Slow Flowers by Debra Prinzing

  • Post published:02/06/2014
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Slow Flowers by Debra Prinzing is the perfect book to be browsing through on this frigid day. The temperature is only 20 degrees, but the sun is brilliant and the ground sparkles with frozen snow crystals. As I turn the pages of the sumptuously illustrated book, my own summer garden exists in my imagination as it never has before.  Debra's 52 weeks of bouquets from local flowers from 'garden, meadow and farm' are full of surprises and inspiration…

Christmas Trees Thirty Times Over

  • Post published:12/18/2013
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Christmas trees were the hit of the Christmas party held by the Greenfield Garden Club.  We have the best meetings and parties! Our hostess has dozens (I lost track) of themed Christmas trees as well as the big gorgeous fabulously ornamented tree in the living room. I cannot show them all here. A shoe tree! Our hostess is a mistress of every type of needlework including quilting. Admittedly a faux feather tree, but a style all its own.…

We Have a Winner! And a Continuing Sale

  • Post published:12/13/2013
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Betsy Johnson is our winner! Practically a neighbor over there in Williamstown.  Timber Press will send Seeing Flowers directly after I have her address, and I'll be sending her The Roses at the End of the Road. Everyone can order their own copy of The Roses at the End of the Road, or a copy to give as a gift to anyone who loves  roses or tales of life in the country by emailing me at commonweeder@gmail.com or…

Tea Party in the Garden on Wordless Wednesday

  • Post published:12/11/2013
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Behold this Tea Party in the Garden. My husband has been taking a drawing class at Greenfield Community College this semester, a gift to himself to celebrate his semi-retirement.  I have occasionally given him a hard time, but he holds no grudge and painted my fantasy of a Garden Tea Party. Not quite finished yet. Of course, before there is a tea party there must be tea, which begins  with the tea plant Camellia chinensis. Pastels, both. He's…

Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell

  • Post published:12/08/2013
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  Beatrix Potter is known to almost every parent, but not as well known as her most famous creation, Peter Rabbit. In Marta McDowell’s new book Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life: the plants and places that inspired the classic children’s tales (Timber Press $24.95) we meet Peter’s progenitor. In 1890, the 24 year old Beatrix bought Benjamin Bouncer at a pet shop and used him as the model for Peter for some paintings that she sold. That was the…

Chrysanthemums – Plain and Fancy

  • Post published:11/09/2013
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Chrysanthemums are an iconic autumn flower. Pots of blooming mums are sold at every garden center, supermarket, and roadside stand by the end of August. Their rich colors of garnet, purple, bronze and brilliant yellow or pale cream have tempted me many times. I buy them, but am mildly disappointed that even after I put them in the ground they maintain a strict military stance, never softening into a graceful slouch. Neither have I been able to overwinter…

Giveaway – Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers

  • Post published:10/25/2013
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Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers with amazing photographs by Robert Llewellyn and charming essays by Teri Dunn Chace, is a beautiful companion to the stunning Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees  which also features Robert Llewellyn's unique photographic process.  The book, and a gorgeous 16 x 24 gallery quality print to celebrate the release of this book by Timber Press is being given away to some flower lover.  All you have to do is click…

Krishna Amid the Autumnal Sumac

  • Post published:10/09/2013
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Krishna is the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is often shown with his flute with which he seduces milk maids, but my Krishna's flute has been lost to the ages. He is no less seductive. For more Wordlessness this Wednesday click here.

All is revealed – Catalonia

  • Post published:09/13/2013
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When I visited the Boston Public Garden on September 2, I ran into this demonstration right under the magnificent statue of George Washington. It made sense to hold a demonstration for independence under the statue of one of our own founders of an independent nation, promising liberty to all, but I couldn't tell what the demonstration was all about. It was not until one woman held out this banner than I even knew the issue, but still I did…

Boston Public Gardens

  • Post published:09/04/2013
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  The Boston Public Gardens begin at the foot of the Boston State House. First is the Boston Common where cattle once grazed, then the Boston Public Garden, the oldest botanic garden in the nation, and finally the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Here are a few photos from my recent visit. Frolicking tadpoles in the Boston Common Frog Pond watched over by parents and the frog statues! The Boston Public Garden, established in 1837 is the first botanic garden…