The Gardeners' Apprentice A STUDY IN GARDEN EXCESS By all accounts, Englishman Charles Talbot had a winning ticket in the lottery of life. Upon the death of his childless uncle, George Talbot, in 1787, Charles inherited an impressive title–Earl of Shrewsbury–plus an even more impressive estate of about 600 acres and a large amount of money. Between … Read more
THE PRICE OF BEAUTY Every time my mother came home from a dinner party or other social outing, she would take off her pointy-toed high heels, sigh with relief and say, “Pain is the price of beauty.” Every time I come in from the arduous task of raking leaves, I remove my muddy garden … Read more
GARDENS OF AGE Despite their best efforts, baby boomers are aging. Even the fittest baby boom gardeners are feeling twinges and pains as once-limber limbs and cooperative joints are transformed into achy appendages. Fortunately most baby boomers’ fingers can still find their way around a keyboard because they are beginning to think about … Read more
GHOSTS OF AMARYLLIS PAST This is the time of year when I generally order–or at least contemplate ordering–hybrid amaryllis or Hippeastrum bulbs for holiday gifts and home display. Though the most stalwart of the dahlias, roses, mums and asters are still flowering, hard frosts are just around the corner and the growing season is … Read more
FOXTAIL GRASS The popularity of ornamental grasses rolls on unabated. From miscanthus to fescue, they are everywhere–in places as diverse as strip mall parking lots and high-end residential landscapes. It is unfashionable to say so, but I can take or leave most of them. Some, like miscanthus or Chinese ribbon grass, are simply too … Read more
