In spring you notice all the flowering trees that have been hiding in plain sight for the rest of the year. Right now, the striking Kousa dogwoods or Cornus kousa, are strutting their stuff, with large, white, four-petaled flowers that boast green centers. The trees are anonymous to all but their most loyal followers three … Read more
My county has some of the loveliest public parks around, with long, winding roads, beautiful trees and winsome water features. The paths through these parks are among my favorite walking routes. I was out walking not long ago and spotted a clump of yellow flag iris or Iris pseudacorus on the edge of a large, … Read more
I have columbine or Aquilegia vulgaris growing in my garden—and occasionally in the grass, rock wall crevices, cracks between pavers, and just about anywhere else that that is home to more than an atom of soil. I regard this as a blessing, because most of them are self sown specimens that flourish with absolutely no … Read more
I have always wanted to visit Virginia for Garden Week, a seven or eight day extravaganza during which notable homes and gardens all over the state are open to the public. This year I finally had the chance to get to Virginia and it was a feast for the senses. One of the best parts … Read more
I am very partial to yellow flowers—especially those that don’t normally bloom in that hue. I was one of the first gardeners of my acquaintance to buy ‘Barzella’, a yellow-flowered interspecies hybrid peony that represented a color breakthrough for peonies. A few years ago, I paid a premium for a newly-rediscovered heirloom yellow hyacinth. My … Read more
