I Love Chionanthus virginicus – aka Fringe Tree
Name: Chionanthus virginicus aka fringe tree or old man’s beard. Type of Plant: A large shrub or small tree, native to the Eastern US, growing 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. Why I Love this Plant: If you’ve been to Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich during the...
I Love Abies concolor aka Concolor Fir
Type of Plant: A blue needled evergreen tree that’s hardy in ones 3 – 7 Why I Love this Plant: I fell in love with this plant 25 years ago when I did a consultation for a woman in Yarmouth. I looked across her backyard and saw a blue needled evergreen that...
I Love Baby Pak Choi aka Brassica rapa var. chinensis
Name: Baby Pak Choi aka Brassica rapa var. chinensis Type of Plant: A vegetable that grows well in cool weather. This small pak choi usually grows to 6 to 8 inches tall. Why I Love this Plant: Since this plant grows quickly and thrives in cool temperatures, it’s...
Bringing Houseplants Back Inside
It’s time for my houseplants to come home from summer camp. Like most campers, they are happy to be home, but arrive needing a shower and perhaps a change of clothing. Here’s my routine: I clip off any browned leaves before the plant comes in. While...
I Love Helenium autumnale aka common sneezeweed or Helen’s flower.
Name: Helenium autumnale aka common sneezeweed or Helen’s flower. Type of Plant: This summer to fall flowering perennial is native to much of North America. Hardy in zones 3-8, there are many named cultivars of different sizes and a range of colors in oranges and...
I Love Ceratostigma plumbagionoides aka blue leadwort or plumbago.
Name: Ceratostigma plumbagionoides aka blue leadwort or hardy plumbago. Type of Plant: a low-growing, perennial ground cover hardy in zones 6-9. Dies to the ground in the winter. Why I Love this Plant: First of all, this perennial is later to emerge in the spring,...
At The John Hay Writing Studio – September 2024
When I arrived at the John Hay Writing Studio, I was shown a book where those who used the space could write about their experiences. My entry on day 4 was short. Apologies. While I understand how wonderful it is to have something written in a writer’s hand, I also...
I Love Malibu Green Beans
Name: Malibu Green Beans Type of Plant: Pole beans that are especially prolific. Why I Love this Plant: You can pick these beans when they are young, skinny and tender or let them grow larger. Their flavor remains good no matter what their size. I love how the...
I Love Heptacodium miconioides aka Seven-Son Flower
Name: Heptacodium miconioides aka seven-son flower Type of Plant: A large shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed. Why I Love this Plant: There are so many things to love about the Heptacodium. First of all, if you need a smaller tree, this is a great option....