Gardens are a little like people. Some have great personalities and charm; the majority make little impressions one way or another. Fortunately, gardens can be changed into what we want them to be. Contemporary Gardening Therefore, let’s consider contemporary gardening in this country constructively yet critically. First, of course, there are the great gardens of … Read more
In all the wide range of garden operations, there is probably none less understood than winter mulching. 9 out of 10 gardeners continue to use rule-of-thumb practices—some of them actually harmful—with no real knowledge concerning what should be done or how to do it. Testing Of Roses In a Chicago Regional Rose Society survey, in … Read more
Plants growing in poorly drained soils are far more subject to winter damage than those growing in well-drained ones. They also tend to grow more readily when the host leaves the ground in spring. Plants growing in well-drained soil have more luxuriant roots that penetrate more deeply. Such plants are more resistant to low-temperature injury … Read more
To be considered a good ornamental, a tree or shrub must possess several outstanding qualities. These may vary somewhat but, generally, they include beautiful flowers, attractive fruits, good foliage, hardiness where this is essential, ability to withstand attacks by insect pests and plant diseases, and ease of culture. This does not mean that every good … Read more
There are a few wildflowers which belong to the plant aristocracy. Lathyrus splendens, Pride-of-California or Campo Pea, is surely deserving of high regard. Why? Just for one thing: it’s a unique black-crimson color. Only the deepest, dark red rose possesses this marvelous, glowing shade. But Pride-of-California dangles masses of this velvety crimson among branches of … Read more
Cloud bush (Grevillea paniculata) is one of the many shrubs native to Australia that are at home in West Coast gardens. Like many shrubs from other countries and like a few natives of the Western states, cloud bushes usually flower in response to moisture. Except during its rest months, which on my hill are June … Read more
Camellias make excellent pot plants, and because of certain unusual cultural requirements, they are well adapted for growing on porches and sunrooms that are or can be closed in during Winter. They have been kept in good condition for many years, even to 50 or more with their root systems confined to the limited space … Read more
Of the several hundred species of hawthorns native over the entire United States, one stands out prominently as an excellent ornamental tree. Crataegus phaenopyrum, the Washington thorn, does well all across the country. Dimensions Of Washington Thorn It is seldom for a tree found growing to be more than 30′ feet high. In fact, the … Read more
In many areas of the country, the coldest winds come from the north, northeast, and northwest. Curved Planting In summer, on the other hand, they usually emanate from the west, southwest, or south. The wintry blasts from the north can be guided around your home by curved plantings of evergreen trees and shrubs in the … Read more
One of the perpetual perplexities of my garden existence is how to tell a Genista from a Cytisus. So when is it a broom and not a broom? Cytisus And Genista It seems that in Cytisus, the flower parts (the “butterfly”) can be pulled apart separately, while in Genista, the petals are somewhat joined at … Read more