Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Color Theory
One of the very first things we decide each year is the color scheme for the gardens. We debate and plan and finally develop a concept that will work for the growing year. Color is … Read more.
Summer Heat
Phew! It’s been a hot couple of weeks. The plants and the people have been doing their best to stay comfortable in the humidity. Often the heat spells the end to some of our favorite … Read more.
Sweet Pea Splendor
June is when our gardening dreams begin to come true. The Cutting Garden is currently full of sweet peas (Lathyrus) blooming on bamboo arches. This all began with Gail’s vision this past winter. I recall … Read more.
Pollinator Week
Happy National Pollinator Week! If I say the word “pollinator”, you may immediately think of honey bees. It is true that honey bees are a huge help in pollinating many plants. However, they aren’t the … Read more.
Quiet Thyme
Every garden begins with a dream. For us, the dream for what we now call the Garden of Hope began several years ago. We knew that we wanted to create a garden that would inspire … Read more.
Sweet Spring
I love ornamental onions. I love that they come in so many different sizes and colors. I love that even after their flowers fade most of them hold their shape, making beautiful decorations. Right around … Read more.
Coming Attractions
May is often a time for celebrations. From weddings to graduations to Memorial Day parties, May can feel like a whirlwind. In the gardens, May begins to settle down by mid-month. Tulips kick off the … Read more.
Trees and Tulips
Spring is a riot for the senses. The birds and toads are singing, the trees are blooming, and the gardens are bursting out of their winter rest. I finally feel like my co-workers and I … Read more.
Exuberant April!
Daffodils are here and they were worth the (long!) wait. The grand view through the Bosquet is really stunning right now. In this big beautiful sea of daffodils there are numerous varieties. Over the past … Read more.
Hope!
Considering the weather we have endured the past two weeks, I would say my previous post was overconfident. Spring was not here yet. I was feeling hopeful and buoyed by the sunshine. It was naive … Read more.