Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States when he wrote, “Altho’ the times are big with political events, yet I shall say nothing on that or any subject but the innocent ones of botany and friendship.” Jefferson kept to that resolution in the lengthy letter he posted to his friend and fellow garden enthusiast, … Read more
When I am alone in my garden in late October I often think about music, especially Ralph Vaughn Williams’ elegiac settings of English folk tunes. My favorite is the haunting “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” because the musical images just seem right for the season of variable weather, early sunsets and mornings when the grass glistens with … Read more
Last weekend, I found the gardenalia store of my dreams in a Pennsylvania town. Like many wondrous finds, it happened by accident. Like many wondrous finds in the northeastern United States, it happened because I couldn’t find a parking place. As I walked the half mile from the parking lot to my destination—a quaint village … Read more
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
