This lilac, introduced into England in 1909, is a native of Korea and Manchuria. It is an attractive addition to our hardy, deciduous flowering shrubs, well worthy of a space in our gardens. It makes a shapely bush about 10’ feet high. The large panicles bear numerous fragrant flowers, varying from pale lilac to a … Read more
Want to see a Methuselah of a camellia? You’ll find a venerable specimen of Camellia japonica variety Alba Plena in the Johnson Public Library, Hackensack, New Jersey. It’s in the north reading room near the east wall—perhaps the most winning proof we’ve ever seen of the camellia’s remarkable adaptability. By written record, this camellia is … Read more
Experienced gardeners prefer fall planting. Not for all plants, but for a great many that the beginner seldom thinks of setting out except in spring. Unless you are in a very cold section of the country, roses planted in fall take hold better than spring-set bushes. So do most fruit trees and bushes, other deciduous … Read more
If there is one American plant truly deserving of recommendation for ornamental use over a greater part of the United States, it is the flowering dogwood. Commonly distributed in the woodlands over half the country at least, Cornus florida has been a highly valued ornamental since colonial times, and justly so. One can seldom go … Read more
We must realize that many of the perennial plants we grow in our gardens need special protection to live from year to year. Some bulbs, corms, and tubers need to be dug and placed in storage for winter because they do not survive the temperatures out of doors. Those needing such treatment include gladiolus, cannas, … Read more
This is an interesting month for gardeners everywhere but particularly so for gardeners here. October is one of the best planting months of the entire year. Careful soil preparation is essential for all bulb plantings, especially for bulbs that bloom for several years before being replanted. Loosen the soil deeply and incorporate liberal amounts of … Read more
October’s beauty is so brief… and if spring gardens are to be beautiful, much work must be done now. It is moving time this month or next for plants that are placed wrong. Look at the garden with a critical eye. Are clumps of daylilies too close to walks? Do shrubs need moving? Are there … Read more
Yews are, without question, the most useful and permanent evergreens in our gardens. Except for the few varieties that are very slow growing, most grow quickly. In fact, they develop too rapidly to be allowed to go without pruning when used in foundation plantings or formal gardens, or as hedges. Japanese Yews: Annual Pruning The … Read more
Shall I or shall I not have a greenhouse? This question, teasing its way back and forth through my thoughts for many months, suddenly resolved itself. I would have a greenhouse I thought, and decided on an aluminum lean-to type, 7′ by 14′ feet, with an outside door at one end. Cool House for Proper … Read more
Standard-sized fruit trees are out of the question for many home yards because in time they take up too much space, and their tops cannot be reached with home spraying equipment. Dwarf Fruit Trees But dwarf fruit trees are another story. They are scaled at maturity to suburban properties, and their tallest branches are always … Read more