November Archives

The Naming Error of the Lespedeza Genus

An Error in Names November 20, 1933 On this day, the Knoxville Journal shared a story called “Department Botanists Agree Too Late to Change – Lespedeza was named in Error.” Lespedeza (pronounced “Les-pah-dee-zah”) is a genus of around 40 species of flowering plants in the pea family, commonly known as bush clovers. The article…

Looking for Fall Nature Music? Check Out Autumn Leaves by Roger Williams

Autumn Leaves November 19, 1955 On this day, Autumn Leaves by Roger Williams reached the top spot on the music charts. Autumn Leaves was Roger’s most successful song and the first instrumental song to reach number 1 on the Billboard charts during the rock era. As a performer, Roger Williams was less flamboyant than Liberace. He was,…

Asa Gray and Goldenrod or Solidago

A Letter from a Friend November 18, 1881 On this day, Asa Gray received a letter from his botanical friend and colleague George Engelmann. Asa wrote him back in December: “My dear old Friend, It is shabby of me to wait so long in response to your kindly greetings, which were dated on my birthday,…

Queen Charlotte: the Garden Patron

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), who became Queen Charlotte, consort of King George Iii of England.

A Royal of Many Loves November 17, 1818 Today is the anniversary of the death of the woman who was a patroness of the arts, an amateur botanist, a champion of Kew Gardens, and the wife of George III, Queen Charlotte. In addition to the astounding fact that Charlotte gave birth to 15 children, she…

November 17, 2020 Ten Ways to Rewild, Solway Moss, William Barton, William Caparne, Archibald Lampman, The Garden Chef by Phaidon Editors, and Queen Charlotte

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Elizabeth Fox aka Baroness Holland and the Dahlia

Louis Gauffier Portrait Elizabeth Holland avec son fils.

Baroness Holland November 16, 1845 Today is the anniversary of the death of the English political hostess and flower lover Elizabeth Fox, also known as Baroness Holland. When she was 15, Elizabeth married Sir Godfrey Webster, who was 20 years her senior. After having five children in six years, Elizabeth began an affair with a…

A Hummingbird is a Feathered Prism

A close-up of a hummingbird in mid-flight with blurred wings, set against a soft, colorful background of greens and purples.

by Donald Culross Peattie A hummingbird is a feathered prism, a living rainbow; it captures the very sunlight. — Donald Peattie, American botanist, naturalist, and author Notes: November 16, 1964 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Harvard botanist, Naturalist, Washington Post nature columnist, and author, Donald Culross Peattie, who…

If the Oak is King of Trees

An enormous, ancient tree with thick, sprawling branches reaching out horizontally, covered in lush green leaves, standing on a bed of fallen leaves in a wooded area.

by Donald Culross Peattie If the Oak is King of Trees, then the White Oak is King of Kings. — Donald Peattie, American botanist, naturalist, and author Notes: November 16, 1964 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Harvard botanist, Naturalist, Washington Post nature columnist, and author, Donald Culross Peattie,…

Winter is a Study in Halftones

A serene winter landscape with three leafless trees standing in a snow-covered field, shrouded in soft pastel mist.

by Donald Culross Peattie Winter is a study in halftones, and one must have an eye for them or go lonely. — Donald Peattie, American botanist, naturalist, and author, An Almanac for Moderns, 1935 Notes: November 16, 1964 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Harvard botanist, Naturalist, Washington Post nature…

Limber Pines

by Donald Culross Peattie Limber Pines have a way of growing in dramatic places, taking picturesque attitudes, and getting themselves photographed, written about, and cared for… — Donald Peattie, American botanist, naturalist, and author Notes: November 16, 1964 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Harvard botanist, Naturalist, Washington Post nature…

The 16th Annual Chrysanthemum Show in Washington DC.

Chrysanthemum, November 2007, Osaka Japan

The Chrysanthemum Flower Show November 13, 1916 On this day, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared a sweet little article about the 16th annual chrysanthemum flower show in Washington DC. Now, one of the guards at the show, who had been repeating, “Keep to the right! “Keep to the right!” all morning to the mass of visitors…

Thank Goodness for the First Snow

A winter forest scene with tall pine trees covered in heavy snow, their branches hanging low, and a thick blanket of snow on the ground.

by Candace Bushnell Thank goodness for the first snow. It was a reminder–no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered. —Candace Bushnell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sex and the City Today’s Garden…

The Garden is a Love Song

by Jeff Cox A garden is a love song, a duet between a human being and Mother Nature. —Jeff Cox, American garden writer Today’s Garden words were featured on the podcast: Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all. The Garden is a Love Song

Remembering Henry Clay Mitchell Garden Writer and Dog Lover

Earthman November 12, 1993 Today is the anniversary of the death of Washington Post columnist and gardener Henry Clay Mitchell. Henry wrote mainly about gardening and miscellaneous aspects of his daily Washington life. Pragmatic and humorous, Henry’s garden advice struck a chord with his readers. His weekly garden advice was compiled into two bestsellers named…