My inspiration this week comes from two things: an article I recently wrote about the different types of roses and my determination to get a particular rose in my garden under control.I’ve noticed for the past few years that the rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) planted in front of my house has been spreading and was … Continue reading The Rugged Rugosa
flowers
Spring is in the Air
I count the passing of the seasons by what’s happening in my garden. I know spring is near when the witch hazel blooms. Then the snow recedes, and the snowdrops appear. Daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs follow. When the early flowers bloom, the air takes on their fragrance, but none are as fragrant as … Continue reading Spring is in the Air
Ode to a Cold
Daffodils. For the past week the weather has been good for gardening. Unfortunately, I’ve spent most of those days indoors, grumbling at my ill fortune to have crossed paths with the common cold. Within 48 hours of attending and mingling at a historical society program at our local library, I could feel stuffiness, achy muscles, … Continue reading Ode to a Cold
AS THE GARDEN AWAKES
Bleeding heart awakes from its three-season dormancy. As I begin writing this on Tuesday afternoon, I can hear the rain tapping on the sunroom roof. The skies have turned gray, leaving no remnant of this morning’s blue. Outside my window, the witch hazel’s petals have fallen with only a few stubborn bits of yellow remaining, … Continue reading AS THE GARDEN AWAKES
It Begins With Seeds
After days of rain, overcast skies, a bit of snow (yes, snow), and temperatures that served as a chilly reminder that we’re still early in the season, the sun came out today. While the temperature didn’t improve much, just seeing the sun was a boon to my spirits, and it put me in the mood … Continue reading It Begins With Seeds
Winter Wishes and Persephone’s Dreams
A package arrived on my doorstep today, a big one. About six feet tall, but less than 12 inches wide, the box contained winter wishes come to life: alive, but dormant fruit trees. A couple of months ago, I ordered two apple trees, 2 elderberries, and one mulberry. Last week, I received notice that my … Continue reading Winter Wishes and Persephone’s Dreams
A Time of Beginnings
The only green in the woods is on the moss-covered stones or the occasional pine tree. Welcome to spring! We’re just seven days into the season and the daily changes in the garden are well under way. We’ve had a rollercoaster ride weather-wise this past week: warm days riding around with the car’s windows down, … Continue reading A Time of Beginnings
Bewitched by Witch Hazel
Spring blooming witch hazel in the garden Maybe it’s because the flowers of my witch hazel (Hamamelis) tree are the first flowers I see in spring. Maybe it’s because witch hazel doesn’t care if there’s snow on the ground when it blooms. Maybe it’s because witch hazel has flowers that are different from any other … Continue reading Bewitched by Witch Hazel
Pretty Pictures
I love photographing my garden, but I’m also a procrastinator. When I replaced my old, sickly laptop, I transferred files I was currently working on but put off dealing with thousands of photos and files that needed to be culled and transferred. I paid the price for putting off that task today when I was … Continue reading Pretty Pictures
Pen, Paper, Plant 