Central New York– The wildflowers in Central New York this year are more sparse than in most summers and often stunted. Drought in late June and early July put a damper on normal development. Even the stalwart Queen Anne’s lace is shorter and the frilly parasol-like flowerheads are smaller. In the roadside drainage ditches there … Read more
When I am doing battle with the English ivy at home, I am convinced there is nothing worse. It inveigles its way into the garden beds, climbs the sides of the house and races up and over the perimeter fence. Some days it scales the trees faster than the squirrels. If you tear it off … Read more
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is one of the best blue-flowered plants around and at this time of the year it is ubiquitous–by roadsides, nudging hedgerows and even making appearances in vacant city lots. The woody stems, rather nondescript leaves and modest buds are nothing to write home about. The flowers, though, distill the color of the … Read more
I have long wanted to grow my favorite fruit, peaches, in my garden, but have never quite managed to do so. Now, however, I have had an encouraging sign from the horticultural deities. I was intrigued by a New York State historical marker that I saw on my vacation that alluded to the fruit. The … Read more
When I go on vacation, I do two things–try to visit significant gardens near my vacation spot and make note of the vegetation (domestic and otherwise) around me. There is no better way to get to know a particular place than to familiarize yourself with the flowers, trees and shrubs that grow there. I usually … Read more
