Early California Horticulture Publications

California Horticulture

Just ran into this really lovely illustration on the cover of California Horticulture by George C. Roeding.

Starting a page to collect all of these early horticultural books and booklets.

Plants and our Brains

Where I live in California, people often dislike certain trees, one type in particular, because they do not look like they belong here. (You know who I'm talking about, Canary Island ornamental date palm!). However, most trees in our city are not from California. They are from China, India, Africa, South America, Lord Howe's Island, Italy, Paraguay, etc. etc. etc.  Only by the grace of our industrious jays do we have native trees in our yards. And those are usually pulled out and put into the green bin.

So why do some trees look like they belong here and some don't? Why does a deodar cedar look okay on our streets when it is from the Himalayas? Why do camphor trees look ok when they are from China? Why do liquidambars look good here even though they are from the rainy summer East coast and usually living in a forest?

Motoring about the Countryside in a "Benzene Buggy" 1915

The Gardens of San Quentin, 1921

The Garden Magazine, September 1921

I ran into a reference about the gardens of San Quentin in a history of George C. Roeding who died in 1928.

In 1921, "The Garden Beautiful was the idea of a prisoner Pat Tyrone as he was nicknamed who is now free to enjoy the flowers outside. His name has been adopted for every head gardener Roman numerals being added so Pat Tyrone III is now directing this unique garden. Every plant grown has been donated by flower lovers. The members of the Dahlia Society of California each year send a gift box of their best and newest and last spring an appeal was made to the American Dahlia Society members who responded liberally." (p. 197)

Pruning a Tea Rose

Do we deadhead the Niles Cochet or not? This was a lively discussion today in the garden. 

Five, Seven, and Two discussing their predicament.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Oldest Rose Garden in the United States?

According to the 1917 American Rose Annual, the Van Cortlandt Manor has the oldest dating from 1681. Is it still believed to be the oldest?

That will take some sleuthing!