Be Kind to Your House Plants

Be Kind to Your House Plants

January 23, 2018

It’s time. With holiday decorations put away, it’s time for all good house plants to get attention. Long suffering through summer when the outdoor plants rule, our house plants have settled in for winter and are showing the affects of dry air and root constriction. The patient Robusta Snake Plant (probably the oldest plant we own) has been suffering quietly in a short ceramic pot that just doesn’t have enough depth for root growth. I FINALLY got her into a larger pot, lightly tied up for now until she can stabilize. I’m pretty sure I’ve been over watering too. Snake
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The New You in 2018

The New You in 2018

January 2, 2018

New Year’s offers an opportunity for reflection that I generally resist.  I think the biggest mistake about aging we can make is expecting that life will always remain the same. It doesn’t. As a gardener, I’ve learned principles about change that also apply to new life at any age. Related Images:
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Happy Thanksgiving Early!

Happy Thanksgiving Early!

November 21, 2017

From Montreal. This year I’m thankful for a brief visit to Canada. Could it become more than a visit? Only time will tell. At least we have our passports now.  And I’m grateful not to have to cook turkey this year – or any giant side dishes designed to overstuff. This isn’t the first year we’ve taken a “bye” for Thanksgiving and I strongly recommend it every five years or so. Related Images:
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In Search of Beauty Everywhere

In Search of Beauty Everywhere

November 18, 2017

An American Beautyberry (sometimes called a French Mulberry) brings great color to a late fall garden. Its shiny purple fruit is a marked contrast to curling dry hosta leaves.  Beautyberry fruit is loved by birds and deer alike. Wait a minute, did I say deer???? Hmm.  The warm weather is pretty much finished here in New England and no kind of flower is left standing.  Planting is finally over for the season and I had the courage to stop buying bulbs this week. The ground is just too hard to cultivate! Besides, it’s time to find beauty inside for the
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The Sound of Silence

The Sound of Silence

November 14, 2017

The forecast for this morning was “a wintry mix by 10:00” so it made sense to jump out of bed and put the bulbs in before breakfast. Later, as I ran down to empty the wheelbarrow of leaves and branches, I heard it. The sound of silence. Related Images:
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Tulips: Cultivating the Right Attitude

Tulips: Cultivating the Right Attitude

November 11, 2017

You have to begin with a nod to their roots. Tulips are natives of Eastern Turkey and the foothills of the Himalaya. They don’t belong here. Whether they behave as annuals or perennials is largely beyond our control. If you go in with that attitude it might be less stressful. (I’m working on our Paola Prints pillow listing for Amazon- The photo above shows you the progress). After much consternation (mine) I’m approaching the finish line and hope to go live very soon. Wish us luck! Related Images:
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New England in Season

New England in Season

November 7, 2017

We were away last week and during that time, summer ended in Connecticut. It was almost a relief. You know how that works? We came home to lots of branches down from a rainstorm and wilted plants that couldn’t sustain the incoming cold. As much as I adore the spring-summer flowers, I also love seeing the changes that fall in New England brings. New England is in season now. Related Images:
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Sampling the Seductive Hoh Rainforest

Sampling the Seductive Hoh Rainforest

November 4, 2017

The Hoh Rainforest, located in the Hoh River Valley in Olympia National Park, Washington State, is a treasure any gardener would drool over. In some sense, my year-old formal garden is a radically different environment. It will be years before our plants offer real cover for migrating wildlife. Thus far, we host a modest collection of bumblebees, butterflies and the occasional hummingbird. It’s a work in progress. Related Images:
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Garden Design as Outdoor Theater

Garden Design as Outdoor Theater

October 21, 2017

I recently discovered a landscape architect named Steve Martino, based in Arizona. He creates artwork through landscape design.  Given the arid nature of the surroundings, it makes sense that his color palette is frequently shades of green and bright orange. Interesting enough, even though we live in New England, the colors are a close match to our wonderful autumn colors. Related Images:
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