Supporting Our Local Garden Clubs
An Annual of Yesteryear Providing Airy New Dimensions
Annuals were traditionally described as plants that transition from seed in spring to summer bloom and back to seed come fall before dying with the frost. They were also called ‘Bedding Plants’ since they were to be planted in a garden ‘Bed’ where they rapidly covered the ground with low and dense floral displays…
The Beauty is in the Details
How often do we hear the phrase the ‘Devil is in the Details’? The phrase highlights how the success of a project hinges on the many small details that often are overlooked. No project is certainly more befitting of this phrase than the creation of a successful garden. One such detail that always brings surprise and beauty is the unexpected appearance of flowers from bulbs, corms or other geophytes we long forgot adding to the garden….
A Maiden every Discerning Gardener Needs
Green is a color most people do not often consider for the theme of a garden. It is a color found in few flowers, yet it clearly abounds through foliage. In fact, blending together plants with foliage of different sizes and shapes can create a textural garden with wonderful outcomes. Ferns are a great consideration for such gardens…
Woodland Peonies for Great Seasonal Drama
I couldn’t imagine a Garden in May without Peonies. From the days of my youth, I remember their vibrant flowers, accompanied by a wonderfully sweet scent that my mother and grandmother always revered! The flowers range from single blooms with one ring of petals to the full doubles displaying countless petals. The abundant petals of the doubles pique the interest of most gardeners, yet the weight of the flowers following a spring rain often brings the floral stems to the ground…
A Flowering Ode to Jefferson
Botanical plant names often prove to be a stumbling block for gardeners. They are meant to impart descriptive details about the plant, yet understanding the Latin or Greek roots of the names can prove troublesome. To add to the confusion, in some instances the botanical name honors individuals who were important in horticulture. This can be equally as mystifying since many of these honored individuals lack widespread recognition. However, one plant that should instinctually draw recognition for the honoree is Jeffersonia diphylla, commonly called Twinleaf. The name pays tribute to Thomas Jefferson…
