general interest

Oh Deer!

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OH DEER!             Two weeks ago I was standing in line at the deli when I heard someone behind me say, “I saw two deer yesterday–big ones–right on the front lawn.”             Then, a few days later, I went to an end-of-season party at the little public garden in my town.  I was sipping punch … Read more

Real Life and Country Living

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REAL LIFE AND COUNTRY LIVING             Sometimes, when it is too hot outside, or the garden chores seem onerous, I seek escape.  My friends and family know that I am addicted to garden magazines and shelter magazines with garden sections.  When I seek escape, I turn to my magazine pile and for a few minutes … Read more

Plantain

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PLANTAIN             In many parts of America, it is possible to eat fried plantain while sitting near a bed of plantain lilies and wondering what product to use to rid the lawn of common plantain.  How can the same word describe hostas, edible relatives of the common banana and garden weeds?  The plantain phenomenon is … Read more

Painted Tongue

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PAINTED TONGUE I have a lot of horticultural “book learning”, but I think that I gain even more knowledge from hands-on gardening in my own little domain. I also try to visit other gardens as often as possible. That’s what I did last week on a trip to Cornish, New Hampshire. Those who have studied … Read more

Plumbago Crazy

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PLUMBAGO             This is the time of year when lovers of all things blue revel in the garden’s bounty.  Blue hydrangeas are everywhere–or at least everywhere with acid soil–and both mophead and lacecap varieties are producing abundant blue flowerheads.  This is one of those summers that hydrangea lovers celebrate.  The spring was mild, with no … Read more