Popular magazines live and die by lists. Stand for more than two minutes in the supermarket check-out line and you will see at least ten different compilations of life-changing tips announced in screaming headlines. With titles ranging from “Sixteen Fabulous Ways to Transform Your Holiday Dinner” and “Top Twenty Hollywood Divas,” to “Five Easy Ways … Read more
Suddenly the scales have fallen from my eyes and I have seen Japanese maples for the first time. They have surrounded me forever, but now, after the clean-up from Hurricane Sandy, when so much has been swept away, the Japanese maples seem to stand out in an especially stark and beautiful way. Known botanically as … Read more
A big storm is coming, though, by all rights, the gusts of hyperbole from the media should be enough to blow it out to sea. However, just in case it is as great and terrible as predicted, I have spent the day bringing geraniums indoors and putting away all the garden ornaments. Even the bagged-up … Read more
THE TROUBLE WITH TULIPS Several friends who were more diligent than I about ordering their spring-flowering bulbs have already received their bulb shipments. I await mine, which should arrive any day now. Once again this year I have made every effort to order enough tulips for a stunning floral display next April. I know … Read more
Now that the seasonal clean-up is underway, I am struck once again by the physicality of many garden chores. I am thinking of jobs like trimming the vigorous rose that clambers up our eight-foot tall arch, or pulling down the rampant ivy that threatens the mortar of our high stone foundation. Then of course there … Read more
