Plant taxonomists are the scientists who make it their business to classify the world’s flora according to common characteristics. In the last thirty years or so, DNA has become a major player in this effort. Now plants that dirt gardeners, horticulturists and plant scientists only suspected of family relationships have been grouped or regrouped based … Read more
I hate to brag, but my hellebores are glorious. Little plants that I bought several years ago and installed in my front strip on a wing and a prayer have arrived at maturity. The gentle, open winter, with few really cold days and little snow has been a tonic for them, coaxing them into bud … Read more
On the garden magic scale, butterflies rank pretty high, but I think hummingbirds stand even higher. On a normal spring or summer day—provided that your chosen habitat is not a glass office tower—you will probably catch a glimpse of a butterfly, even if it is only a common cabbage white. The arrival of a hummingbird, … Read more
Lewisias are beautiful plants that I include, along with ornamental sweet peas, in my litany of horticultural failure. A few years ago, I was smitten by a lovely little pink-flowered lewisia that I saw at a plant sale. I thought I understood its needs, so I brought it home and planted it in a reasonably … Read more
Life is full of dichotomies. I freely admit to falling madly in love with a different plant every few weeks during the growing season, but I am also remarkably faithful to plants that have served me well over many years. Hardy geraniums fall into that latter category. Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are Geraniaceae … Read more
