Some day I am going to open a school to train professional gardeners. I have ample proof that such a school is much needed. After spending years tending my gardens and those of others, not to mention fraternizing with landscape designers and garden lovers, I have discovered a universal truth. Lots of horticulturally-inclined people want … Read more
People generally ignore trees. This is because most of the time trees quietly present us with gifts like shade, cleaner air, erosion protection and beauty while asking little in return. On the rare occasions when trees break the surface of our consciousness, we generally criticize them for shedding branches in storms, dropping leaves and/or litter … Read more
When the majority of people and gardens are young, they can get by on natural beauty and freshness. Nothing matches the dewy allure of humans in their twenties and perennials in their first few years. But when maturity sets in, good grooming makes all the difference. My grandmother and lots of other grandmothers have said … Read more
If you happen to be a flashy individual who changes your name every few years and carries on colorfully in public places, you might be called a “performance artist”, or possibly something even more descriptive. If you were to morph into plant form and do the same thing, gardeners would simply ignore all the name … Read more
The great American garden writer, Elizabeth Lawrence, famously said, “No one gardens alone.” The truth of those words shows in my garden every day. Ninety percent of the landscape and tending falls to me; the rest is done by others. Fortunately, given the state of my bank accounts, I don’t have to pay them anything. … Read more
