Trout Lilies

  • Post published:05/13/2011
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This patch of trout lilies, Erythronium americanum, is growing by the roadside on the edge of a drainage in the woods near my house. Trout lilies are so called because the mottled leaves are thought to resemble the markings on brook trout, but it has other common names: adder's tongue because of the look of the new unfurling leaves, and dogtooth violet because of the appearance of the white corm, but, of course, it is not a violet…

Spring Promises

  • Post published:05/12/2011
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More spring promises every day. The rugosas are the first roses to leaf out. This is Dart's Dash. The Thomas Affleck rose in front of the house is leafing out, too. But look what is budding up  . . . alliums - I don't remember which one. Lilacs. These are the old white variety here when we bought our house. Troillus.  I know there will be troillus at the Bridge of Flowers Plant Sale on Saturday. Soon the…

Peonies

  • Post published:05/11/2011
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There was a time when peony roots for planting were only available in the fall, the best time for planting.  Today I saw several pink peony plants that are going to be put in the Bridge of Flowers Plant Sale on Saturday.  I know I will also see peony plants in local garden centers. No one can resist the thought of having a peony bloom almost as soon as you plant it. June is peony season in my…

Spring Surprises!

  • Post published:05/10/2011
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My orchid cactus lives in our main living space so it does not get the proper conditions to put on a real bloomin' show, but every once it a while it gives us a glamorous surprise. I was out in the garden enjoying the sun, and the breezes which meant no pesky bugs. While I was weeding the Herb Garden I saw that the chervil which self seeds several times over the summer is already up. And then…

The First Mowing

  • Post published:05/09/2011
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Grass loves cool weather and rain. We have had both in abundance which means it was time for the first lawn mowing. The strip of lawn in front of the house looks neat, and so does the main lawn. Henry even managed to get into the Sunken Garden. I thought it was still pretty wet.  The late Elsa Bakalar, friend and mentor, said one of the tricks to preparing a garden for a Garden Tour is to keep…

Local Farm-Hers

  • Post published:05/07/2011
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We live in a fortunate part of the world. Recently my husband and I were counting our local blessings: good neighbors, relatively benign bureaucracies, easy traffic, and beautiful landscapes with hills and streams, woodlands and meadows. Those landscapes have changed in a major but subtle way over the 30 years since we moved to Heath. The dairy farms that were here in Heath have all disappeared as have many dairy operations in other towns. A few farm stands…

Lawn Pesticide Awareness Day

  • Post published:05/06/2011
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My lawn might not inspire anyone who demands fine turf, but it is safe for the children who play on it, and my water supply. It has lots of clover which is very green and beautiful. How did clover become a 'weed' in the garden? I do not know. Canada has been more aware of the dangers of lawn care chemicals for longer than the U.S., but that is changing.  With organizations like Safe Lawns and the Lawn…

Annuals, Too

  • Post published:05/05/2011
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Yesterday I had the pleasure of trekking to LaSalle's in Whately to help pick out a selection of the annuals that will be sold at the Bridge of Flowers Plant Sale on Saturday, May 14.  This is the geranium that was sold out last year when I went to buy mine. This is the geranium I bought instead. It just bloomed and bloomed into the fall.  Both geraniums plus scarlelet and white varieties will be available at the…

My Rugosas

  • Post published:05/03/2011
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The June/July issue of Organic Gardening Magazine has an excellent article by Wes Hunsberger about the benefits and delights of rugosa roses.  I know whereof he speaks because I have been growing rugosas for more than 20 years.  Think of the beach roses thriving on sandy dunes, lashed by wind and salt spray, lovely and  fragrant with pink or white single blossoms. Hybridizers have brought that beach rose hardiness and disease resistance to the garden. "Apart" with its…