THE TROUBLE WITH IRIS There is little that can compare with a well-grown stand of tall, bearded iris in full bloom. Their great big, multi-colored heads stand proudly atop substantial stalks, which are anchored by thick sword-shaped leaves. If the catalogs and websites that I use are any indication, there are at least a … Read more
PLANT GIFTS/PLANT TRENDS Every year about this time one of the big garden wholesalers sends me a box of tiny perennial plants to try in my home garden. These plants, which are mostly hybrids, are either new to the market or new to the particular wholesaler’s inventory. The vendor always includes an evaluation form … Read more
EDIBLES ON THE WAY My goal this year is to incorporate edibles among my ornamentals and the plan is beginning to take shape. Today I set out an entire flat of June bearing strawberry plants in two separate sunny beds. Since strawberries and roses favor the same conditions, I put the latter near a … Read more
DOGWOODS A friend of mine just got married. He is a relative newcomer to this immediate area and loves our spring-flowering trees, especially the dogwoods. A few weeks ago he called me to ask whether I thought the dogwoods would be in bloom for his rehearsal dinner on May first. Like all good gardeners … Read more
TAKE IT EASY I was out in the garden today–planting, weeding, trimming and rearranging things. Just as I was about to divide a large clump of grape hyacinths, I became aware of the unmistakable sound of the Eagles singing the refrain of one of their best-known songs: “Take it easy, take it easy. Don’t … Read more
