Sweet Alyssum

When I think back on my father’s garden, lots of flowers and plants come to mind—the huge rhubarb in the very back, the Johnny jump-ups that jumped up through the grass every spring under the pine trees, and the long row of pink, rose and white peonies that grew by the back walk.  The property … Read more

Bishop’s Hat

When is a barberry not a barberry?  When it is a bishop’s hat. And sometimes that bishop’s hat is also known as barrenwort, fairy wings or even horny goat weed.  In all cases, the plant in question is epimedium, a shade-loving, spring bloomer that covers ground in a very appealing way. When most of us … Read more

Barrenwort Bounty

Sometimes, no matter what you do, plants just die.  When it happens, you haul them out of the ground, consign them to the compost pile and ease on down the horticultural road.  Other times, you think a plant is dead and it makes a phoenix-like resurrection.  This happened to me two weeks ago.  The phoenix … Read more

Geranium Update

I tell everyone who will listen that hardy geraniums, sometimes known as cranesbills, are the horticultural equivalent of the little black dress or well-tailored black trousers. They go with everything, can be accessorized to suit any style or occasion and are never “wrong” in the garden. If you install a Piet Oudolf-type garden, full of … Read more

Messy, Messy

I love my cottage-style garden, with its masses of flowers and greenery.  At my place, the garden has plenty of classical elements including brick paths, hedges and stone walls, but the plants rule the roost. The flip side of all that cottage garden charm is that masses of flowers and greenery can easily become messes … Read more