AlpineTroughs, Pie Authenticity and Snobbery March 31, 2012 Troughs were invented by Victorian gardeners, turning stone sinks from old farms into gravelly filled containers in which they could grow plants collected from… Continue Reading
Primroses – Some Early Primula Care March 28, 2012 FOR THE GREENHOUSE OR COLD WINDOWSILL ONLY, PRIMULA OBCONICA CANNOT SURVIVE OUTDOORS IN ZONES 9 OR LOWER. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED P. OBCONICA, BUT… Continue Reading
Clivia, Oh Clivia – Some New Seedlings Bloom March 28, 2012 A BROAD-LEAVED WIDE-EYED YELLOW CLIVIA MINIATA SEEDLING FROM OUR JAPAN COLLECTION March is traditionally clivia season, at least in New England where these potted… Continue Reading
Rare or Rarely Seen Narcissus March 25, 2012 Narcissus moscatus is one of the loveliest but increasingly scarce, Narcissus species. Closely related to N. alpestris, this bulb takes a few years to… Continue Reading
March Madness – Natives vs Non natives fight for survival in the warmest spring ever. March 24, 2012 OUR NATIVE ( AND STATE WILDFLOWER FOR MASSACHUSETTS) MAYFLOWER,DESPITE ITS NAME, TYPICALLY BLOOMS IN MARCH – MOST NATIVE PLANTS EMERGE LATER THAN IMPORTED ONES… Continue Reading
A Coastal California Garden in Boston? Maybe. March 19, 2012 I’m a risk-taker. So I can’t help myself with all of the unseasonably warm and record-breaking weather in the eastern US, I’ve been moved… Continue Reading
Sowing Poppy Seed Outdoors March 19, 2012 Shirley Poppies, sown and watered-in well, with my ‘terrier barriers’ set up. When ever I freshly dig soil, Fergus and Lydia can help but… Continue Reading
A Hardy Jasmine blooms March 18, 2012 I almost forgot to check on this shrub, until my sister called be ( she live above the garage in the other house that… Continue Reading
An Introduction to Poppies March 16, 2012 PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, A FRINGED FORM GROWING IN LAST YEARS GARDEN – I AM SOWING THESE THIS WEEKEND. As the popularity grows with seldom-grown annuals… Continue Reading
Nineteenth Century Conservatory Rarities March 15, 2012 In the equatorial house, cycads and palm grow in the high heat and humidity. It was so hot and humid in the Smith College… Continue Reading