heirloom gardener

Variegated Daphne in Bloom - a fragrant flowering shrub with beautiful evergreen foliage

2017-04-08T11:48:00.000-04:00

This beautiful variegated Daphne, in the Front Border, was blooming in late April (zone 6b). The blooms have a beautiful fragrance and groupings of small pink and white flowers.

Perhaps what I love about this shrub even more than the flowers is the interesting, evergreen foliage. Last June, when I hosted a garden tour, the shrub obviously had no flowers, but many people commented about how much they loved it.

If you are looking for an alternative to a conifer, an evergreen without needles, try Daphne.

Signs of Spring

2016-03-01T17:05:00.001-05:00

Forcing Forsythia

2015-02-05T15:22:00.001-05:00

Forcing forsythia is super easy! Now is the time to grab some clippers and cut several forsythia branches. I like the long, straight ones because they make more dramatic arrangements. However, the branching ones are beautiful too as seen here. Once you have cut the branches put them in water and wait anywhere from one to three weeks for the buds and flowers to appear depending on how late in the winter you cut them. There is no need to change the water while your waiting for the branches to bloom. I do find it helpful, however, to make a 1/2 inch vertical cut at the base of the branch to make it easier for the stems to take up water. The flowering branches look great for several weeks.

Winter Floral Arrangements

2015-01-06T18:50:00.001-05:00

Bringing flowers in from the garden is one of my great joys as a gardener. Winter presents a challenge in that there is less to choose from, but the desire for greenery grows stronger. One of my goals this winter is to create an arrangement each week from the garden. It will not only beautify my living space, but will satisfy my desire to be in the garden at a time of year I ordinarily would not. I share with you week 1.

This small vase contains clipping of cedar clippings and yellow twig dogwood gathered from the garden with an accent of purple from Japanese beautyberry growing at the edge of our lawn.

NYBG: Much to Savor, and Worry About, Amid Mild Winter’s Early Blooms

2012-03-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

By LISA W. FODERARO
Published: February 26, 2012

At the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, an experimental plot was in full flower on a recent February afternoon, as the thermometer edged toward 60.

“This is the earliest I’ve seen all of these things in flower,” said Todd Forrest, the garden’s vice president for horticulture and living collections. “The ground isn’t even frozen. That’s shocking.”

Latest buzz on bee decline: Studies blame pesticides

2012-03-30T21:49:00.002-04:00

Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012 1:49 PM
SETH BORENSTEIN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A common class of pesticide is causing problems for honeybees and bumblebees, important species already in trouble, two studies suggest. But the findings don't explain all the reasons behind a long-running bee decline, and other experts found one of the studies less than convincing. The new research suggests the chemicals used in the pesticide -- designed to attack the central nervous system of insects -- reduces the weight and number of
queens in bumblebee hives. These pesticides also cause honeybees to become disoriented and fail to return to their hives, the researchers concluded. The two studies were published online Thursday in the journal Science. Just last week activists filed a petition with more than a million signatures asking the government to ban the class of pesticides called neonicotinoids. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it is re-evaluating the chemicals and is seeking scientific help.

NJ.com: Chatham Township lets farming debate go fallow for summer

2011-07-28T23:17:00.000-04:00

Is family farming coming to Chatham? Let the veggies grow!

2011-07-28T22:56:00.003-04:00

There is currently a small-town political debate about whether or not Chatham will allow a family in Green Village to grow vegetables for selling via CSA, at the local farmers' market, or at a farm stand. As one neighbor on the street puts it: let the veggies grow!

Support Your Local Farm: The Village Tree Farm in Green Village, NJ

2010-11-28T21:54:00.004-05:00

Why did it take me so long to find The Village Tree Farm on Meyersville Road in Green Village, NJ? It's a family-run Christmas tree farm just a few minutes from my home and we had a wonderful afternoon picking out our tree. In addition to getting a great tree, we also got to admire their beautiful, Amish-constructed barn, built in 2004.

www.villagechristmastreefarm.com

NYTimes: A Story about Gardening into your Seventies

2010-11-16T22:51:00.004-05:00

"Page Dickey spent 30 years building the perfect garden. Now that she and her husband are in their 70s, cutting back is more of a priority." -Anne Raver, New York Times

Where have I been?

2010-05-14T17:46:00.002-04:00

It's been months since my last post. We had a baby, decided to move, sold our house and bought a new one. To say the least, it's been busy. This gardening season, I'm trying to both pot up and/or take divisions of my rare plants as well as plan the new garden. I intend to write more about all of the above when I have more time.

The First Bloom of the New Year - Pink and White Amaryllis

2010-01-09T07:44:00.000-05:00

Telegraph.co.uk: Great Dixter after Christopher Lloyd

2009-12-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

After Chrstopher Lloyd died in 2006, "many at that point wondered what would happen to his celebrated garden, Great Dixter." There is a fascinating story here by Tim Richardson about how Fergus Garrett maintain's "Great Dixter's spirit of originality."

What's the secret? "The key to the garden's originality and verve is partly due to the working method laid down by Christo. This consisted of a daily perambulation around the garden which lasted about an hour, during which time Christo and Fergus would make perhaps 60 decisions, small and large. About half of them were to be dealt with immediately, the rest stored up for the right seasonal moment. 'Everything was looked at and carefully considered,' Fergus says. 'We asked: is it worth it? Does it grow well? Does it stand on its own?'"

Telegraph.co.uk: Garden of the Year photography competition

2009-12-27T06:48:00.002-05:00

I love English gardens. Check out the stunning photos of these fabulous English gardens here, including: Burton Agnes Hall, Ilford Manor, Borde Hill Gardens, Houghton Hall, Mellerstain House, Athelhampton, Arley Hall, Exbury Gardens, Kiftsgate Court and Parham Park.

End of Season Roses: Fairy near the back steps

2009-12-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

End of Season Roses: Star of the Republic in the Triangle Garden

2009-12-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

End of Season Clematis: Arabella in the Cutting Garden

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

End of Season Clematis: Marie Boisselot on the Arbor to the Cutting Garden

2009-11-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

End of Season Roses: Gruss an Aachen in the Children's Garden

2009-11-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

End of Season Roses: Rose de Rescht in the Egg Garden

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Picture This Photo Contest: the End of the Line

2009-11-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

Click here for the previous Gravetye Beauty Clematis Seed Head post that I used for my entry for this month's contest at Gardening Gone Wild: the End of the Line. The deadline is midnight tonight.

End of Season Roses: Nur Mahal Hybrid Musk Rose Bred by Bishop Pemberton Next to the Lamp Post

2009-11-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

The Last Dahlia of the Season

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

The dahlias are quite frost sensitive, so I was surprised to see this one last bloom as I was digging up the last of my dahlia tubers in the Cutting Garden.

NJ Farmers' Market Update: Sundays in Summit extended to Christmas

2009-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Good news! The Sunday Farmers' Markets in Summit, New Jersey have been extended until the weekend before Christmas. I remember from last year that the number of shoppers dropped off significantly with the cold weather, so they didn't know if they were going to try to do it again this year. Alas, here's your opportunity to dress warmly and continue supporting the farmers. If enough people come out, maybe we can have a year-round farmers' market like they in other areas.

Fall Colors: an Arrangement of Mophead Hydrangeas

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-05:00