The Caretaker

I am a grandmother, which is hardly unusual.  Like all grandparents, I like to brag that my grandchildren are unique. But that word is actually an understatement–all my grandchildren are geraniums.  They belong to my daughter, who buys them, installs them in elegant pots and fusses over them like any other doting parent.  She is … Read more

Jane Loudon

JANE LOUDON             I first “met” Jane C. Webb Loudon when I developed an interest in botanical art some time ago.  A local dealer offered some original prints of Mrs. Loudon’s botanical illustrations and I fell in love with them.  Those prints started me off on a small-time collecting hobby and now, even when the … Read more

Iznik

IZNIK             We are currently enjoying a mild winter, but even so, I miss my garden and the flowers that provide me with inspiration during the growing season.  My front beds are full of clusters of emerging daffodil tips, but instead of giving me joy, their presence this early worries me.  The holly trees are … Read more

Book Review: Mr. Marshal’s Flower Book

BOOK REVIEW:  Mr. Marshal’s Flower Book               I love garden books so much that my bookshelves are listing under the weight of my collection.  Reference volumes have always been in the minority on my shelves because I favor books that go beyond the “how” of gardening, to the “why” of gardening.  After all, I … Read more

Moths in Flight

MOTHS IN FLIGHT             For years I turned my back on the seductive charms of orchids.  Though clearly beautiful in color and form, they also seemed exotic to the point of being unnatural.  On the practical side, I have never been sure that I could sustain the level of commitment required by orchids.  Maybe it … Read more