Tools play an essential part in a healthy garden. It’s almost impossible to have a healthy garden without tools. When we talk of healthy plants, naturally, the first thing we think of is spraying and dusting to kill insects and diseases. But there are other things which must be done. There is fertilizing, killing weeds, … Read more
The elusive fothergilla, native of the southeastern United States, has escaped the attention of many a plantsman and commercial growers. Yet, it is one of the most ornamental shrubs of its size for all but the coldest parts of the country. Easy to grow and requiring practically no care whatsoever, it is one of those … Read more
Ernest H. Wilson was not a man who boasted about his exploits. The way to learn from his lips about his work in China, Japan, and other Far East lands was to confront him with a collection of rare or newly introduced plants from the other side of the world. Then his eyes would sparkle, … Read more
One of the treasures Pilgrims found adorning the New England wilderness was Kalmia Latifolia the pink charm mountain laurel. The Indians called it a “spoonwood plant,” To later colonists, it was “calico bush.” But early settlers were reminded of old-world laurel, and their name for it holds to this day. Kalmia Latifolia “Mountain Laurel” As … Read more
Every gardener knows what a late frost in the spring or an early frost in the fall can do to his prized plantings. Among the more common victims at one end of the season are dahlias, tomatoes, iris, peonies, and peaches. In fact, practically any more tender flowers, vegetables, and fruits are susceptible. Sometimes it … Read more
Gardeners will give you several reasons for growing native plants in captivity. Sometimes they are put forth as alibis by those interested simply in natives for native’s sake. Perhaps more of this group of gardeners are merely following an inner urge for the “wild” or the “simple” rather than the tamed or improved. But for … Read more
May in the garden is such a delightful month! There is so much color and fragrance to enjoy that routine chores may be easily overlooked. Yet this is the time to tend to needed duties if summer and fall gardens are as colorful and attractive as they deserve. Planting Hardy Annuals Now many kinds of … Read more
You don’t know your garden until you’ve seen it lighted at night. It develops a new personality, completely different from its daytime look. Lighting gives you more hours for outdoor living. The barbecue is not abandoned as nighttime falls, and you may garden in the cool of the evening. The teenagers play games on the … Read more
In the generosity of spring, the delicate white flowers of fringetrees are unique and command admiration even among the most colorful garden planting. White or American fringetree is one of our most attractive native plants. Although largely neglected for many years, it is again becoming popular and many other natives. As the scientific name has, … Read more
I wanted to grow azaleas twenty-two years ago when I returned to the Midwest after many years of enjoying the green-damp hills of Maryland. Most experienced St. Louis gardeners advised me to stick to iris and water-lilies. Those who had azaleas or had tried to grow them reported: “You can make them live, but the … Read more