Supporting Our Local Garden Clubs
A Most Alluring Rose
Without doubt, I appreciate the beauty and – for those selections so ‘gifted’ – the fragrance of a rose. Admittedly, for many years I was reluctant to consider roses for gardens. Maybe it was my parent’s ill-fated attempts at growing them or the simple fact that many ‘bite’ should I get too close, but I simply was not sold on gardening with roses…
October marks the true start of autumn and many busy days for the gardener! It is now a countdown to complete our chores before that first heavy frost. Despite the rush, remember to take a moment and make some notes about what is looking showy. Perhaps it is the flowers of Bieberstein’s Crocus (Crocus speciosus), the seeds of a Woodland Peony (Paeonia obovata) or the fall color of Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)…
Experience is the Best Teacher
My appreciation for shade trees has certainly changed over the years. Like many gardeners, it was a group of plants I valued yet rarely used in designs or planted! Of course, perspectives change and I am now a huge proponent of planting shade trees. I have grown especially fond of trees that can tolerate the abuses associated with tough sites and are beneficial to wildlife…
September marks the start of getting the garden – and the gardener – ready for a long winters rest. Yes, it seems much too early to think of winter, but it is time to start planning for winter! However, we still have a good month until frost, so there is plenty of time to enjoy September bloomers…
Sweeping Together New Garden Visions
During my drive to work, I pass a number of homes whose landscapes mostly consist of a tidy row or two of shrubs paired with a neatly trimmed lawn. The spring may offer some floral enhancement, but by-and-large, the landscapes remain a steadfast green. Few homeowners consider replacing some of those shrubs and turf with a stylized meadow featuring sweeps of various flowering perennials and grasses….
