, Ill., Washington, D. C., or Cape May, N. J. The sequoia can be planted in … Read more
It took my wife and me several years to learn that not everything will grow in a cool greenhouse. Hopefully, a gloriosa tuber, African violets, gloxinia seedlings, and Christmas poinsettias rushed to our greenhouse and just sat there from October to March, waiting for spring weather. We finally realized that they needed warmth. After experimenting, … Read more
A wide variety of perennials familiar to gardeners can be found in seaside gardens along our Eastern seaboard. Iris and peonies, phlox and hemerocallis, delphiniums, and chrysanthemums flourish where there is no danger from the salt spray. However, there are much less familiar, but distinctive, species and varieties especially suited to oceanside gardens because of … Read more