Cloud bush (Grevillea paniculata) is one of the many shrubs native to Australia that are at home in West Coast gardens. Like many shrubs from other countries and like a few natives of the Western states, cloud bushes usually flower in response to moisture. Except during its rest months, which on my hill are June … Read more
Camellias make excellent pot plants, and because of certain unusual cultural requirements, they are well adapted for growing on porches and sunrooms that are or can be closed in during Winter. They have been kept in good condition for many years, even to 50 or more with their root systems confined to the limited space … Read more
Of the several hundred species of hawthorns native over the entire United States, one stands out prominently as an excellent ornamental tree. Crataegus phaenopyrum, the Washington thorn, does well all across the country. Dimensions Of Washington Thorn It is seldom for a tree found growing to be more than 30′ feet high. In fact, the … Read more
Every fall and spring, thousands of native trees are dug from our woods for transplanting to home grounds. Usually, this effort is wasted. The trees seldom withstand the shock of poor digging, improper transportation, and lack of proper planting and care. Other causes of failure include: Late spring transplanting after the trees have leafed out … Read more
The word wahoo, refers to Euonymus atropurpureus. The word comes from the Dakota Indian word wanhu, – arrowwood. It is also known as burning bush and spindle tree. The straight, round, smooth, small branches would make good arrows. A plus for the western Indians who used them. Not A Dioecious Plant It is not a … Read more
When wild geese fly high, there is a haze on the far horizon, and the weather turns, pleasantly cool, then November has arrived. Potting of Small Plants Usually, some small plants in the garden can be potted to make sunny windows brighter for the winter. Small petunias, coleus, marigolds, and even morning glories will frame … Read more
Most woody plants have green leaves throughout the growing season, but some have different colored foliage in the early Spring, and because of this, they may be given special varietal names. These colors may be pronounced – for a few weeks as the plants start into growth -but in many plants, these colors gradually give … Read more
Winter never lags if you have camellias in full bloom all season. We grow them in our greenhouse and on our glassed-in porch. Our 22’x24′-foot glass house was built many years ago and paid for itself almost at once with savings on winter vacations—with camellias in bloom, why go away! They like cool temperatures, so … Read more
The viburnums comprise so many excellent shrubs from diversified environments that one can hardly begin to grow them all in one garden. Perhaps it would be better to say that a beginning should be made for every garden, for no other genus of hardy shrubs offers so much beauty and interest over such long periods. … Read more
Pyracantha (firethorn) has been popular in the Midwest for a long time, but the fact that this beautiful shrub resents root disturbance has restricted its wide use here as a winter ornamental. Methods of Propagation Nurseries now have found the source of this trouble, and are using better methods of propagation. The result is that … Read more