Plant Gardens 101

As part of a species name, means “green.” For example, green hellebore, Helleborus viridis, has green flowers.

“Isn’t that beautiful corn in those people’s front yard?” I asked.

“I will not have corn growing in my front yard,” said my husband.

“Corn is a handsome plant. It gives a lush, tropical air.”

“I will not have corn growing in my front yard.”

So we didn’t have homegrown corn the next year. Our back yard was shaded, except for one part, and I had decided to grow roses there instead of corn.

The year after that I returned to the argument: “What if we planted corn in the side yard? It gets lots of sun.”

“I will not have corn in my front yard.”

“This wouldn’t be the front yard. It would be the side yard. And you remember how delicious corn tastes when you pick it five minutes before you cook it?”

He thought about how delicious fresh-picked corn tastes. “I guess the side yard isn’t the front yard,” he said. “Okay. You can grow corn in the side yard.” (more…)

What are the different classifications of roses that exist? This is a common question that arises when one is considering starting a rose garden. It may come as a surprise and it may start a debate among rose lovers but all roses are basically the same. Now before you discount that statement, let us look at the facts.

Yes, roses are typically classified into groups with similar growth habits, hardiness, shape of the flower and other characteristics. However, this is not as easy to do today as it once was. This is because the different varieties of roses have been cross bred and re-cross bred so many times that modern roses have the characteristics of several of the classes of roses. Nevertheless the rose literature still lists roses in specific classes even though they have common characteristics with many of the other classes of roses. (more…)