Planting anything is an investment in hope and optimism. You put a seed or young plant in the ground because you believe that with time and care, it will turn into something that resembles the gorgeous specimen on the plant tag or catalog page. It might also give you flowers, food, or shade. The whole … Read more
In 1928, a year before the onset of the Great Depression, the Carter Family, of folk and country music fame, recorded a song, “Keep on the Sunny Side”, that was originally written as a hymn. It became one of their standards and has lifted spirits ever since. The refrain is as follows: Keep on the … Read more
Cold, rainy days on the edge of spring are a big challenge. My gardener’s heart wants to be outside, clearing debris, uncovering the green shoots and pruning the roses. Common sense says that the beds are muddy, the leaves and debris are wet, and the return on garden effort will be minimal. I could clean … Read more
Thomas Jefferson collected many things, including plants. But there was one specimen that he could never lay hands on: Vigna caracalla or corkscrew vine. Writing to one of his plant suppliers, Jefferson described the flowering vine, a member of the legume or Fabiaceae family, as “the most beautiful bean in the world.” I think of … Read more
Last week I was considering dahlia selections, because I want to plant lots of them in my front border come spring. Dazzled by the sizes, colors and configurations of the available dahlias, I was especially struck by one, ‘Café au Lait’. The catalog quoted a description from Brides.com that characterized its color as “creamy pink, … Read more
