The Gardeners' Apprentice UP A TREE My psyche has cried out for more clematis for the longest time, but I thought that I had no room for new acquisitions. If my garden had traditional axial symmetry, I would create an allée of regularly spaced pillars with clematis and climbing roses twining around them. Unfortunately my small garden … Read more
PIGSQUEAK We don’t hear pigs squeak in the suburbs any more. Local zoning keeps even the most devoted locavores from becoming livestock owners. Some of us do harbor pigsqueak in our gardens though, and more of us should follow suit. “Pigsqueak” is the common name for bergenia, a lovely landscape plant. It is … Read more
SHADY PLOTS About fifteen years ago, the then-owner of my house decided to build a big new garage. I don’t know for sure, but I assume that the original garage was a one-car structure built sometime between 1882, when the house was constructed, and World War Two. Both my neighbors, whose houses are similar … Read more
HELEN DILLON Last year’s Philadelphia Flower Show theme was “Legends of Ireland”. It was a celebration of all things Irish–plants, consumer products, lore, music, art, dance and ideas. It was also a tribute to the recent amazing resurgence of Ireland’s economy. The “Celtic Tiger” made its presence felt in many ways. With its … Read more
EDIBLE ORNAMENTALS I have discovered that I do some of my best garden work when I am motivated by a grand scheme or a master plan. Last year the “garden perfection plan” impelled me to take one year and make the garden as close to perfect as possible. That plan doesn’t really end until … Read more
