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
Midseason color in the garden may be amply provided from a storehouse of plants that are too seldom used. These are the ones that arise from bulbs or tubers. We are accustomed to the brilliant displays of tulips and narcissus in early spring. If we like, we can have continuing colors from bulbs through the … Read more
Midwinter is a favorable time to repot house plants. But do not move the plants to larger pots unless their roots are so crowded that they really need more room. Often it is possible to merely top-dress the plants. To do this, scrape away as much as possible of the surface soil without injuring the … Read more
We are already looking ahead to spring. Former disappointments are forgotten, and they should be, except insofar as they keep us from repeating the same mistakes. Soon, the flower catalogs will be arriving. Although we know very well that we won’t grow all the intriguing things they offer, nor really believe all the glowing descriptions, … Read more
Question: I want to know about – how to force bulbs indoors. Recently, I inherited my grandmother’s bulb forcing containers and vases. I remember her forcing bulbs of grape-hyacinth, daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and amaryllis indoors every Christmas. Unfortunately, my grandmother never shared her bulb forcing secrets. I would like to get an early splash of spring. … Read more
Mulching Be sure plants are completely dormant and the soil frozen to a depth of at least 2″ inches before applying mulches. Wind and sun do more harm than cold. Screen your evergreens wherever practical, especially your flowering kinds: Camellia Azalea Rhododendron Remember also that good drainage in the soil is the most essential item … Read more