I don’t know if it’s their size, their coloring, their song, or the way they whip around the yard, flitting from branch to branch, flower head to flower head, able to perform acrobatic feats and balancing acts on thin tendrils and plant stems, but the tinier bird population that visits the yard just makes me … More Little guys can pack a punch
I have two different types of peonies in my gardens. Up around the back of the main house, I have the typical peonies that I remember as a child — massively ruffled in white, pink and magenta. As much as I love these peonies, they are not a great pollinator flower. The ruffles are so … More Peonies and Pollinators
This past weekend saw the buds on the shrub roses bloom brilliantly, revealing their secret within — large amounts of pollen! Even though the wind blew fiercely, and not necessarily fond of wind, it wasn’t enough to keep the honey bees away. And let’s not forget the bumblebee, who will roll around in the heart … More The pollinators are out
Needless to say, the home renovation/addition project took out much of my “up around the house” landscaping. Thankfully, most of the backyard was spared as was some of the front. This year, of course, I am planting furiously after a winter season of planning out what I wanted where. Trees and larger shrubs; a new … More A rose by any other name…
This time of year there is always something to do in the yard. After the initial, early spring clean-up after the snow has melted and mother nature gives us warmer days to work, there is much more work to be done. As plants come up and my oaks, which don’t lose most of their leaves … More Who’s there
This Memorial Day weekend offered up beautiful scenes that I was lucky enough to capture on film…well, digital (just doesn’t sound as good). And, it got me thinking. I do not live on a marshland where wildlife abounds naturally. Over the years, I had to create an environment that would attract wildlife. I had the … More My little ecosystem
Landscaping isn’t just about putting new plants in a particular place. It is about creating a mood, a style and image of what you see in your mind’s eye and making it happen. Your “touch” needs to be involved in order to give your outdoor living area a soul… your soul. Everyone can see it … More The Creek Bed
I’m going to start off by telling you that my husband and I have very good friends who live in Oxfordshire, England. My husband met them, via email, while searching for dealers who specialized in British antiquities for the outdoors. We have been fortunate to spend time with them when we travel to Britain, and … More The Sundial
A Gardener's Diary 