Heat Wave

Way back in 1939 Ethel Water’s sang a set of torrid lyrics written by Irving Berlin.  The first line goes: `“Oh, we’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave.” Many of us are singing that song right now. Berlin’s “heat wave” was generated by an unnamed human temptress.  Our current heat wave is generated … Read more

Perennial Gardeners

Some day I am going to open a school to train professional gardeners.  I have ample proof that such a school is much needed.  After spending years tending my gardens and those of others, not to mention fraternizing with landscape designers and garden lovers, I have discovered a universal truth.  Lots of horticulturally-inclined people want … Read more

Neglect

I am a plant lover with a dirty little secret—my houseplants are dying of neglect. At the moment my foyer and dining room look like a horticultural ICU, with patients that include a collection of geraniums, cacti, African violets, orchids and amaryllis.  Most spent last summer outside, happy and healthy.  The majority of the geraniums … Read more