The south side of my property between the front and back gardens has always been the weakest link in the landscape. Next to the house, four tall English hollies dominate the scene. I am sure they were lovely shrubs when they were planted by the previous owner. By the time I arrived, they had grown … Read more
At this time of the year, all the gardening publications are publishing predictions for next year. This is both exciting and intimidating, especially for those of us who are still competing in the great Race against Frost and trying to finish garden clean-up and bulb planting. Glancing through the predictions, one catches my eye—vibrant color … Read more
Several years ago, I read and wrote about Meryl Gordon’s literate and comprehensive biography of Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, garden designer, tastemaker and socialite, who died in 2007. Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend took Bunny through a long and eventful life that included the accomplishment for which she is most often … Read more
Every garden, large or small, has microclimates. Even if your garden consists of a container array on a balcony or a series of window boxes, growing conditions can change depending on where your plants are located. Whether you want beautiful roses, floriferous hydrangeas, or plentiful zucchini, it pays to be mindful of microclimates. My suburban … Read more
Not long ago, Scott Kunst, founder of heirloom bulb purveyor, Old House Gardens, wrote up his simple rules for gardening. Among the most notable were: “weeding is endless–learn to love it”; and “editing is more important than planting. “ I may not love weeding, but most of the time I enjoy it and relish the … Read more
