The Exotic Parrot Tulip

A mysterious variety requiring a little more attention. And nothing ate the parrot tulips- even as other varieties got chomped. Have your tulips been eaten this year? Mine have! Even a hosta spear was gutted. Since this is the enclosed garden’s second year, perhaps the creatures have just discovered a new produce source. Related Images:
Read More

Spring is Almost Sprung, Ya Think?

The “robbing” robins are back. Spring is just about here. The large robin I spied out the kitchen door was busily gathering up detritus for its new nest. When it landed on top of the bamboo fence I knew where it was headed -to the front door light sconce- a favorite spot. Four times we’ve now cleared and hidden the nest supplies. Wait, is it possible we could use these guys to clean the garden? Related Images:
Read More

The Wonder of Fairy Tales

Historically, fairy tales have provided an important building block in literature and also in peoples lives. Also called “wonder” tales, fairy tales are stories about living that share universal themes across culture and history. Good over evil, a reverence for aging, beauty, magic, kings, queens, life and death. Related Images:
Read More

Life is Beautiful

It’s blowing and snowing like crazy outside. Beautiful to see. Do you love it? Part of it is knowing we’re winding down to Spring in style. Working for oneself does have an upside. You don’t drive out in a storm. And usually you can work from home when the weather is bad. Related Images:
Read More

Living in Color Balance

As an artist I’m forever driven by a desire to achieve balance in all creative efforts- whether decorative pillow,  living room, or garden. In researching formal garden design I discovered that much consideration was first given to a garden layout based on points of access and egress. The colors one chooses to plant are realized later overtime as you live through the seasons. I struggled with where to start! Related Images:
Read More

In Search of American Handmade

Things handmade have increasingly become products from overseas. You see it most often in home décor items made in Mexico, Iran, Korea and China- most anywhere but in the U.S. The story of material and its fabrication is an ancient one and has its roots in far away lands. Maybe we’ve returned to that time. Or not. Related Images:
Read More

Sampling the Seductive Hoh Rainforest

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:
Read More

Dreaming in Chagall Color

I’ve always enjoyed the work of Marc Chagall. Moishe Segalin (Marc Chagall) was born in Lithuania in the town of Vitebsk in 1887. Half of the town’s 60,000 inhabitants, including Chagall, were Jewish and considered outsiders in the larger, frequently hostile society. Jewish market-villages formed throughout today’s Eastern Europe had their own markets, schools, hospitals, and other community institutions. Limited movement and banned from public schools meant that Jewish people lived and worked sometimes their entire lives in one place. Related Images:
Read More

Take Comfort in Nature at The Clark Museum

There’s predictability to the changing seasons that can offer welcome stability for the weary soul. Seasons repeat, temperature and light are pretty consistent in the garden. Artist Helen Frankenthaler, said it best.” “Anything that has beauty and provides order (rather than chaos or shock alone), anything resolved in a picture (as in nature) gives pleasure-a sense of rightness, as in being one with nature..an order familiar and new at the same time.” Related Images:
Read More

Never-ending Fall Clean Up- What’s a Gardener to Do?

New England is a classic draw in the fall. People travel from far and wide to get the color experience. Gardeners rake forever, and clean gutters in between -especially if you’re fortunate enough to have maple trees overhanging the entire front of your home and garden. And dear Larry to get up on the ladder with a garden hose. Fall plant care..can’t live with it, can’t live without it. Related Images:
Read More