The invasion of devastative plant diseases has altered entire nations, their customs, and their development. A plant disease, for example, caused the British to become such great tea consumers. In 1870 in Ceylon, a highly destructive rust disease forced plantation owners to abandon growing coffee and turn to grow tea, a plant that was not susceptible … Read more
The Carpathian walnut has proved hardy to sub-zero winters and is doing well in the Midwest and the northern United States, where California varieties suffer catastrophic winter injury. The glossy-leafed, white-barked trees and their early ripening nuts look just like those from California. When ripe, the thin hull splits, dropping the nuts to the ground. … Read more
No other tree conifer native to the United States surpasses the hemlock in grace and beauty. Canada And Carolina Hemlocks This is especially true of the Canada and Carolina hemlocks, both widely grown throughout this country except where hot, dry sun proves a limiting factor, where they never should be planted. Both species are native … Read more
Persian Parrotia is one of our gardens’ most interesting woody plants. Brilliant foliage coloration makes this tall shrub or small tree particularly distinctive in the autumn. Parrotia: Witch-Hazel Family Parrotia is a member of the witch-hazel family bearing close resemblance to these winter-blooming shrubs and fothergillas. Like other hardy and interesting plants in this family, … Read more
Everyone looks at a tree differently, particularly when considering its value. The artistic person believes a tree to be one of the Lord’s most magnificent creations. To a child, a tree is a beautiful place to climb and hide. The lumberman is concerned only with how many “boards” he can get out of a tree. … Read more
If one tree were to be selected as having more uses on the home grounds than any other, I am certain hemlock would be nearly a unanimous choice. The hemlocks are evergreens with small, half-inch-long needles usually borne in flat sprays. Most are trees reaching a height of 100′ feet and, like most cone-bearing trees, … Read more
Because December has so much activity for the entire family, the garden may easily be neglected. December is usually the month when the ground will be frozen on the surface for the first time of the season. Normally the weather will moderate, the soil surface will thaw, and some digging can be done. December is … Read more
Chestnuts, Buckeyes (or horse-chestnuts), and most acorns must be planted while still moist. If they are permitted to dry out, they will not grow. Seed Germination Seeds should be gathered in September or early fall from selected trees and placed in plastic bags such as arcs used for the deep freeze. However, the closed bags … Read more
Willows grow almost universally over the humid parts of the temperate zones and, generally speaking, are held in little esteem by the average person. Yet, in their way, they are indispensable in the landscape scheme. They are especially picturesque when spreading gracefully over a body of water. In the earliest spring their bark suddenly brightens, … Read more
Much of the charm of Florida’s winter comes from the parade of exotic flowering trees that burst into bloom from November through March, when most of the country is in the throes of cold and snow. Curiously, only one of these colorful trees is a native of Florida, while the rest have come from other … Read more