Hostas are so reliable, easy to grow and useful that they have become ubiquitous. If they weren’t beloved by slugs and deer, they would probably be the most popular plants in the world. I use them in my garden, but I frequently take them for granted. The leaves–plain or variegated; large or small; apple … Read more
Despite my best efforts, my garden has too few late summer flowers. For years I have been shy about putting in enough dahlias, which will bloom their hearts out given a bit of sunny space and water. They come in so many sizes, shapes and colors that even those, like me, who disdain the flashy … Read more
The adjective “rugose” comes from the Latin word meaning “wrinkled.” The phrase “rugosa rose” means “tougher than nails”—at least in my personal garden dictionary. Rosa rugosa is an eastern Asian species rose, notable for its heavily veined, wrinkly leaves and incredibly prickly stems. The flowers, like those of many rose species, are simple, with five … Read more
There is something heartening about discovering the remnants of past plantings. Our summer cottage sits on property that was part of a farm until the 1920’s, when a wealthy local manufacturer bought it and built a lakeside cabin. My grandparents acquired the land in 1941 and expanded the cottage to its present dimensions. At various … Read more
Goldfinches and thistles are creatures of high summer that share a life-sustaining bond. The common bull or spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) grows and thrives under a wide range of conditions, including many that other plants find inhospitable. Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) frequent the fields, roadsides and other places where thistles are common. I think of the … Read more
