DAISY FLEABANE The Compositae or daisy family is huge and its members are everywhere, from the toniest gardens to vacant lots. If you have ever cultivated–deliberately or by accident–cosmos, coreopsis, Shasta daisies, ox-eye daisies, sunflowers, helenium, chrysanthemums, Gaillardia or asters; you have been involved with daisies. These days you could fill an entire large garden … Read more
JUNE STRAWBERRIES One day last week I had strawberries for lunch–nothing else, just strawberries. Why? Because I picked almost a quart from my garden and it was the very first time I had gotten such a large harvest all at once. Strawberries are best consumed as soon as possible after they are purchased or picked, … Read more
ENTWINED IN TWINE Sometimes people approach me and ask for the secret of my gardening success. I would never say so, but I suspect some of those people might have to redefine the word “success” if they actually saw my garden. Still, I feel no compunction at all about revealing my secret weapon in the … Read more
FAWN HILL FARMS Many things burst into bloom at this time of year, including designer show houses, which generally pop up in areas fertilized by significant amounts of money. For at least a couple of months in high show house season, fans of interior and garden design can scout the latest trends, evaluate the work … Read more
ANEMONELLA Anemonella sounds like a disease caused by anemone-shaped bacteria. It is not. Anemonella is neither a disease nor an anemone. It is, in fact, a lovely woodland plant and I am completely smitten by it. Not long ago, I caught a glimpse of a white, double-flowered anemonella lounging seductively on a sheltered porch at … Read more
