GLADIOLUS In my experience, men and women differ in their appreciation of gladiolus. Several women of my acquaintance call them “funeral flowers,” and even though mums and roses appear just as often in undertaking establishments, the women scorn only glads. Other female friends dislike the statuesque stalks because they appear “stiff” or “formal”. My … Read more
HARD TIMES GARDEN In the past few months I have read scores of articles in gardening and shelter media about gardening in “these times”. With banks collapsing, mass layoffs taking place and the stock market headed steadily downward, the green-fingered pundits have been just as busy as the political and financial experts. Every … Read more
MOURNING WIDOW I have to admit that it is hard to recommend that people spice up their gardens with a plant nicknamed “the mourning widow.” To add insult to injury, the authoritative guide Hortus Third, describes the species’ flower color as “sordid lilac.” Both those phrases sound positively Victorian and completely uninspiring. In reality, … Read more
SPRY ARRANGEMENTS Between the current recession and the high cost of cut flowers, many florists are relying on alternative plant materials to make up arrangements. Curly willow shows up in all the best places, along with ornamental cabbage, dried seed pods and interesting branches plucked from dormant shrubs and trees. Fruit–especially green apples, oranges … Read more
