Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
The Prettiest Poppies
Every June I am captivated by the Shirley poppies (Papaver rhoeas). How could I not be? With their tissue paper thin petals that come in a candy store of colors. Those gentle petals that unfurl … Read more.
Daffodils!
Spring is here and it is beginning to feel like it. Although March has decided to use her last week to remind us not to be too eager, April is set to show us it … Read more.
Noticing November Beauty
It has been so warm the past few days, I nearly forgot it is November. This mild weather is welcome to us as we finished planting tulips and other spring bulbs in the gardens this … Read more.
Lessons from a Hot, Dry Summer
With autumn finally here, I am taking a moment to reflect on the summer that was. It was, by far, the hottest and driest summer I’ve experienced at Blithewold. If you were lucky enough to … Read more.
Hopes and Dreams, Heat and Humidity
When rising temperatures and humidity levels make me question my decision to work outside for a living, the gardens we create here at Blithewold remind me that I made the right choice. Anyone who gardens … Read more.
Where Summer Begins in the Garden
This week truly feels like summer. Humidity is on the rise, temperatures are reliably 80+ degrees every day with night temperatures in the 60s. The gardens have shed their gentle spring blooms for summer’s ebullient … Read more.
May is for Tulips
As we turn the corner into May, it feels as if we are finally leaving behind the last shivering grasps of April. There were some glimmers of spring this last month, but the final week … Read more.
Poised to Bloom
I tend to think of spring as soft and sweet. But this spring has started off with a chip on its shoulder. After a few days of teasing warmer weather, the chill of cold air … Read more.
March Beauty
March is when the spirit needs a deep breath of peace. The winter is long, cold, and bitter. It teases with sunny days and punishes with freezing rain. Every glimpse of warmth and hope is … Read more.
Classes for Winter Garden Dreams
When the air is cold and the ground is frozen, plant lovers dig deep in their dreams for future gardens. This is the time of year when Gail, Julia, and I will be attending (virtual) … Read more.