Since June is not, inevitably, “The Month of Roses” (I like to think so, too!), let’s face it and admit that in northern sections, at least a few roses are in full bloom before the last days of June. It is the season, however, when many lovely biennials come into their own. And just when … Read more
Every year, besides the old standbys, I try something new. If it succeeds, I will continue to grow it. Datura Suaveolens Among those I have tried and kept is (Datura) Brugmansia suaveolens. It is easy to grow from seed, starting early indoors or directly in the garden after the ground is warm. Give it lots … Read more
Some years ago, my niece visited us in midsummer. When she got home, she expressed disappointment to her grandmother, “I thought Aunt Olga would have lots of flowers. She had hardly any. You have a lot more.” I was puzzled. My borders were full of plants, including rare and unusual ones. Seedframes contained more not … Read more
Among the petunias I tried last year, my first choice goes to Black Knight, a Grandiflora type. The plants were dwarf, sturdy, vigorous, and remarkably consistent in producing an abundance of large blooms. The color is a deep and velvety bluish-purple. Prima Donna Petunia The new Prima Donna petunia is also excellent. It has the … Read more
Annual flowers are seldom appreciated as they should be, for they are the backbone of the summer garden. They are the answer to the renter’s prayer for some inexpensive bloom. They are a godsend to the new homeowner who does not have time or maybe money to get hardy flowers for the first season. Nothing … Read more
The challenge of the new and the untried makes the annual influx of seed catalogs a continual source of fascination. Some of the so-called “new plants” are actually the result of rediscovery by some enthusiasts. Others are improved or selected strains offered because of better color, larger-sized blooms, or greater vigor. At any rate, there … Read more
I will not take up all the 1958 annuals, partly because you can see many of them yourself on these pages and partly because I have yet to test all of them. But be assured that any annual from a leading horticulturist is good to excellent. And be assured that with them, your next year’s … Read more
Give yourself a garden treat next summer – grow sweet peas! Despite anything you may have read to the contrary, sweet peas are easy to grow and graciously rewarding. Unfortunately, overemphasis on cultural directions for exhibitors and experts has led gardeners to believe that growing sweet peas is complicated. This is far from the truth. … Read more
If you have ever traveled by car through the Corn Belt section of our great Midwest, I’m sure you’ve seen signs reading something like “DeKalb Hybrid No. 873,” or “Pfister Hybrid No. 473,” standing adjacent to large fields of the world’s finest corn. Perhaps you’ve wondered at the time why nearly all of the corn … Read more
There are several seldom seen unique annual flowers which grow best when sown on well-prepared beds in the late Fall or very early Spring. The seeds seem to prefer cool soil and a little freezing and thawing although my Fall-sown seeds come up best when given a light cover of coarse litter. Perhaps this saves … Read more