In the most beautiful garden,” my friend said enthusiastically. I “Just wait ’til you see it; there isn’t anything like it.” I listened politely but said nothing. We had often heard great reports only to arrive at the promised land to find a mass of flowers with no apparent design or well-laid out beds with … Read more
We usually think of vines as most useful for house walls and arbors, yet they will sprawl along the ground and are particularly useful for spreading over terraces. They may eliminate grass-cutting of terrace slopes or soften the sharp lines of the terrace. On either side of the terrace steps, they may be a welcome … Read more
Here are examples of construction tools and materials you can use for path building. Concrete For a permanent and durable path, concrete heads the list. Its harshness may be softened by color topping, texturing the surface, or exposing the aggregate. A long path is a job for a contractor. However, concrete can be expensive. Brick, … Read more
Nestled close to a path, a plant that otherwise might become lost in the big garden picture gains attention. Here, in one gardener’s opinion, are a few plants that deserve a path side position. While they are not hard to obtain, they are frequently omitted from American gardens. Certainly, without them, no plant collection can … Read more
No flower I grow, not even orchids, calls forth the superlatives that my bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) does when it blooms. “Exotic!” “Beautiful!” say my garden guests. One, putting forth thumb and forefinger to feel the bloom said, “I see and do not believe.” These strange flowers are borne on a stalk that rises above the … Read more
The founding fathers of Cape May County, New Jersey, were seafaring men. In the old churchyards, many stones are marked “Lost at Sea,” while the sailing vessel is a common symbol above many an old family name. Like all travelers, the captains and their crews brought home souvenirs from their voyages, not the least of … Read more
What is a tree, and what is a shrub? It’s impossible to draw an arbitrary line separating the two because some species fall into both classifications. Loosely, a shrub is a woody plant with three or more stems eventually growing to a height of not more than 10’ feet—some say 8’ feet. A tree has … Read more
Ophiopogon jaburan (oh-fee-oh-POH-gon JA-bur-an) is a herbaceous perennial native to Korea and Japan. The genus name Ophiopogon comes from the Greek words “ophis” (snake) and “pogon” (beard), giving the plant the common name of Snakebeard. It is a grass-like groundcover, growing up to 1′ tall, and has a dwarf mounding form. The leaves of this … Read more
Cyperus alternifolius (sy-PEER-us al-tern-ee-FOH-lee-us) is a grass-like perennial plant native to tropical areas of Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. Because of its tropical habitat, this is one of the few plants you can’t overwater. Instead, it prefers a swamp-like atmosphere, often planted in water or a double pot filled with water. In addition to … Read more
Looking for a barrier hedge or a screen planting, for a decorative way to divide garden areas, or for colorful plants to define a path or drive Roses can solve any of these landscape problems. But which roses should you use? Barrier “Hedge” Roses Barrier hedge roses produce impenetrable growth, grow tall, and flower continuously … Read more