Agent Hash and the Sichuan Peppercorn
The USDA agent introduced himself as "Mr. Hash.” I worried I was having a flashback. I struggled to avoid asking, "You’re f#@*ing kidding me?" This is a follow up to [...]
Allen Bush
Sorrow and Solace in Sichuan on 9/11
On 9/11 I was searching for garden-worthy Chinese plants in the western Chinese province of Sichuan. I was in good company: five American plant hunters, a photojournalist, a retired doctor, [...]
Trashing trees. Why on earth?
Let me count the ways to trash trees. I’ll start with careless butchery done every day by lawn mowers and string trimmers. I’ll add volcano mulch piled up around [...]
Beatrix Farrand’s American Landscapes
Rose and I recently went out for our first movie in a long time. We picked a good one. “Gardens are good for the soul…They make you feel like your [...]
Abra Lee Conquers the Soil
Abra Lee is unearthing the American history of Black ornamental gardening—one story at a time. The White Lion landed near Hampton, Virginia, in 1619. On board were an estimated 20 [...]
Leafing Las Vegas
A week ago Rose and I checked into the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for one night. We were on our way the next day to visit our [...]
Fluffing Up for a Garden Tour
Our fluffed-up Louisville Garden was scheduled to be on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days tour this Saturday. The Kentucky portion, with five gardens, got cancelled a week ago by mutual [...]
I Traded My Greenhouse for a Water Jug
Garden Rant frowns on How-To stories, but I’m making an exception and a confession. I started gardening as a little boy and was passionate and curious. I stumbled [...]
Blossom and the Bramley Apple Tree
Peter Morrin, former Director of Louisville’s Speed Art Museum, emailed me a few weeks ago to say there was a remarkable piece of glasswork on display at the Speed called [...]
Cicada Karma/Weather Retribution
A notorious 17-year cicada returns to portions of the eastern United States in a few weeks. If you're in the path of Brood X you may need to stuff cotton [...]
Social Distancing Guidelines for the Garden
For over a year I have looked forward to a time when there would no longer be the heavy burden of social distancing. Visits with friends were scarce during the [...]
Once Upon a Childhood Oak Tree
Molly Bush and a young swamp white oak in upper left hand corner. Tim Barnwell photo. [...]