This year I acquired a camellia, and not just any camellia, but Camellia japonica, the kind that I have long coveted in greenhouses and other high-toned, enclosed locales. Where does my camellia live? Outdoors in the middle of my back garden—not exactly a “protected place.” Now, in the beginning of December, the camellia has fat … Read more
Suddenly the scales have fallen from my eyes and I have seen Japanese maples for the first time. They have surrounded me forever, but now, after the clean-up from Hurricane Sandy, when so much has been swept away, the Japanese maples seem to stand out in an especially stark and beautiful way. Known botanically as … Read more
BOOK REVIEW: THE QUEST FOR THE ROSE One of my favorite horticultural subjects is roses and I have lots of books on them. In Search of Lost Roses, Thomas Christopher’s 2002 book on “rose rustling” and the discovery of old rose varieties in out-of-the-way places, is one of the best. Another is A Rose … Read more
Most of us who live in cold winter climates get sick of winter just about the time that sleet, ice, snow and gray days really get going. That depressing period generally starts after the first of the year, when the holiday excitement is long gone, along with the decorations. Living spaces are bare, New Year’s … Read more
I have been thinking lately about good, easy to grow low hedges for my upper back garden. A garden center display reminded me about an old favorite–Teucrium chamaedrys or wall germander. This evergreen member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family has long been used in herb and knot gardens. From my perspective, part of its value … Read more
