Over the last 65 years, the number of cotoneasters available to West Coast gardeners has more than doubled. For many introductions, we must thank the late W. B. Clarke. Graceful Sprays of Cotoneaster Fall after fall, he would bring long graceful sprays of cotoneaster, berried to the hilt, and show them at the monthly meetings … Read more
The burning bush or winged spindle tree has been a popular garden favorite in America for nearly a century, but its dwarf, compact-growing variety is unique. Seedlings of Euonymus Alatus About eighty years ago, the Adams Nursery of Westfield, Massachusetts, obtained some seedlings of Euonymus alatus from France and after they were grown in the … Read more
Is it possible to grow cultivated blueberries in garden soil that have been limed and fertilized for many years? It is both possible and easy, and inexpensive to prepare such garden soil for cultivated blueberries. Growing Culture For Vigorous Plants I have 160 plants of a dozen varieties, but the most interesting blueberry project is … Read more
The Siebold Viburnum is a tall, vigorous shrub that can easily be considered one of the best viburnums for ornamental use. A native of Japan, it was introduced into America about 1880, but for some reason, it has not become as well known in this country as it should. Normally, it may grow to 30′ … Read more
The gray-leaved yarrow, Achillea argentea, is a pleasing low plant not often seen in gardens. It is equally valuable for the low border or the rock garden as it does not take up too much space nor spread from root runners. Achillea Argentea Characteristics Leaves are feathery and woolly, with a silvery sheen. The individual … Read more
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