Hedges solve many landscape problems around the home. But when homeowners plant a hedge, they begin to wonder which kind to choose. Soon the hedge idea seems to arouse as many new problems as it solves. Each possible hedge plant raises questions about its: Potential height Hardiness Preference for sun or shade Moisture requirements Suitability … Read more
In the one-acre garden of Mrs. G. C. Shackelford at Columbus, Georgia, there are over 150 camellias that have been collected and cared for over the years. Some older plants are 6’ to 7’ feet tall and as much as 6’ feet through. They are planted along Mrs. Shackelford’s property’s boundaries and balanced along the … Read more
Rhododendron atlanticum or Dwarf Azalea is a species of Rhododendron from the Ericaceae, commonly known as the Heaths or Heather family. The Ericaceae family has over 4,000 species of flowering plants in 126 genera distributed virtually worldwide, ranging from small alpine herbs and shrubs to large tropical trees. This makes Rhododendron atlanticum closely related to … Read more
If you are an old-time, conservative horticulturist, you will probably choke at the thought of the native western chokecherry. Prunus virginiana demissa, is a very worthwhile shrub or small tree. You’ll say, “Oh no, not that, chokecherry takes the place.” I do not think it does. After five years of observing several clumps of 15-year-old … Read more
Autumn-fruiting raspberries are a boon to home gardeners because they produce a crop in the fall and the usual one during early summer. The term “everbearing” is often applied to them; however, it is unsuitable. They do not bear fruit continuously but bear the usual crop over 3 or 4 weeks in July and then … Read more
“Why does it look like a hibiscus,” said an admirer of the tropical-looking bloom. But when she had observed it more closely, she said, “But it’s only an old hollyhock.” That’s the reaction many of us have to this familiar flower. Nimble-fingered people use the beautiful florets for very “dressy” corsages. Flower arrangers float them … Read more
Unfortunately, some unimaginative horticulturists coined the common name “blue spirea” for this excellent small shrub. In so doing, he unwittingly did the plant a disservice, and the name immediately identified it with the ubiquitous Spiraea x Vanhouttei, which is, perhaps, the most common shrub to be found in the garden and landscape plantings of America. Blue … Read more
I was first bitten by the insidious camellia bug 16 years ago. My wife was responsible. She asked me to drive her to Charleston, S.C., to get a debutante. Until then, I had thought a debutante was a well-bred young woman about to make her bow to society. As our son was just 2 years … Read more
In January, the first pink buds open on the large crowded clusters at the tips of Rhus integrifolia, commonly known as the lemonade-berry bush or sour-berry bush. The flowers are white, tinged with red. By early spring, the ovule of each bloom will become flattened, round-edged berries covered with pale green flesh. This soon develops … Read more
Now that November, winds have shaken the last leaves from most of our trees. For the shrubbery, the heart of the broad-leaved evergreens gets the spotlight. These attractive plants, with their broad foliage contrasted with the slender needles of pines, spruces, and junipers, play an essential part in bridging the long winter season from fall … Read more