Entwined in Twine

ENTWINED IN TWINE Sometimes people approach me and ask for the secret of my gardening success. I would never say so, but I suspect some of those people might have to redefine the word “success” if they actually saw my garden. Still, I feel no compunction at all about revealing my secret weapon in the … Read more

Buddleia Redux

BUDDLEIA REDUX Four butterfly bushes grow on my property. I bought three of them; the fourth was a gift from a friend who has since moved away. The gift shrub is a rampant self-seeder, which is probably why its original owner was so anxious to get rid of it. I share that joy by giving … Read more

Silver and Gold

SILVER AND GOLD Last week I wrote about visiting the gardens at a designer show house and being struck by the number of chartreuse or golden-leafed plants used to lighten up dark spaces. I have been thinking about it ever since, and noticing such plants everywhere I go. Another great landscape lightener is silver or … Read more

Fawn Hill Farms

FAWN HILL FARMS Many things burst into bloom at this time of year, including designer show houses, which generally pop up in areas fertilized by significant amounts of money. For at least a couple of months in high show house season, fans of interior and garden design can scout the latest trends, evaluate the work … Read more

Anemonella

ANEMONELLA Anemonella sounds like a disease caused by anemone-shaped bacteria. It is not. Anemonella is neither a disease nor an anemone. It is, in fact, a lovely woodland plant and I am completely smitten by it. Not long ago, I caught a glimpse of a white, double-flowered anemonella lounging seductively on a sheltered porch at … Read more