It is later than you think! During thaws along the Ohio River the sap is already stirring. Starting Seeds Indoors The inexperienced gardener should not attempt to start seeds indoors unless a really sunny window is available. Poor transplants make slower progress in the garden than do seedlings sown directly where they are to grow. … Read more
Fertilizing Trees And Shrubs In all parts of the South trees and shrubs should be fed now. A few gardeners remember to feed the shrubs. but most neglect the trees. Fertilizer that is applied now, when most species are developing leaf buds, is taken up immediately. When applied in the fall or early winter, much … Read more
A quick search on the web will help beginning West Coast gardeners with a good supply of information on what to do and when and how to do it. Plus there are many gardening books which tell the newcomer to the Coast how to grow the plants found at their local nursery. Although the gardening … Read more
This month the fragrance of tea olives, the Christmas rose of China and the lovely small tree Chimonanthus praecox (Meratia praecox), fills the air with delightful aromas. Camellias, with their fine forms and colors, lighten up the borders, dotted with the berries of nandina and hawthorn. How the birds love to feast on the berried … Read more
Gifts for Gardeners Garden tools, gloves, fertilizer, and plant and bulb gift cards are but a few of the unusual gifts that will be appreciated by gardeners. Prune Fruit Trees Peaches and nectarines should be pruned severely this month. Apricots, apples, and pears require only the removal of dead wood, crossed branches, and water sprouts. … Read more
Holly The Christmas season highlights holly. Although hollies do not grow too successfully in the Midwest, more and more plants are appearing in the gardens of skillful gardeners. Ilex opaca, American holly, is about the only species worth much in the area represented by a line drawn from Springfield, Illinois, to Columbus, Ohio. Spraying the … Read more
Camellias Varieties that bloom at midseason may be selected and planted as the first flowers open and the full crop enjoyed in the garden. Some of the best of the midseason camellias include such old favorites as Alba Plena, Pink Perfection, and Ville de Nantes. Late-flowering varieties may be planted now for the full benefit … Read more
In the south, Camellias may be planted any time from early November to late March. However, due to the normal human desire for immediate effects, most planting is done in February or early March when the plants bloom. While there are few fatalities among the plants due to this late planting, it is decidedly not … Read more
Few operations connected with gardening are more misunderstood than that of providing protection for winter. Someone has remarked that attempts at winter protection injure more plants than they benefit. This is somewhat exaggerated, but not so much as might be supposed. The basic reason winter protection often fails to protect, or results in injury, is … Read more
Summary: This article is an excerpt from the book “Camellia Culture” published over 60 years ago in a flower magazine. The information is just as valuable today as it was when it was first published. Where To Plant Camellias? When deciding where to plant a Camellia, there are several leading factors to take into account. These should … Read more