The Gardeners' Apprentice AUTUMN TIPS In autumn garden writers are bound by strict union rules to wax rhapsodic about the golden light, the gorgeous leaf colors and the gradual winding down of the growing season. This, of course, is a prelude to the winter union rules that require the creation of reams of eloquent prose about … Read more
RUTHLESS When we bought our house twelve years ago, an elderly lilac bush was holding court in the corner of the front yard. Judging by the size of the thickest trunk and the abundance of root suckers nearby, it had probably been there for years. Once upon a time, it had abundant sunshine, but … Read more
MONTAUK DAISY Nothing says “small world” like a plant that originated in Japan, bears the name of a Native American tribe and flourishes happily in many parts of the United States. The plant in question is the Montauk daisy, sometimes known as the “Nippon daisy.” Back when about a million species were included in … Read more
AUTUMN JOY ‘Autumn Joy’ is a beautiful sedum, with big flattened heads of tiny pink flowers that darken to rose as the season progresses. Liking ‘Autumn Joy,’ the plant, is easy; maintaining an “autumn joy” state of mind is harder. Autumn has much to recommend it–moderate temperatures, mellow light, and gardens that still … Read more
HUMMERS A few years ago I planted a packet of morning glory seeds in the narrow pocket of earth between the driveway and the trellising that hides the foundation of our house. I have done nothing to encourage them since, but they have reseeded and come up faithfully every year. The variety is ‘Grandpa … Read more
