Loved
Celebrating 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 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 -…
Read MoreFourth Time’s the Charm: Indiana’s State Flower is the Peony
“A young, distinguished member of the Indiana legislature named Lawrence Baker, who happened to be a peony grower, suggested the Peony. And that is how the Peony ended up on the ballot.” March 15, 1957 On this day, the Peony became Indiana’s fourth State Flower. First, they picked the Carnation, then the Tulip Poplar, next…
Read MoreA Closer Look at the Kansas State Flower: the Sunflower
“Sunflowers do need a ton of sun. Don’t be stingy with the sunshine and put them in part shade. These are plants that appreciate all the rays they can get.” March 12, 1903 On this day, the Kansas State Flower was officially selected. Governor Willis Bailey signed the legislation that designated the wild native Sunflower…
Read MoreGarden Writer Allen Lacy’s Tribute to the Beautiful Old Cucumber Magnolia Tree at Montrose Nursery Fell in Storm
“This tree was more than a tree. It was endowed with energy that bordered on something beyond the natural order.” On March 11th, 1992, a beautiful Magnolia tree at Montrose fell to the ground. The tree’s story was shared in The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and the title was In Memoriam of Montrose’s Priceless Tree by…
Read MoreGot the Gardener’s Blues? How about Planting All Blue Potatoes this Spring?
“Any potato is easy to grow, and All Blues are even easier, as they seem to resist fungal diseases.” They say variety is the spice of life. For gardeners, varieties are the key to having the garden of your dreams. Back in 2019, on this day, in The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Doreen Howard wrote about her passion…
Read MoreA Gardener’s Favorite: The Botany Poem by Berton Braley
“There should be no monotony In studying your botany” American poet Berton Braley, published his light-hearted, clever poem, Botany, in the Science News Letter March 9, 1929 There should be no monotony In studying your botany, It helps to train And spur the brain– Unless you haven’t gotany. It teaches you, does Botany, To know…
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