During my recent vacation, I read Helen Humphreys’ novel, The Lost Garden. It’s a story about the Women’s Land Army in Britain during World War II. “Land girls,” as they were called, were sent to the countryside to raise food, particularly potatoes, for hungry Britons during the war. Humphreys has a lyrical style and the novel is a beautifully written…
Read More
Lombard Street in San Francisco is probably one of the most recognizable streets in the United States. Its curves and switchbacks (added in 1922 to reduce the 27 percent grade on the block between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets) are filled with hydrangeas and other flowering plants. Last week, the hydrangeas were in full bloom, making the street a gardener’s heaven….
Read More
The ‘Purple Sensation’ allium has such interesting architecture. Each little blossom in the bulb seems to be held on a stick, radiating from the flower’s center. Each blossom is a tiny daisy, and watching them emerge in mid-spring is a joy. They start out as tight little balls. Then as the bloom opens more fully you can see the tiny…
Read More
Debbie Lonnee, the production manager at Bailey Nurseries in Newport, recommends a plant to try in each issue of Northern Gardener. Many of her picks have made it into my garden, but my favorite by far is this variegated Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’). It’s in bloom now, and the blue flowers are delicate and pretty. While it…
Read More
Here’s what my new front-yard garden looks like. Kind of skimpy? Well, that’s OK. Plants grow and next year, and especially the year after that, this garden will look full and lush. Starting from the left, here’s what is planted in it. Those lighter colored mounds at far left are ‘Silver Mound’ artemisia, a softly textured foliage plant. They only…
Read More