I admit to a love/hate relationship with houseplants and I don’t need a psychologist to explain it. My deep-seated ambivalence stems from the fact that most of my houseplants are tropicals or tender plants that only cohabit with me during the cold weather months. When night temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they lounge on … Read more
I love the stories of famous gardeners—past and present–and read as many of them as I can. When I noticed that veteran pop biographer Meryl Gordon had written a biography of Bunny Mellon, I had to get my hands on it. Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend is about a woman known … Read more
I was wasting time on the computer the other day because house painters have invaded my outdoor space. Most of the garden is under siege and won’t be available for serious work until the painters leave. I am happy about the fresh paint, but dread putting everything back together. What is the best way for … Read more
For some people, the word “vacation” means trips to the beach and hours spent wallowing in trashy novels. Others wouldn’t go near a beach or a trashy novel, but love to tramp around historical sites, museums or battlefields. It all depends on your definition of another important word— “relaxation”. My husband and I used to … Read more
Whenever I go to the movies, I am very aware of the fact that you have to be a superhero to get any box office traction these days. The horticultural world is full of superheroes—past and present. Most of them would look rather lumpy and feel downright uncomfortable in masks, tights or body armor, so … Read more
