IRIS PALLIDA At this time of the year, the number of plants in the average northeastern garden that still look good is small. Some of the roses have nice hips, the barberries sport brilliant fruits and, of course, the evergreens provide excellent structure. If you have roses-of-Sharon, the seed heads are looking their best … Read more
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
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
STANDARDIZATION I have always hated trimming shrubs–and by trimming I am referring to the taming of our long privet hedges by clipping them straight across the top to achieve a level height. Even now that I have violated my personal rule about power tools and mastered the electric hedge trimmer, the task is tedious. … Read more
