A few weeks ago, I vowed that if I had an arboretum, I would include Japanese stewartia, for its beautiful, camellia-like flowers. As is often the case, a stewartia popped up in front of me just a few days later. Despite the recent infernal temperatures, it was not a heat-induced mirage. I was on a … Read more
Early summer is daisy time, with daisy family species like Shastas, echinacea and coreopsis holding forth in multi-petaled radiance. But all the daisies in the world cannot outshine the tall trumpet lilies that are also making glorious music in gardens right now. Regal lilies or Lilium regale, with their voluptuous, golden-throated trumpets, are among the … Read more
Not long ago, Scott Kunst, founder of heirloom bulb purveyor, Old House Gardens, wrote up his simple rules for gardening. Among the most notable were: “weeding is endless–learn to love it”; and “editing is more important than planting. “ I may not love weeding, but most of the time I enjoy it and relish the … Read more
The past couple of weeks have seen an explosion of the opulent flowers of late spring—gorgeous, multi-petaled roses, big fluffy peonies, and the complicated, twining blooms of double clematis. The abundance is magnificent, but almost overwhelming. Now that a couple of downpours have put paid to all those petals, I am refreshed by the simpler … Read more
I have always wanted an arboretum. The world is full of beautiful trees and woody plants and if someone were to hand me a few extra acres—say 50 or so—I would grow more of them. Right now, as the great spring flowering continues to unfold; I feel the lack of an arboretum most keenly. I … Read more
