In a sunny situation, Chrysogonum virginicum, commonly referred to as the golden star, will show you a multitude of starry yellow blossoms rising from green carpets to reach the height of 6″ inches. It keeps up the display all summer until frost quenches the floral glow. Also, it is a good rock garden subject and … Read more
It is amazing what innumerable forms there are in all trees and other plants, and their study from this point of view is fascinating. The selection of sharp contrast may be used for balancing effects, and balance is a requisite in the landscape picture. This may be applied to smaller features such as a rock … Read more
Cuttings taken now of desirable trees, shrubs, and vines may furnish a practicable means of propagating. Stems of some deciduous species, such as Rosa multiflora, privets, forsythias, and weigelas may be cut into 1’ foot sections in the late Autumn. If these sections are packed in moist sand, sphagnum moss, or sawdust and stored over … Read more
Every fall and spring, thousands of native trees are dug from our woods for transplanting to home grounds. Usually, this effort is wasted. The trees seldom withstand the shock of poor digging, improper transportation, and lack of proper planting and care. Other causes of failure include: Late spring transplanting after the trees have leafed out … Read more
A fascinating facet of gardening is the science of plant propagation. Gardeners consciously or unconsciously use one or more propagation methods in producing their garden plants. The simple act of raising plants from seeds is one important method. “Slipping” a geranium, planting a gladiolus corm, or transplanting young strawberry runner plants are other recognized methods … Read more
While thinking of all the places where rock gardens are to be seen or of sites where rock plants might be growing, there seem to be three types of terrain requiring very different efforts on the part of man. The more hopeful areas are those supplied with natural rocks and perhaps with small plants or … Read more
Who says there’s nothing new under the sun? Not the flower arranger, surely. And to prove how right she is, there now comes a harvest of new and desirable vases, trays, bowls, and jars to spur us on to new, different, better flower pictures. With Christmas in mind, we trudged through the stores seeking whatever … Read more
The term organic can have many meanings, but we can define it as plant remains for our purpose. Such remains commonly decompose rather quickly, contain considerable amounts of the elements necessary for plant growth, and, if incorporated into the soil after serving their purpose as a mulch, improve the soil structure and add fertility. Benefits … Read more
The plant breeder is truly a creator, for he works, not with such dead chemicals as pigments, but with those infinitesimally small yet living chemicals galled “genes.” Genes: Bearers Of Heredity In Plants Genes are the bearers of heredity in all life, from mankind to the grass itself. It is hard for us to realize … Read more
Mulches, one kind or another, have been used since time immemorial. In some cases, they may have been of value. In others, they may have been of little or no benefit. Many questions arise about the use of mulches and mulching practices. What is a Mulch? Roughly, a mulch may be defined as any protective … Read more