From the Greek word for “dolphin,” a flower bud with some resemblance to that sea creature (Ranunculaceae). Larkspur. The genus comprises annual, biennial, and herbaceous perennial p...
Shade Trees How to Select and Care for Them
Trees for shade should be planted only after thoughtful selection, for those that may be very suitable in June may be less so in August. The Linden and the Mulberry are delightful trees when the...
Controlling Animal Pests in the Flower Garden
Although insect pests and plant diseases are generally easy to control in the flower garden, animal pests are not. For one, much of our wildlife is protected by law and can’t be indiscrimi...
Herbal plants offered today
The plants offered to gardeners or non-gardeners at nurseries, garden centers and the corner store vary immensely. They may be culinary herbs suitable for all sorts of savory dishes, or va...
Gardening Guidance for Growing Orchids
Orchid cultivation
Orchids seem to do best if a greenhouse is devoted solely to their cultivation, though some types such as Odontoglossum grande and Coelogyne cristata will succeed very well...
Designing a Herbaceous border
The herbaceous border, which is a comparative newcomer to the garden scene, is still one of its most popular features. Introduced at the turn of the century by Gertrude Jekyll as a protest again...
Sorting Seeds
Since confession is good for the soul, I feel compelled to say that I always order too many seeds. And since making excuses is one of the hallmarks of the human condition, I will also say ...
How to grow Aquilegia
The flower form resembles an eagle’s claw, hence the probable origin of this name from aquila the Latin for eagle (Ranunculaceae). Columbine. Hardy herbaceous perennials for the herbaceous...
How to grow Anaphalis
Said to be an old Greek name for a similar plant (Compositae). Hardy perennials with white wooly foliage and flowers which can be cut before maturity and dried for use as `everlastings’, s...
Water drainage requirements for your garden
The soil must have adequate drainage; otherwise, air may be excluded, and the more beneficial micro-organisms may be destroyed. Soils which have poor drainage are often sour and acid. It will be...