Why? I dunno

A number of swamp maples (Acer rubrum), oaks (Quercus), and tulip poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera) reside in the forest that borders the garden. Thus, none were included in the small quantity of large trees planted over the decades. The garden is overfilled with Japanese maples, dogwoods (Cornus), redbuds (Cercis canadensis), magnolias, and other small and medium-sized…

Not the right place?

Barbara has expressed skepticism that the ‘Moonrise’ Japanese maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’) planted in the renovated garden space beside the sunroom will grow too large to obscure the view. Of course, she is somewhat correct, but after so many decades, she understands the obsessive stubbornness that once I’m stuck on a plant, there’s little hope…

Fading fast

While the date of the garden’s peak is arguable, there is no doubt that the year’s floral highlight is when yellow, pink, orange, and red deciduous Exbury azaleas flower in front of the native fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). In the garden’s first decade, a variety of evergreen azaleas flowered dependably, but all were prone to lacebug….

Too much?

The colors of this garden were not well planned. In fact, there was no planning at all. I see a plant, I like it, and plant it (a slight oversimplification). The result? No doubt, some will disagree. I think this riotous border of color is glorious. Visitors agree, but what do we know? I have…

Peace and quiet

From mid-spring until autumn leaf drop, the rear garden is private. No neighboring homes can be seen, though, of course, the sounds of the surrounding community and roads are plainly heard. I’m certain our next-door neighbor mows his lawn three times a week. I don’t feel that I need the escape, but there’s no doubt…

Almost there

The precise date is an open question, and certainly unimportant, but when is the garden’s peak? No doubt, there are glorious days throughout the year. I am thrilled as witch hazels flower in January with dozens of hellebores soon to follow. There are favorites to enjoy in late summer and autumn, but inevitably, the garden…

A mess from front to back – a tour of the garden

The small areas of lawn are overgrown, not due to the foolishness of no-mow May, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. In this garden, there is no need to provide pollinators with the blooms of plentiful lawn weeds. There are sufficient flowers to keep the bees occupied. The driveway, front walk, and stone…

Beavers and other friendly beasts

The garden is protected against damage from deer by spraying a stinky but non-toxic repellent every five to six weeks, if I remember. But if I delay (which is often), deer quickly remind me. Without the repellent, I could not grow hostas and many favorites. Unfortunately, the repellent does no good in protecting from other…

Any time

I must take advantage of every opportunity to add another Japanese maple to the garden. Of course, depending on some mysterious internal mechanism that determines today’s favorite, a spot might be filled by another redbud or dogwood. There are plenty of each here already, but there are so many wonderful selections that I have to…

I wonder????

In another week, emerging leaves will provide a measure of safety as I romp through the garden. Undoubtedly, I’ve destroyed several somethings in recent weeks. I do my best, but there’s too much, and if I can’t see them, what am I to do? I only hope that I haven’t mangled a ladyslipper or some…

Surprises and free plants

Again, this early spring, I’m delighted by the increased number of trilliums appearing in the garden. A year ago, I first noticed ones coming up where I was certain none were planted, and now there are more as well as new seedlings beside parent plants. The youngsters are a few years from flowering, but what…

Just lucky

The glorious view from the sunroom begins the second week of March. The vista is never dull. Even in the lull of winter, there are a variety of colorful hellebores with blooms from December, but the grander scale is begun with two white flowered magnolias (‘Merrill’ and ‘Royal Star’) that are viewed before the small…