A Circus of Orchids
Each year I meet an old friend to go to the orchid show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We wander the lush landscapes and have a nice hike before finding lunch. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday in March?
Early Bulbs for Everyone
Looks like spring will be early this year! Or will it? We seem to be ping-ponging about weather-wise. At least there is moisture. The early bulbs have decided it’s time to add their particular magic to the garden.
Hiking into the New Year
This year I decided to start a new tradition of hiking on the first day. Stepping into the New Year with a fresh start, if you will. I took myself off to The Morton Arboretum for a nice ramble on a brisk, if damp, day.
Garden Greens for Winter
Between working at two leading Chicago area garden centers, I’ve made thousands of winter porch pots, wreaths, and miscellaneous swags, lanterns, hostess gifts, yule logs, and more. And I still love doing winter arrangements with cut greens.
November in Two Textures
For me, the November light is silver. It’s long, low, rays capture textures as we hold our breath for snow. November is on pause - not quite winter and not really fall.
Autumn Reflections
Oh, October! When the days are noticeably shorter and the light mellows. Leaves are falling and crunching underfoot. Trees are putting on their party dresses and shrubs are shining.
Butterflies of Summer
It’s been a mixed bag around here bug-wise. The weather has been a roller coaster. The bumblebees have forgiven a great deal because I planted flowers they adore. The wasps are hunting. But you stopped for butterflies, right?
Conversations with Elms
This is my third season volunteering for the phenology project at The Morton Arboretum. I enter weekly observations on a group of elm trees about March through December, depending on bud break and seed drop. These observations are entered into a database and ultimately funneled into the National Phenology Network. This means I get to talk to elms on a regular basis.
Hello, sweeties!
The first day of spring has come and gone and despite a lot of brown (twigs, leaves, bark, grass, etc.), there are shining tiny moments of the earliest spring flowers.
Snowdrops for a New Year
2023 slid in quietly. The week has been mild, cloudy, and damp. A great deal of tea has been brewed and enjoyed. It feels more like spring than the middle of winter. So, snowdrops have popped up to say hello!