COMMON SENSE In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet that addressed ordinary people and urged them to embrace the cause of freedom from England. As I scan the Internet gardening sites, chat rooms and blogs, I feel the need for a horticultural Tom Paine to urge ordinary gardeners to re-embrace common sense. … Read more
RESTRAINT I went over the edge last week. So did ‘City of York’, a climbing rose with large white flowers that grows in a raised bed next to my garage. The expansive shrub was attached to a trellis that was in turn screwed into the garage wall. This spring’s weekly wind-storms had apparently loosened … Read more
HYSSOP BY ANY OTHER NAME A clergyman friend wanted some hyssop to use during a religious service. This was perfectly appropriate, since the herb, used in sacred purification rites since ancient times, is mentioned in the Book of Psalms, as well as in the New Testament. As is always the case in churches, … Read more
SWINGING SINGLES A few years ago a windstorm blew through my garden and tore a large branch off ‘Sally Holmes’, one of my favorite roses. The branch was covered with fat yellowish-ivory buds and big, white five-petaled flowers with prominent golden stamens. I took the branch inside, cut it into manageable stems and arranged … Read more
STANDING TALL Last week a tempest flew through our town, assaulting us with wind, rain and hail. Power lines came down along with tree limbs and occasionally, whole trees. The streets were strewn with debris and in some cases people didn’t get power back for days. When I inspected my own yard, I gave … Read more
