Splendor in the Onion Grass

SPLENDOR IN THE ONION GRASS             Onion grass leaps forth from the earth in March and April, heralding the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring.  It is one of the seasonal scourges of lawn-proud suburbanites and the mowing crews who service those lawns.              If you saw a clump of onion grass that had … Read more

Marsh Marigold

MARSH MARIGOLD             I often walk in the glen that runs through the center of my town.  Parts of the area have been left in a semi-natural state and during the growing season I look for, and frequently find, flowers.  Early spring brings several patches of snowdrops, which were probably “planted” by light-fingered squirrels that … Read more

Daffodil Pairs

DAFFODIL PAIRS             Yesterday I was having a haircut and discussing daffodils with the stylist.  My daffodils are up and blooming and last season at this time, hers were in the same situation.  This season, however, is a different story.  Why?  Because her husband removed all the daffodils from their garden.  In my family, this … Read more

Rosa Mundi

ROSA MUNDI             All winter I have been having a crisis of conscience about the enormous stand of miscanthus grass that presides over an area on the south side of my house.  Now, just as the light has returned to the landscape after winter’s darkness, I have seen the future of the miscanthus, and it … Read more

Tulip Dilemma

TULIP DILEMMA             Right now, as the first daffodils are opening in the warmer, more sheltered spots in my home town, I am awash in a high tide of gardening magazines.  Their pages are overflowing with gorgeous photo spreads of spring gardens and all of those gardens are full of tulips.  The bright flowers are … Read more