The evergreens have a wide range of usefulness in landscape plantings, not only in home grounds but also in community parks, cemeteries other public areas. The needle evergreens, also referred to as conifers, will withstand long periods of drought and reasonable neglect without serious damage. Other desirable qualities of this large group of plants are […]
Archives for February 2009
Starting a Weigela Bush
Question: How can I start a new plant from my Weigela bush? LB., Pennsylvania. Answer: Soft wood cuttings taken in the summer and placed in moist sand in a lightly shaded cold frame will root easily and can be transplanted to the garden the following spring. Hardwood cuttings of the current year’s growth may be […]
White Lilac Bush Not Flowering
Question: – I have a white lilac bush about three years old which has big healthy leaves, but it has never had a flower on it. Could you tell me what is wrong with it? O.S., Kentucky. Answer: – If the lilac is growing nicely probably there is nothing wrong. Sometimes it takes more than […]
Groundcovers and Vines for the Southwest
Try these vines and groundcover plants if you live in the Southwest: EVERGREEN CLEMATIS – This broad leaved vine is interesting used along a fence or‘on a roof gable where its leaves can hang down. Known scientifically as Clematis Armandi it grows to 20 feet in any average soil and prefers a sunny location. Buy […]
Southern States Vine and Groundcover Options
If you live in the warm Southern states here are a few selections for Vines and groundcovers in your landscape. CAROLINA YELLOW JESSAMINE – Is a showy twining vine reaching 30 feet in length with yellow flowers in spring and wine-red foliage in winter. While it will grow in sun, it prefers some shade and […]
Growing Baby Gladiolus
In this age of striving for more size in everything from planes to posies, an ordinary landscape gardener is often quite overwhelmed. Take glads, for instance. In the shows the stalks get taller and the florets larger by the year. The trend is quite fine for shows but not exactly suited to my modest garden. […]
Northeast States Vine and Ground Covers Selections
Selections for Vine and Groundcovers for the Northeast: ENGLISH IVY – From Massachusetts southward this plant, called Hedera Helix in scientific circles, is found as a ground cover 8 inches tall and as a vine climbing up into trees and on walls 50 feet or more. It will grow in any good soil in sun […]
Groundcover and Vines for Central States
Vines and groundcovers for gardeners who live in the Central states. WINTERCREEPER – There are two varieties of this broad leaved vine or ground cover worthy of attention. The first is the purple-leaf wintercreeper, Euonymus Fortunei colorata, whose foliage has a purple cast; the second, the big-leaf wintercreeper, Euonymus Fortunei vegetus, noted for its attractive […]
Lonicera Flowering Shrub for North Side
Question: Would you give me the name of a flowering shrub that would do well on the north side of my home where there is no sun except in early morning? J. F., Indiana. Answer: The number of flowers a blooming shrub will produce depends in part on the amount of light they receive. The […]
Pyracantha Hedge Does Grow in the North
Fall and winter color in your garden will be greatly enriched if you can find space for one or several pyracantha shrubs. Their orange berries, green persistent leaves, and large bulk leave little to be desired in the way of a winter interest shrub. If your home is located south of a line drawn through […]
