February 1, 2021 Why Deadwood Should Be Removed, Langston Hughes, Ben Hur Lampman, How to Start a Garden, Botanicum by Kathy Willis, and the Language of Trees
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Botanical History On This Day
1902 Birth of Langston Hughes, American poet, social activist, novelist, and columnist. A key voice of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston’s Harlem brownstone was distinguished by thick Boston Ivy, reflecting his love of nature. He created "Our Block's Children's Garden," where neighborhood kids nurtured flowers like nasturtiums and asters, fostering community through gardening and care.
1916 Arrival of American writer Ben Hur Lampman in Portland, Oregon, joining The Oregonian. Lampman’s heartfelt tribute to the Eastern Skunk Cabbage—a yellow swamp flower—celebrates its essential role as a seasonal harbinger, likening its bloom to a votive candle that signals spring’s approach despite its faint odor.
Unearthed Words
In today’s excerpt, Cheryl Merser humorously contrasts two gardening approaches in A Starter Garden: the meticulously planned and technologically prepared versus the spontaneous, joyful act of planting on a sunny day and seeing what grows—both pathways to discovering garden magic.
Grow That Garden Library™
Read my review of Botanicum by Kathy Willis, a stunning, oversized coffee-table book that serves as a virtual museum of plant life. With extraordinary artwork by Katie Scott and scientific insights from the director of Kew Gardens, Botanicum presents over 160 exhibits on diverse plants, ranging from perennials to exotics, complete with detailed botanical knowledge that both enchants and educates.
Buy the book on Amazon: Botanicum by Kathy Willis
Today's Botanic Spark
Enjoy the poetic charm of the “snowdrop fairy,” painted by English illustrator Cicely Mary Barker as part of her beloved Flower Fairies series. Though she never believed in fairies, Barker gave nature a whimsical voice, pairing meticulous botanical drawing with delicate poems—like hers for the snowdrop, the “Fair Maid of February,” heralding spring’s gentle return.
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