The economy is showing some signs of recovery, but news from various parts of the horticultural industry remains ominous. One of my favorite nurseries, Matterhorn, in Spring Valley, New York, closed abruptly in April of this year, after struggling to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Heronswood Nursery, which had been purchased by Burpee Seeds in … Read more
A big storm is coming, though, by all rights, the gusts of hyperbole from the media should be enough to blow it out to sea. However, just in case it is as great and terrible as predicted, I have spent the day bringing geraniums indoors and putting away all the garden ornaments. Even the bagged-up … Read more
THE TROUBLE WITH TULIPS Several friends who were more diligent than I about ordering their spring-flowering bulbs have already received their bulb shipments. I await mine, which should arrive any day now. Once again this year I have made every effort to order enough tulips for a stunning floral display next April. I know … Read more
Now that the seasonal clean-up is underway, I am struck once again by the physicality of many garden chores. I am thinking of jobs like trimming the vigorous rose that clambers up our eight-foot tall arch, or pulling down the rampant ivy that threatens the mortar of our high stone foundation. Then of course there … Read more
There is something about autumn crocus that induces amnesia. I know where I planted the bulbs of the blue and white-flowered Crocus speciosus and Crocus speciosus ‘Albus’ this year, but I have completely forgotten where I installed crocuses in previous years. This only happens with the fall-blooming kind. I can tell you where all the … Read more
