In recent years, Hollies have taken the gardening public by storm. And why shouldn’t they receive attention after so many decades of neglect? They are not difficult to transplant, as was once widely believed. Nor are they especially slow-growing, provided proper requirements are met. However, pollen from male plants is necessary to ensure the setting … Read more
Wherever you live, there are all sorts of materials within your reach that you can use as winter decorations. Just step outside and let your imagination have free rein. You will be amazed at the many unique and interesting items that you will find to lend sparkle to your arrangements and provide conversation pieces for … Read more
It is an easy matter to have a garden here in central New Jersey that looks fresh and lovely in the spring. If water holds out, it will also be attractive in the summer and fall. However, the period from November to April, long and dreary, is not enlivened by flowers unless the gardener makes … Read more
One of the perpetual perplexities of my garden existence is how to tell a Genista from a Cytisus. So when is it a broom and not a broom? Cytisus And Genista It seems that in Cytisus, the flower parts (the “butterfly”) can be pulled apart separately, while in Genista, the petals are somewhat joined at … Read more
One sometimes hears landscape people bemoan the lack of low-growing evergreen material, so much needed now for the new types of low-walled homes. There is quite a hit of lovely material, especially among the broad-leaf evergreens, that has not yet been widely propagated and publicized. A newcomer to the broad-leaf evergreen group is a dwarf … Read more
October is one of nature’s busiest months. Most seeds must be ripened before killing frost. Deciduous trees and shrubs are gradually preparing for winter. Terminal growth is stopping, dormant buds are forming. Falling Leaves In the hardwood forest, we see one of nature’s plans still in operation. The shedding of leaves not only protects trees … Read more
Dependably hardy, at least as far north as southern New England, Japanese holly is also easy to grow in the mid-South. Like American holly, the Japanese make a larger plant there. In fact, it can become a small tree in that mild climate. Ilex crenata and its varieties remain handsome throughout the most bitter New … Read more
Yews have more than proven their value in American gardens during the past century. It is doubtful if any other conifers are so generally useful in such a wide range of situations. Since the two species native to North America – Canada yew and western yew (Taxus canadensis and Taxus brevifolia, respectively) are not particularly … Read more