Say the word “frangipani” to me and I think of a delicious almond pastry cream used in Italian tarts, cake and other delicacies. If you eat French pastries, you will know the same custard as “frangipane”. Either way, it is delicious and harbors the sweet smell of almonds. Tropical plant fanciers know frangipani as a … Read more
I was born an optimist. I was probably born a gardener, too, though that didn’t manifest itself until after I could walk and talk. It is in my nature to look for signs of hope, especially in the natural world. Thankfully, those signs are almost always present, if you look carefully. As the New Year … Read more
I have a friend of the clerical persuasion who is a wonderful gardener. When I say “wonderful”, I don’t mean that his suburban lot looks like Longwood Gardens. I mean that when he sets his mind to growing something well, it grows exceptionally well. This is because he understands the “why” of gardening as well … Read more
Fragrances and music have a tendency to seep right into your head and stay there. This past week, as the predicted “snowpocalypse” turned into a “sno-vereaction,” the scent of a particular primrose took up residence in my brain. Now I am on a quest for similar scented beauties for my spring garden. The brain take-over … Read more
These days plant dealers need specimens that do the following things: look good ninety-eight percent of the time; provide reliable color or interest; perform in part shade; flourish in gardens or containers and require very little care. Breeders have slaved over certain perennial plant genera, including heuchera, tiarella and brunnera, in an effort to produce … Read more
