colorful spring bulb look in front of brownstone For a Fabulous Spring Look call Plant Specialists today – the choices are endless !! PLANT SPECIALISTS GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 52 YEARS ! Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA All photographs used with permission […]
Dominance and Flower Color
Genetic expression Dominance is a description of genetic expression. The various flower color variations are due to the degree at which the individual genes are expressing for this one trait. Plants have two sets of chromosomes in their cells, each containing many genes in a sequence along its length. The ones in the […]
ALLELOPATHY
Our observations Many years ago we noticed how when planting sweet potato vine into containers for a summer display – all the hibiscus also planted with it would stop flowering soon after ! We also noticed how some annuals didn’t do well in pots with marigolds. And nothing liked to be in a […]
A rose by any other name
Damask That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,And I’ll no longer be a Capulet Romeo: [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall […]
PLASMOLYSIS
Turgidity Normal cells are in a state that is called ‘turgid’. That is, they are pretty full of water and hence there is enough pressure against the cell wall for the cell membranes to keep their shape. If the plant does not receive water in time – it wilts. It’s basically a result of […]
Water
The water molecule Water is chemically known as H2O – that is, 2 atoms of Hydrogen stuck to one Oxygen. This assembly is kept together by their attraction to each other at the atomic level. Hey – maybe its the water inside us that makes us attracted to one another ! I wonder? Diagram […]
Nomenclature
What is it ? The word nomenclature is derived from the Latin nomen (‘name‘), and calare (‘to call’). It is a system of names or terms, or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. In Botany – it is they way we identify a particular plant species or variety. It is also related […]
What is an Heirloom plant anyway ?
Have you ever been in a restaurant and they offer your heirloom tomatoes or heirloom potatoes and you wondered what the heck that even means ( but felt too silly to ask ). An Heirloom Blue potato – yum ! Well wonder no more ! From hear on in you will be the […]
Planting Perennial’s in fall
Bulbs and bareroots can certainly be planted in springtime, but experienced gardeners know that planting in fall typically results in a more thriving, healthy perennial. Why? Fall planted perennials exploding in color all season ! Firstly With the ground still warm after summer, it’s easier for the perennial to settle into the […]