Lewisias are beautiful plants that I include, along with ornamental sweet peas, in my litany of horticultural failure. A few years ago, I was smitten by a lovely little pink-flowered lewisia that I saw at a plant sale. I thought I understood its needs, so I brought it home and planted it in a reasonably … Read more
Life is full of dichotomies. I freely admit to falling madly in love with a different plant every few weeks during the growing season, but I am also remarkably faithful to plants that have served me well over many years. Hardy geraniums fall into that latter category. Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are Geraniaceae … Read more
I have a friend who is fond of saying, “the devil is in the details,” and she is right. Ambitious plans have come to a screeching halt because someone forgot the AAA batteries. Failure to tighten a strategically placed button can cause an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. Most of us could make up our own lists … Read more
Crocuses, now appearing in gardens near you, are like tiny rays of light in the sea of winter garden debris. They invite you to look closer and demand that you gently sweep away the detritus around them so that they can be better appreciated. In the gardens of crocus lovers, the little snow crocuses generally … Read more
I have always envied those gardeners who brag about having something in bloom three hundred and sixty-five days a year. Living in a cold winter climate, this is not possible for me, unless I count the houseplants and that, in my opinion, would be cheating. The closest I can get, in mild winters, is about … Read more
