CLARA BUTT Tastes and fashions change, but even at a time when artists go by interesting names like “Lady Gaga,” it is hard to imagine a world renowned singer saddled with the name “Clara Butt.” There was such a person, however, and she lived from 1872 to 1936. The tulip named after her, saved … Read more
THE COPELAND CLAN I love garden catalogs, which is a good thing because I get scores of them every year. Some of the most interesting are specialty catalogs dedicated to a single genus like tomatoes or roses or African violets. It amazes me to think that I could plant my entire garden–or at … Read more
CARPETING A few weeks ago, I wrote about my ongoing study of pioneering Irish gardener and writer, William Robinson (1848-1935). The measure of a good garden writer is the degree to which he or she inspires you to pick up a trowel and run out into your own garden. Though much of his … Read more
LIVINGSTONE DAISY My back porch is large and sunny and has always been the perfect port of call for vacationing indoor plants, not to mention pots of herbs and a few containers of colorful summer-flowering specimens. This year those few pots have swelled into an ocean of flowering annuals, courtesy of my bloom-besotted daughter. … Read more
LAYERS OF MEANING For years I have wondered why I can’t love the ‘Knock Out’ rose. Millions of people sing its praises every day, including some well-known plant pundits. By all accounts it is a stellar garden performer. ‘Knock Out’s confront me at every turn–in private borders and public plantings–but I still can’t warm … Read more
