GLAMOROUS CROTON\ I have never had much use for those garden pundits who say flowers are overrated and that true horticultural sophisticates eschew blossoms in favor of the many splendors of foliage. I love flowers and refuse to apologize for it. Yes, they are ephemeral, but so are brownies, butterflies and lots of other … Read more
RIGHT PLANT: RIGHT RECIPIENT There are days when life is so laden with complications that my head feels like Humpty Dumpy after he took the great fall. Instead of wallowing in the pain, I do what any plant enthusiast would do–go to the garden center. At this time of the year, plant merchandisers’ … Read more
CLARA BUTT Tastes and fashions change, but even at a time when artists go by interesting names like “Lady Gaga,” it is hard to imagine a world renowned singer saddled with the name “Clara Butt.” There was such a person, however, and she lived from 1872 to 1936. The tulip named after her, saved … Read more
LOST AND FOUND GARDENS Almost three weeks after the late October snowstorm that created havoc all up and down the East Coast and cost the region thousands of trees, my garden is still a mess. We are waiting for the tree company to come and remove a very large, downed limb that hovers over … Read more
FOSTER GERANIUMS The houseplants that summered outside are now under cover once more. If they were sentient beings, they would probably be relieved. After all, they have been through a lot. Their tranquil summer vacation was interrupted dramatically when they were piled at random in the garage just before Hurricane Irene. Due to the … Read more
