You can tell a lot about a culture by the word its citizens use to describe the insect we call “butterfly”. German butterflies have such a weighty-sounding name–“schmetterling”—that it’s a wonder they manage to take to the air. The French and Italians allow their butterflies to float along as “papillon” or “farfalla”. Spaniards delight in … Read more
Friends often ask me to identify mystery plants and those identification attempts sometimes lead me on voyages of discovery. Not long ago I took one of those trips. My friend asked me to look at a mystery tree growing only about two blocks from my house. I had only a few available minutes, but I … Read more
I have a soft spot for those who restore old gardens–clearing overgrowth, rediscovering features and researching original plantings and layouts. It is tough work, requiring a combination of intellect, enthusiasm and physical strength, and it can go on for years. Funding can be a special challenge. The world has so many pressing needs that it … Read more
Not long ago I gave a garden talk at the monthly meeting of a wonderful local garden club. They were, like so many passionate gardeners, warm and friendly and devoted to many aspects of horticulture—ecology, hands-on gardening and growing and showing flowers to perfection. It was heady company. The members work as horticulture volunteers at … Read more
At this time of the year I am reminded of the old Protestant hymn, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” It celebrates the celestial and actual harvest with a refrain that goes: “Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;…” The “sheaves” I will bring in later today are … Read more
