I’m overjoyed that recent storms have at least temporarily broken our lengthy drought, but high winds have broken heavily weighted branch tips of the bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) and a tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) that borders the garden. Both trees are relatively soft-wooded and prone to damage, but both are marvelous trees. If such a…

The purple-leafed European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’) was planted in the front garden soon after our family moved into the house. Good thing, since it grew imperceptibly for years, but today the tree is massive. No matter his plant knowledge, it is difficult for the gardener to imagine the space occupied by a sixty or…

The property for our home and garden was selected because of the short front and deep back yard that is bordered by forest. In addition to wanting a deep, private rear garden, the short driveway to limit snow shoveling was a consideration. The rear garden is shielded from view by trees and large evergreens, with…

As a collector of far too many plant species, I often focus on individuals rather than the garden as a whole. Regular visitors to this page understand that I will cram a coveted redbud or Japanese maple into a space too small for its eventual growth, but now I have it so I’ll happily accept…

Sadly, the large dogwood (Cornus florida) in the front garden appears to be fading from its partial measure of good health. While the tree has survived for decades, it has long been plagued by the many maladies common to the native dogwood. Late summer powdery mildew, black spotting, and cankers must diminish the health of…

Damage from the twenty-five degree night several weeks ago continues to become evident. No plants were killed or severely damaged, but today there are only scattered blooms on the yellow-leafed deutzia (Deutzia gracillis Chardonnay Pearls, below). A few dead branch tips must be pruned, but a week of splendid white flowers were lost. I suppose…

The Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla, below) is flowering, somewhere up there, and unfortunately, I can no longer see the blooms with the lowest branches twenty feet up. Branches have been lost as shade in the area has increased from the neighboring forest but also from trees I’ve planted. Of course, this is another in an…

As I do every year, I must not miss the opportunity to highlight the various cold hardy orchids in the garden. Reluctant as I am to purchase expensive small plants, I was somehow convinced years ago to purchase several terrestrial orchids (Bletilla striata, below). The sum now seems a pittance while the orchids have multiplied…

Inarguably, errors are to be found in the garden. Many somethings are too close to another something and there are clashes of color and one variegated leaf beside another. But, there is much more right than wrong. Of course, I  am the gardener and also declaring this verdict, so make your own judgment. A garden…

Doubts induced by the bareness of winter dormancy are now forgotten. By this first week of May, the garden bursts against the stone paths and patios with little open ground. Gaps imagined with the month long cover of snow are now overflowing, occasionally with a newly planted mayapple alongside a delightful clump of trilliums. I’m…

Halfway into the second spring since the renovation of the planting surrounding the upper circle patio, I am overjoyed. The tear out and replanting started to make room for construction of the sunroom that replaced our shabby two level deck. The sunroom has been a four season joy, and I haven’t regretted the planting renovation…

Occasionally, plans for the garden are successful, nearly as often as joyful accidents and blunders that eventually work out for the best. Discussion of failures will not intrude on this beautiful spring day. Two Pagoda dogwoods (Cornus alternifolia, above) are evidence that I do not only cram plants into any available open space. The two…