I have never had much luck growing Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola tricolor) from seed, but finally two years ago a single plant survived to maturity. Last year that lone survivor begot several offspring. This year those offspring have taught me the […]
Birds in your garden Bird House design and food
How to Attract Them and Care for Them All who have closely studied birds claim that the set by the good which they do. On the other damage, they may do in gardens is more than offhand, gardeners without an […]
Camellia shrubs Growing and care
How to Propagate and Grow These Amazingly Handsome Shrubs Evergreen shrubs and trees from China and Japan, belonging to the Tea family, Theaceae. They are adapted for outdoor cultivation in the milder parts of the United States, but in the […]
Gold Of Ophir
Gold Of Ophir For centuries and perhaps even millennia people have been searching for the source of the Gold of Ophir. My own search started last week, and I am pleased to say that my shipment of the fabled cargo […]
Iris – Perennial Plant, How to grow
From the Greek iris, a rainbow (Iridaceae). A large genus of bulbous, creeping and tuberous rooted perennials, some of which are evergreen. They are natives of the north temperate zone from Portugal to Japan. Among the most varied and beautiful […]
What to know – Planting a Perennial flower garden
Perennials This term is used to describe a plant which does not die after flowering, but persists for a number of years, in contrast with an annual which flowers once and then dies after setting seed, and a biennial which […]
Exhibiting Flowers at the Fair
Planning to enter flowers at the fair this summer? Here are some tips for blue ribbon entries. First and foremost, flowers must be fresh. When you pick the blooms and how you handle them does make a difference in how […]
Silene – Perennial Plant, How to grow
How to Grow Silene Probably from the Greek sialon, saliva, in reference to the gummy exudations on the stems which ward off insects (Caryophyllaceae). Catchfly. A genus of 100 species of annual, biennial and herbaceous perennials of the northern […]
Macleaya – Perennial Plant, How to grow
Commemorating Alexander Macleay, 1767-1848, Secretary of the Linnean Society (Papaveraceae). This genus, sometimes listed under the synonym Bocconia, consists of two Chinese species of perennial herbaceous plants very valuable in the garden. Their most outstanding virtue is their great height […]
Incarvillea – Perennial Plant, How to grow
Commemorating Pierre d’Incarville (1706-57), a French Jesuit missionary to China (Bignoniaceae). A genus of about 6 species of herbaceous perennials, first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century, hardy or nearly hardy in suitable conditions. Species cultivated I. delavayi, 2 feet, rose-pink […]










