http://retrogarden.com Old fashioned gardening advice at www.RetroGarden.com Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:04:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A list from Making a Garden of Perennials, by W. C. Egan, 1912 Asters (hardy) The so-called aster, grown by florists, and in general gardens, is not a true aster, but is known botanically as Callistephus Chinensis, introduced from China in 1731, and is a hardy annual. Why it ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/22/perennials/list-of-dependable-perennials/ I'll seek the shaggy fern-clad hill And watch, 'mid murmurs muttering stern, The seed departing from the fern Ere wakeful demons can convey The wonder-working charm away. Leyden. "The green and graceful Fern" (filices) with its exquisite tracery must not be overlooked. It recalls many noble home-scenes to British eyes. Pliny says that "of ferns there ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/12/ferns-for-home-and-garden/the-fern/ Heavily scented flowers, such as hyacinths, lemon and auratum lilies, polyanthus narcissus, magnolias, lilacs, and the like, should be avoided. Such is the advice of "Barbara", a.k.a Mabel Osgood Wright, who wrote about flowers in 1906. Here are her recommended combinations for dressing up your table with beautiful blossoms. Snowdrops and pussy-willows. Hepaticas ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/12/decorating-with-flowers/flowers-for-the-table/ A rockery is a part of the place in which plants are grown in pockets between rocks. It is a flower-garden conception rather than a landscape feature, and therefore should be at one side or in the rear of the premises. Primarily, the object of using the rocks is to ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/12/landscaping/rock-gardens-and-alpine-plants/ Nothing can be prettier than to see a stand of ferns in the parlor or sitting-room through the winter. Their freshness, amid winter snow and desolation, is gratifying to the eye, and the richness of their growth well repays the little care and attention which they demand. Our lady friends ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/12/ferns-for-home-and-garden/ferns-for-the-house/ By J. S. Sorenson, 1895 Very often it happens that the grower of flower would like a screen in front of some path or unsightly object, perhaps to mark the boundary between flower and vegetable garden; or it may be necessary to have a fence or hedge in the background. We ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/12/garden-structures/diy-garden-structures-fences-screens/ Morning-glory seeds were planted along the end of the fence by the outbuilding and all around it. After these climbing things began to grow the pretty effect of the vines was amazing. Many times one has to train vines so they will grow where one wishes. In such cases drive small ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/10/gardening-for-children/beautiful-backyard-with-vines-and-annuals/ BE sure to give your plants all the water they need at this season. We are quite apt to forget the wide difference between winter and spring, and continue winter treatment. At this time nearly all plants ought to be making vigorous growth. Growing plants always require a great deal ... http://retrogarden.com/2008/04/09/seasonal-gardening-tips/some-timely-april-hints/