I love lavender or members of the rather large Lavendula genus, as do most sane gardeners. All the above-ground parts of the small, shrubby plants are fragrant—including leaves, stems and flowers. Of course the tiny blossoms, which are usually shades of purple or blue purple, but may also be pink or white, are the stars … Read more
In two days I am going to Philadelphia to witness the wonders of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which has returned to the Convention Center in that city after a COVID-related absence of three years. I have avoided the flower show-related publicity because I want to be amazed when I walk into the vast hall full … Read more
I love the moment in spring when all the flowering trees and shrubs seem to burst into simultaneous bloom. Depending on the weather, that mass flowering can last a few days or more than a week. It always ends in showers of petals that rival the snow flurries we had up until about three weeks … Read more
Somewhere out in my yard, General Köhler lies sleeping peacefully under a light blanket of snow. I expect he is snoring, or would be, if he were not a hyacinth bulb waiting for the earth to warm up next spring. These days merchandisers frequently name plants according to purported ease of cultivation—“Oso Easy” and “Hasslefree” … Read more
Life has had its ups and downs this past growing season, but in my yard, lavender—Lavendula—has experienced one long “up”. The fragrant herb grows throughout the mixed borders, but is planted en masse in the bed by the driveway that is home to my hybrid musk rose collection. Today, in mid November, one of those … Read more
