PLANTAIN In many parts of America, it is possible to eat fried plantain while sitting near a bed of plantain lilies and wondering what product to use to rid the lawn of common plantain. How can the same word describe hostas, edible relatives of the common banana and garden weeds? The plantain phenomenon is … Read more
FILLING HOLES Right now in my garden the roses are in the midst of their August sulk, waiting for the Japanese beetles and the sticky heat to clear out. The Shasta daisies are a beautiful memory and even many of the coneflowers are looking a little long in the tooth. The non-fragrant purple flowers … Read more
PAINTED TONGUE I have a lot of horticultural “book learning”, but I think that I gain even more knowledge from hands-on gardening in my own little domain. I also try to visit other gardens as often as possible. That’s what I did last week on a trip to Cornish, New Hampshire. Those who have studied … Read more
MIDSUMMER Like many Americans, I am not quite sure whether I will get a summer vacation at all this year. That means that my “vacation” will probably consist of time in the garden. All things considered, that is not a bad thought. Maybe I will finally have the time to deal a death blow … Read more
PLUMBAGO This is the time of year when lovers of all things blue revel in the garden’s bounty. Blue hydrangeas are everywhere–or at least everywhere with acid soil–and both mophead and lacecap varieties are producing abundant blue flowerheads. This is one of those summers that hydrangea lovers celebrate. The spring was mild, with no … Read more
