When you think about the intelligent, courageous and, inevitably, flawed people who founded our country, a host of names come to mind. Bernard McMahon’s is not among them. However, McMahon—1775-1816—knew or corresponded with many of the political and horticultural notables of his era. He was a garden mentor to Thomas Jefferson, who may be considered … Read more
Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States when he wrote, “Altho’ the times are big with political events, yet I shall say nothing on that or any subject but the innocent ones of botany and friendship.” Jefferson kept to that resolution in the lengthy letter he posted to his friend and fellow garden enthusiast, … Read more
Late fall is dominated by orange, red, russet and gold, as brilliant leaves, goldenrod and millions of cushion mums crash together in a colorful, season-ending plant eruption. But the prelude to all that brilliance rolls through in early fall, in the form of blue, pink, purple and white asters, boltonia and fall-blooming crocuses. A less … Read more
I saw a woman at the Farmer’s Market last week with a bouquet of huge dahlias. They weren’t quite dinner plate-size, but they would put the average butter plate to shame. It occurred to me then that mid-summer is no time for subtlety. The big, bright colors and shapes of zinnias, cannas, Mexican sunflowers and, … Read more
Bumblebees, those ace pollinators in the fuzzy yellow and black suits, are very fashionable at the moment. And since they are fashionable, the plants that attract them are also extremely popular. I thought of that as I returned from vacation last week and drove by the many swathes of purple-flowered wild bee balm or Monarda … Read more
