If you think sweet peas are not for you because summers are too hot in your area, here is good news. Heat-resistant, torrid weather varieties are readily available. By mulching them with a 6-inch layer of straw, grass clippings, peat moss, or other material to keep their roots cool and moist, you can cut fragrant … Read more
Magnolias are among the most interesting and best-known trees in the southern states. About a dozen species and varieties are native to the South. Several others have been introduced, principally from Asia. All varieties have relatively large flowers. The simple flower structure indicates they are among the most ancient trees. Possibly, as old as the … Read more
Where the beautiful wildflowers grow, there, a man’s spirit is fed, and poets grow. That so queenly a flower should annually bloom in such withdrawn and secret places as to be rarely seen by man.” Written in praise of the purple-fringed orchis, these immortal words of Henry David Thoreau have become my philosophy. Since my … Read more
The Glenn Dale Hybrid Azaleas launched in a cannonade of almost unparalleled publicity years ago. A sensation at the big flower shows, they were the talk of horticultural circles throughout the country. Garden writers in the US and abroad paid them such glowing tribute that the supply of available plants vanished overnight. Any azalea with … Read more
Ten years ago, a well-meaning friend gave me several sedum plants, and with great enthusiasm, I planted them on our stone wall. I was a new gardener, and it was a wonderful experience to watch the far-ranging stems proliferate and cover the rough stones. Little did I know then the sedum I had planted was … Read more
Azaleas are popular plants and can grow from Seattle to Southern California. They are not difficult to grow if properly selected and properly cared for. Here are the proper steps to follow: Grow in peat moss fertilized with cottonseed meal, using 100 pounds of meal to one bale of peat. Light compost, sand, and oak … Read more
One of the difficulties in growing azaleas in many areas west of the Appalachians, in western Pennsylvania and Ohio, for example, is that the soil is not naturally acid and is often alkaline. In addition to this, much of the water supply is hard so it quickly counteracts any artificial acidification of the soil. This … Read more
Many excellent azaleas, natives of Europe and Asia, and America are suitable for growing in New England. If I were limited to five, I think that my choice would be for four native American species and one Japanese. All have been thoroughly tried, all are readily available, and if all were used in the same … Read more
The azalea gardens of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast area are notorious for their extravagant colors, and visitors from the North plan extensive tours to see them each spring. Spring and azaleas go together, and few severe gardeners in the South do not want an azalea display of their own. Ideal Azalea Growing Requirements … Read more
Azaleas are stagging a comeback from New York City to Washington. D. C. Their popularity will increase as the word spreads that these distinctive shrubs can be reliable and permanent garden assets if they are wisely chosen. A rich, individual character is to the graceful fountains of flowers produced by azaleas. Still, many gardeners in … Read more