botanical observations Archives

From Maples to Mouse-Ears: Thoreau’s October Observations

Henry David Thoreau c. 1856 (colorized and enhanced).

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 8, 1852 On this day, dear readers, we find ourselves transported to the tranquil shores of Walden Pond, where that most astute observer of nature, Henry David Thoreau, put pen to paper…

Antoine Nicolas Duchesne: The Botanical Pioneer Behind the Modern Strawberry

The Modern Strawberry February 18, 1827 Today is the anniversary of the death of the French botanist, gardener, and professor at Versailles, Antoine Nicolas Duchesne (“do-Shane”). A specialist in strawberries and gourds, Antoine was a student of Bernard de Jussieu at the Royal Garden in Paris. A plant pioneer, Antoine, recognized that mutation was a…

The First Flower of Winter: Jack Sanders on Skunk Cabbage’s Early Arrival

by Jack Sanders In much of North America, skunk cabbage has earned the widespread reputation as the first flower of spring. It might be more accurate, however, to call it the first flower of winter. “The skunk cabbage may be found with its round green spear-point an inch or two above the mold in December,”…

Henry David Thoreau’s Autumn Reflections: Observing Nature’s Seasonal Shift

Henry David Thoreau. He was a prominent American essayist, poet, and philosopher, known for his writings on naturalism, transcendentalism, and civil disobedience.

Approaching Winter On this day in 1855, Henry David Thoreau wrote in his journal: “The winter is approaching. The birds are almost all gone. The note of the ‘dee de de’ sounds now more distinct, prophetic of winter, as I go amid the wild apples on Nawshawtuct. The autumnal dandelion sheltered by this apple-tree trunk…

August Berries and the Delight of All Weather: Thoreau and Ruskin Reflect

A handful of blackberries and raspberries in the August garden.

Today’s Garden Words were featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all. A handful of blackberries and raspberries in the August garden. August 7, 2019 Henry David Thoreau perfectly captures the rich fullness…