SUPERMARKET HELLEBORES Plants can grow in all kinds of unlikely places. Tiny alpine specimens find footholds in rock crevices. Cacti bloom in the desert. Now, it seems, hellebores grow in supermarkets. Innovations arising from globalized plant breeding efforts have moved us forward another step–I think. At this time of year, the supermarkets’ plant and flower … Read more
HOLIDAY CACTUS Some plants are instant gratification items. In December that category usually includes poinsettias and, sad to say, the beautiful, floriferous cyclamen. The problem is that both are greenhouse-grown and forced into bloom for the holidays. Keeping them healthy and bringing about rebloom is a long-term proposition and not many people are willing to … Read more
THE DUALITY OF HOLLY There are certain times when I dislike the large holly trees in my front yard. I curse their spiny leaves when I have to get on my knees and weed the beds in their vicinity. It doesn’t matter how thick the gloves are or the kneepads, I invariable get stabbed … Read more
BETH CHATTO The fall clean-up has brought me face to face, once again, with the difficult areas of my garden. One of these trouble spots lurks in the front. It is home to an array of plants already, but it still looks flat, shady and uninteresting. Another bed, in the back, is slightly less … Read more
KNOTTY PROBLEM The other day I was looking at a print that resembled a Delft tile. The focal point was a quatrefoil enclosing a vase of stylized flowers. The symmetry, flowers and unbroken outline reminded me of a knot garden, a form of planting I have admired for years. Now that the gardening season … Read more
