The agapanthus (a-guh-pan-thuhs) plants are outdoor garden perennial flowers that bloom in the summer. They are more commonly known as the “Lily of the Nile” or the African lily plant. Apaganthus plants belong to a subfamily of flowering plants known as the Agapanthoideae, the Amaryllidaceae family. This family of plants is in the same family … Read more
Question: We just moved from the east coast, where our Hemerocallis (day lily) always was a color treat in our landscape. Now that we have settled into the mid-west and are ready to start planting, can we include the day lily Hemerocallis as a part of our flower garden? I’ve always enjoyed different cultivars and … Read more
Cyrtanthus (ker-TAN-thus) is a flowering bulbous perennial belonging to the genus Cyrtanthus and the Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee) family, better known as the Amaryllis family. The genus Cyrtantus is also considered the Amaryllidaceae family’s largest genus. The botanical or genus name Cyrtanthus is derived from the Greek word ‘kyrtos,’ which means curved, and the word ‘anthos,’ meaning … Read more
There is a veritable gold mine of rich and varied color among the tender summer-flowering bulbs – a potential treasure of which the intelligent gardener will take full advantage. Most of these “bulbs” (the term is used herein in a general sense to include not only genuine bulbs but corms, tubers, tuberous roots, and rhizomes) … Read more
Cyclamen (SY-kla-men), is a flowering herbaceous perennial belonging to the genus Cyclamen and from the primrose family, Primulaceae. This perennial flowering bulb is native to regions of the Mediterranean, Middle East, South Europe, and North Africa. It generally thrives in deciduous woodlands, alpine meadows, rocky areas, and scrublands. Cyclamen is well-known for its swept-back curved … Read more
Planting Potted Azaleas In Winter If you received a potted azalea during the winter, do the following steps: Planting Lilies At Easter Here are the tips to follow: Ideal Summer Flowers In The Greenhouse There is still time to order these plants for summer flowers in the greenhouse, lathhouse, or a protected part of the … Read more
The blustery winds and fluctuating temperatures of March can do damage to northern gardens. There is a tendency, when the weather is fine, to uncover plants protected all winter. This could lead to disaster. Tender growth suddenly exposed to frosty winds will shrivel. If there is heavy covering, remove only a part of it, allowing … Read more
March – even more than January to the Middle West should – be considered the Janus-faced creature that looks both ways. I have seen this month as mild as May. That year many vegetable gardeners planted beans at the last of that month and, strangely enough, they won. There was no freezing weather and their … Read more
Acidanthera (ass-ih-DAN-ther-ah), also known as Gladiolus murielae or Acidanthera murielae, is a cormous perennial which belongs to the genus Gladiolus and is a member of the family Iridaceae. This perennial summer-blooming bulb is native to the tropical mountains of East Africa, namely in regions of Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. It’s commonly known for its … Read more
The Clivia plant comes from the family Amaryllidaceae and subfamily Amaryllidoideae, and originates in the low-altitude woodlands in South Africa. Clivia is pronounced as [KLY-vee-uh] or [KLIV-ee-uh]. It’s an herbaceous or evergreen perennial plant that has green strap-like leaves with swollen bulb-like bases and individual bell-shaped flowers that occur in umbels. Many cultivars exist, and … Read more