Heavenly Hellebores
As we knock on the door of April and true spring, the hellebores have arrived! Are they native? Nope. But anything that blooms cheerfully under snow, tolerates dry shade, and isn’t consumed by rabbits, is a winner in my garden.
Seeking Solace This Spring
In our house we’re attempting to adapt to our new reality of a pandemic. I’m filling my Instagram feed with flowers as a balm for the stress and anxiety of the huge uncertainties we’re facing.
Chives: First Taste of Spring
For me, one of the first signs of spring is the new shoots of chives spearing up out of last year’s leafy detritus. And my favorite way to use them is with a bright batch of scrambled eggs.
Coming Up Crocus
Spring is coming to call early this year. I’m not ruling out snow in April, though. As trees begin to slowly hum in the bright March sunshine, small bulbs are waking up and stretching.
February Amaryllis
This past weekend we flirted with 50s in February. Now, we wait and see if we get 10 inches of snow, nothing, or some weird in between mix. Probably the latter.
Stubborn Snowdrops
See those tiny green tips poking out of the leaf litter and frost? Yes, those stubborn little buggers.
Don't Leave Me! Marvelous Marcescence
I love how the term 'marcesence' is onomatopoeic of what it is. As we descend into darkest December, the leaves of some of my favorite trees are stubbornly refusing to fall.
A Pretty Pest: Oriental Bittersweet
Well, instead of a long, slow, spiral into the deep dark of winter, this year we have been treated to an autumn missed if you blinked.
Autumnal Explosion of Asteraceae
Autumn is for flowers. In September, the garden explodes into frothy clouds of aster and goldenrod delighting swarms of bees, butterflies, and bugs.
It's All About the Koi: Pond Walk 2019
This marks the third year in a row I have been able to attend the Midwest Pond & Koi Society's annual Garden & Pond Tour.