It is clear from even a brief tour around the garden that extensive squirrel landscaping has happened over the past half year. Little “tommie’ crocuses, or Crocus tommasinianus, sprouted weeks ago in the lawn and other areas far removed from where the bulbs were originally planted. Now, having played their role in the early spring … Read more
Early spring is usually the time for the little flowers, like snowdrops, winter aconite and crocus. Though their stature is small, they emerge from the winter-drab earth in flashes of color. After a few weeks they give way to the flashier daffodils and tulips, which in turn bow out in favor of peonies and roses, … Read more
True blue flowers don’t happen every day, but when they do, their beauty is heart-stopping. A few years ago, my daughter, the queen of container growing, had a heart-stopping moment with Lithodora diffusa, a small, perennial, ground-covering plant with true blue flowers. She thought it was perfect for a mixed container arrangement. I thought it … Read more
Long ago I heard an old recording of Marlene Dietrich, early twentieth century German chanteuse and style icon, singing one of her signature ballads. The words go, “Falling in love again, in love again. Falling in love again, can’t help it.” I know the feeling. On my recent vacation a dwarf bearded iris caught my … Read more
I saw the season’s first grape hyacinth yesterday. It was a little early, but clearly it was positioned in the best possible spot and flowered bravely despite making an appearance on a day when temperatures were more wintery than spring-like. Had I been willing to get down on my knees to sniff its small flowerhead, … Read more
