Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Monarch Update
About a month ago I wrote about how to make your garden more pollinator-friendly (you can find that here). We had just found approximately 15 monarch caterpillars on the swamp milkweed in the North Garden. … Read more.
Women’s Work
As we come to the end of our year celebrating the Pardee and Lyon families’ service to country, I offer one last reminder that the role of women during World War I was vital, though … Read more.
Fall’s First
Summer has officially passed and October is just a few short days away. The aroma in the crisp breeze sparks fond memories of playing football with neighborhood friends and raking leaves for my grandmother. In … Read more.
Actions in the Garden
September brings an amazing liveliness throughout the gardens. Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and songbirds are in constant motion. This busy activity is mesmerizing as the gardens come to life with an energetic performance. All this merry … Read more.
September’s Seasonal Celebration
Sunny September days are my absolute favorite. Gail and I are constantly talking about how much we love this month. The gardens are glorious, the weather is very close to perfect, and we (try) to … Read more.
September Burns Brightly
Though summer is beginning to fade, the gardens are bigger and better than ever. The moderate September temperatures bring the best blooms into flower. It is still summer here and the flowers have not forgotten. … Read more.
Far From Finished
Well, here we are as summer rounds the final turn. Temperatures have let up, school is back in session, football season is here again. We can easily to jump into an autumn state of mind … Read more.
Pollinator-friendly
Every garden can be a pollinator garden. It does not need to look “messy” or wild or be composed completely of native plants. (I personally love a slightly wild look to a garden.) I want … Read more.
Sound Therapy
An August garden has a unique set of sounds that I look forward to every year. Although I love the quietude of a garden, August’s ensemble of nature’s sounds is a comforting reminder that flora … Read more.
Labor Day Lunch
Marjorie Lyon was known for her gracious hospitality. Two of her favorite celebrations were July 4th and Labor Day, both of which were constant, unchangeable traditions for decades. Labor Day was Marjorie’s annual farewell to … Read more.