Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Poppies Forever

The Shirley poppies (Papaver rhoeas) are one of the most ephemeral and beautiful parts of the gardens. The flowers are here for a day or two and then form seed heads where the soft-as-silk petals … Read more.

Noise on the Natives

This week, June 17-24, is National Pollinator week. It is a time to celebrate pollinators, as well as start the conversation on how to protect them. People often overlook the importance of pollinators and just … Read more.

Pollinators

It’s National Pollinator Week and I wanted to take a minute to talk about how connected the gardens at Blithewold are to all wildlife. We focus on growing beautiful gardens to inspire you, but we … Read more.

Nature’s Exuberance

If ever there was a season to see lushness in the gardens, now is the time!  The gardens, trees, and shrubs are bursting with foliage and flowers with all this rain.  Of course, the weeds … Read more.

Coming Up Roses

June is the perfect month. The temperatures this year have been steady in the 70s with sunshine and a light breeze. We have had several inches of rain this week, but the gardens only look … Read more.

Beautiful Transition

Walking along the garden path, I am happy to see the earth fully lush once again. The days now seem to go on forever, and while the humidity hasn’t yet kicked in, the sun’s strength … Read more.

June Blooms

June has arrived and brought with it the full swing of garden life. The first thing I notice in June is the elevated pollen levels, but this is due to the sheer abundance of plants … Read more.

Mr. Isaacs by Marjorie Lyon

Three or four years ago I was sent by the Red Cross Motor Corps to pick up a patient for one of the Hospital Clinics. It was the day of a blizzard and the street … Read more.

A Modern Fairy Tale by Marjorie Lyon

My story is a Modern Fairy Tale. It happened right here in Boston when the First Displaced Persons ship arrived. The Red Cross Personnel were there to meet and feed them. Docks are usually cold … Read more.

Horticultural Interns 2019

One of the best ways to learn is by experience.   This summer Betsy, Joe and I are fortunate to have two horticulture interns join us in the gardens along with our hardy garden volunteers.  Blithewold’s … Read more.