Botanic Spark
Rachel Summers, Owner of Curious Wilds Forest, Lifts Neighborhood Spirits by Identifying Trees with Sidewalk Chalk
“The first image showed a label for a London Plane tree on the sidewalk, which read: My favorite! Takes pollution out of the air.” April 9, 2020 Last year, in the early days of the worldwide lockdown due to COVID-19, an English arborist started adding a charming touch to her neighborhood by labeling local trees…
Read MoreCelebrating First Lady Betty Ford: Lifelong Gardener and Founder of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado
“Just walking along these winding paths – with the abundance of beauty so close to the touch – brings an introspection and sense of calm too often missing in our lives.” April 8, 1918 Today is the birthday of the beloved First Lady Betty Ford. As a woman, Betty Ford consistently defied the odds.…
Read MoreCelebrating Newspaper Editor and Nature-lover W. Earl Hall
“It’s the best time of the year for gardeners: the season is before us, and the garden offers limitless possibilities.” April 7, 1897 Today is the birthday of W. Earl Hall, the Editor and publisher of the Mason City Globe-Gazette. He’s remembered for loving weather-lore. Earl wrote, “Science has never drummed up quite as effective…
Read MoreRemembering Florida Botanist Alvan Wentworth Chapman: an Apalachicola Naturalist and Namesake of the Chapman Botanical Garden
“If [you are] really anxious to make [plant] discoveries… buckle on your knapsack and make a tour of Florida.” April 6, 1899 Today is the anniversary of the death of the botanist and physician Alvan Wentworth Chapman. Alvan spent the last fifty years in Apalachicola, in territorial Florida. Alvan adored botany and devoted all his…
Read MoreCelebrating Garden Writer and Pioneering Journalist Anne Scott-James
“However small your garden, you must provide for two of the serious gardener’s necessities: a tool shed and a compost heap.” April 5, 1913 Today is the birthday of one of Britain’s pioneering female journalists and a marvelous garden author, Anne Scott-James. In 1934, Anne started as a secretary at Vogue before rising through the…
Read MoreA Robert Frost Poem for Gardeners: Lodged
“In six little lines, Robert connects himself to the flowers in the flowerbed. Pelted by the wind and rain, the flowers manage to survive.” March 26, 1874 Today is the birthday of the American poet and Poet Laureate Robert Frost. Here’s a short, sweet poem (and a gardener favorite) by Robert Frost called ‘Lodged.’ In…
Read MoreA Diary Entry from English Gardener Henry Arthur Bright in Praise of Violets
“Hepaticas I have tried over and over again, and they always fail.” March 25, 1874 Today, the English merchant and author Henry Arthur Bright recorded an update about his spring garden in his popular diary-turned-book, A Year in a Lancashire Garden. Again, we have had frost and snow, and this time, it has done us…
Read MoreRemembering the Last Great English Landscape Designer of the eighteenth century: Humphry Repton
Subtitle March 24, 1818 Today is the anniversary of the death of the innovative and all-time great landscape gardener Humphry Repton. (Note that there is no ‘e’ in the spelling of Humphry). Humphry was trained and molded by the great Capability Brown. As he matured, Humphry broke away from his mentor’s shadow and led…
Read MoreCelebrating Herbal Chia Seeds on National Chia Day
“Gardeners might be surprised to know that the Chia seed comes from an herb – a Salvia plant (Salvia hispanica).” Today is National Chia Day. This day recognizes the tiny yet powerful chia seed – one of the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. And I know what you’re probably thinking right now -…
Read MoreRemembering the Ill-fated New York Horticultural Society (NYHS)
“David’s leadership elevated the organization – making it an elite place for horticultural education and prestige.” March 22, 1822 On this day, the New York Horticultural Society (NYHS) was founded. The NYHS was the first horticultural society in the nation and survived until the late 1800s. While the Massachusetts and the Pennsylvania Hort Societies flourished,…
Read MoreAn Excerpt from Kew Horticulturist Carlos Magdalena’s Book: The Plant Messiah
“I was shown into a small greenhouse with thirty numbered plant samples. I had to identify them all, sharing their genus species, family (if known), and common name.” On this day, in 2019, another fantastic book was published: The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena. This is one of my favorite books because it gives us…
Read MoreRemembering American Philanthropist and Gardener Harriet Barnes Pratt
“Harriet is remembered for coming up with the idea for Gardens on Parade – a half-acre, stunning display during the 1939 World’s Fair.” On this day, March 18th, 1969, the philanthropist and gardener Harriet Barnes Pratt died. Harriet had married Harold Irving Pratt, the youngest son of the Pratt Institute’s founder and a founder…
Read MoreArthur Shurcliff’s Colonial Revival Gardens at Williamsburg: A Triumph in Landscape Architecture
“Arthur did have Boxwood on the brain. Boxwood was Arthur’s signature plant – he called it “Box” for short. And for his Williamsburg makeover, Arthur brought in boatloads of Box.” March 17, 1928 On this day, the pioneering landscape architect Arthur Shurcliff began working on the Colonial Revival Gardens at Williamsburg. His efforts helped make Colonial…
Read MoreLandscape Architect and Columnist Neva Weber’s 1927 Editorial in Praise of the Trailing Arbutus
“We who travel life’s pathway search for our own metaphorical wreath of flawless Arbutus leaves. And, of course, we search in vain. We do not find our perfect spray of Arbutus in this life. March 16, 1927 On this day, landscape architect and columnist Nelva Weber wrote a letter to the editor of The Pantograph -…
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