A Victorian Ode to May: Phebe Holder’s Botanical Poetry

Phebe Ann Holder

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 1, 1890 On this day in horticultural history, the enchanting poem “A Song of May” by the esteemed New England poet and gardener Phebe Holder graced the pages of newspapers, captivating readers…

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November 27, 2020 Plant Seed Spacing, Albert Etter, Karl Foerster, Phebe Ann Holder, The Vegetable Garden Cookbook by Tobias Rauschenberger and Oliver Brachat, and the Bicentenary at Kew

20200101 The Daily Gardener Album Cover

Today we celebrate a one of a kind American plantsman and breeder who gave us the red-fleshed Pink Pearl apple. We’ll also learn about the German nurseryman and breeder who we know from a ubiquitous feather-reed grass. We’ll hear some lovely botanical poems from a New England poet. We Grow That Garden Libraryâ„¢ with a…

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A Song of May

A Song of May

by Phebe Ann Holder The fragrant lily of the vale, The violet’s breath on passing gale. Anemones mid last year’s leaves, Arbutus sweet in trailing wreaths, From waving lights of a forest glade The light ferns hide beneath the shade. — Phebe Ann Holder, New England poet, A Song of May     November 27,…

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A Song of October

A Song of October

by Phebe Ann Holder The softened light, the veiling haze, The calm repose of autumn days, Steal gently over the troubled breast, Soothing life’s weary cares to rest. — Phebe Ann Holder, New England poet, A Song of October         November 27, 1824 Today is the birthday of the New England poet…

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