Long ago I heard an old recording of Marlene Dietrich, early twentieth century German chanteuse and style icon, singing one of her signature ballads. The words go, “Falling in love again, in love again. Falling in love again, can’t help it.” I know the feeling. On my recent vacation a dwarf bearded iris caught my … Read more
I am a student of gardening history, especially in the winter, when actual gardening activities are necessarily limited. Sometimes in my reading, catalog perusal and other armchair activities, certain tantalizing figures pop up repeatedly. This happened recently with Lady Beatrix Stanley, whom I found waltzing across the pages of a snowdrop catalog, dancing through listings … Read more
A neighbor stopped by not long ago and said, “What are those beautiful aqua iris by your front walk?” The iris in question were small but glorious, resembling a cluster of orchids or a small flock of butterflies hovering just above ground level. The three outer petals or falls of each one were pale aqua-blue … Read more
