There are days when I want to live in the moment, celebrate the quotidian experience and relish immediate delights—like the many stands of snowdrops currently on display in various parts of my garden. Other days, I am drawn to the past; especially when I think about people and places that exist only in memory. Being … Read more
Most of the time I strive for a garden where mounds of perennials and annual flowers meld together in a colorful tapestry. Plants are staggered by height in an artistic manner and tranquility reigns. The image, at least in my mind, is idyllic. Right now though, I am looking for a little more excitement. I … Read more
There are two kinds of guilt—guilt for things done and guilt for things left undone. Most people suffer from one or the other, or both, from time to time. Some of us, especially those who have either had mothers and/or been mothers, are masters at the art of guilt, whether we lay it on … Read more
Rosa laevigata, has acquired a host of nicknames over its long history, but is most often called “the Cherokee rose”. It is native to China, but has been in North America so long and acclimated so well that many people think of it as an indiginous wildflower. Its longevity and popularity is also due to … Read more
We are a long way from the ancient Greeks, but their gods and mythological heroes are still with us in many plant names. One of the loveliest ancient deities in our gardens is Iris, goddess of the rainbow, whose namesake flowers stand tall each spring. I can’t think of an ugly iris, but I am … Read more
