The delicate blossoms of the anemone are true harbingers of spring in the garden. Truly an aristocrat in color and habit of growth, this herbaceous perennial should be planted by all gardeners. The anemone is frequently referred to as windflower, since the botanical name is derived from the Greek word anemos, which means wind. Incidentally, […]
Fir Bark for African Violet
Making soil for African violets when grown in any quantity can become quite a chore. And what violet lover does not have many, many plants about the house once the hobby has been established? If you live in an apartment or small house many times it is easier to purchase potting mixes for African violets. […]
Okra – Southern Comfort for the Kitchen
A few seasons ago a folksong in the vernacular of Louisiana’s Cajun element was recorded by some of the country’s most successful vocalists. Nobody was much concerned that the words made sense to few people outside the deep South. Jambalaya is a favorite Cajun dish of meat and vegetables, but gumbo, a similar mixture also […]
Greenhouse Checklist for MAY
Epiphyllums (commonly called orchid cactus, and pronounced epy-FILL-ums) bud and bloom this month. Syringe the leaves several times a day with a mist of tepid water. This will help the buds to develop properly. The species Epiphyllum oxypetalum, one of the plants known as night blooming cereus, usually begins to show buds during this month. […]
Muskmelons
Sometimes it is difficult to grow cantaloupes (muskmelons) in a small garden, but even a small vegetable plot can provide space for a few hills. When you make your garden plan, on paper or in the actual garden, allow two rows for onions, radishes, and other early maturing crops. Then leave one or two rows […]
Calceolarias A Challenge for Green Thumbs
If I were listing the most beautiful greenhouse plants, calceolarias would vie for top honors. Their abundance of pouch-like slipper flowers makes them plants of an “Oh” and “Ah” nature. Their requirements are very exacting, and if you are successful in growing a calceolaria from seed to flower, you should be granted a medal. High […]
The Greenhouse in April – Loving the Light
Most indoor house plants are just southern plants brought north of their hardiness range. Everyone who has traveled in the South knows the spectacular bougainvillea which produces veritable floral fireworks as it billows over porches, roofs and fences. A careful look shows that the color is in a set of bracts surrounding a cluster of […]
More Than a Mere Geranium
If there ever was a division of plants in any family truly mixed up, it most certainly is the pelargonium division of the geranium family. The group is gigantic in numbers, weird in some of the plant and flower formations, and exotic in leaf patterns and texture. When a large collection is viewed in a […]
Being an Intelligent Customer
Buying plants by mail or at a local nursery is one of the great joys of gardening. Here are some suggestions on being an Intelligent customer Old Gardener’s Rule #1: In gardening and growing plants, perhaps more than in anything else, first quality makes for happiness. For every dollar spent on a plant, you spend […]
Tree Pruning Services – Evergreens Need It Too
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that evergreens shouldn’t be pruned – even a tree pruning service. Pines, junipers and other evergreens can, and should, be pruned. The time and procedure to use will, of course, determine the results that you can expect. First, remember that pruning in early spring before the new growth comes […]
