spring

Pipevine

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A few years ago, my daughter and I were in a public park, hiking up a steep road in the direction of the highest point in our state. Not far from the summit, a large butterfly stopped to rest on the pavement in front of us. The slender “tails” on the lower wings marked it … Read more

Nodding Violets

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I am a romantic at heart, so I never could have imagined that I would fall madly in love with a plant that sounds like a fairy tale/throat infection mash-up. The plant in question—and the object of my current crush—is Streptocarpella ‘Dancing Doves’. The affair is so successful that I rooted a cutting from the … Read more

Flying Colors

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At this time of the year, all the gardening publications are publishing predictions for next year. This is both exciting and intimidating, especially for those of us who are still competing in the great Race against Frost and trying to finish garden clean-up and bulb planting. Glancing through the predictions, one catches my eye—vibrant color … Read more

Bulb Analysis

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The ordering season for fall-planted bulbs, including daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, starts each year in spring when the flowers appear. It continues through the gardening season until about Halloween, with the few unsold bulbs languishing after that at the back of garden centers’ and nurseries’ display areas. Despite my best efforts at speed and efficiency … Read more

Fall’s Last Daisies

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In 1919, a new popular song invaded the public conscience. Its title was, “How Ya Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree?)” World War I had just ended and many American soldiers had experienced Europe for the first time. Some of those not annihilated in trench warfare had been exposed to … Read more