The St. Johnsworts make up a large group of herbaceous and shrubby plants widely distributed over the northern hemisphere. A number of the herbaceous kinds and some of the moderately hardy shrubs of the group have received considerable attention in plant catalogs, but the value of some of the hardy and ‘dependable woody. Species are … Read more
The shadbushes or Juneberries are a perplexing lot to distinguish from each other, and they have been the source of much confusion and no little discomfiture among botanists. Of the species in the group possessing outstanding ornamental value, Amelanchier laevis is easily identified, and home gardeners would do well to note the many fine characteristics … Read more
The elusive fothergilla, native of the southeastern United States, has escaped the attention of many a plantsman and commercial growers. Yet, it is one of the most ornamental shrubs of its size for all but the coldest parts of the country. Easy to grow and requiring practically no care whatsoever, it is one of those … Read more
When you see the Carolina silver bell ( Halesia carolina) this spring, look upward through the loose branches at the little white bell-shaped flowers peeping from among the pale green leaves. The most important home-ground value of the silver bell is that its blooms can best be seen from below. This is a rare characteristic … Read more
Like franklinia and shortia, Carpenteria californica is one of the so-called “lost” plants—discovered, then unsuccessfully searched for, and at last rediscovered. In California it has been in cultivation for thirty-five years. Because there are so few natural stands of bush anemone, it is probably one of the plants seen more often in gardens than in … Read more
Much of the excitement in Pacific Coast gardening comes from experimenting with plants native to western states and those from other countries with similar climates. Many natives have adopted themselves to zones and exposures quite unlike those in which they are found. Fallugia Paradoxa “Apache Plume” One of these shrubs is Fallugia paradoxa, more commonly … Read more
Seven of the fifteen known garrya species are native to the Pacific Coast. Evergreen Garrya elliptica, Coast silk-tassel, is the one that has been in the trade the longest and is still the species commonly planted in gardens and parks. It grows wild on the slopes of coastal ranges from the Rogue River in Oregon … Read more