Usually March around here is pretty dire. It is when the novelty of the outside air being so cold you can freeze water in it has long lost its charm and when the utter lack of any color outside becomes unbearable. Invariably, it’s the time of year when anything in the garden that might have once promised “winter interest” can only still be identified by means of dental records.
Yes, gardening certainly has its moments of pleasure, but it takes time and effort before those pleasures grow from an intermittent trickle to a steady flow. Keep at it. Enjoy the process all along the way. Sooner or later, your garden will reach that critical mass when it surrounds you like a warm embrace.
The beauty of Latin, the gorgeousness of it, is that everyone despises it. Equally!
January 27, 2021 Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, It was a great relief to receive your most recent letter. I was a bit worried my previous letter to you might have [...]
Allan Armitage has been at the center of perennials for over fifty years. He is tireless, passionate, knowledgeable, affable, well-liked, been everywhere, knows everyone, and, between his academic career, speaking schedule, and writing, no one else is anywhere as uniquely positioned to be the black hole of the perennial universe.
December 20, 2020 Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, I’ve gotten into the habit of blaming a lot of things on 2020. And most times, maybe every time, despite how knee-jerk and [...]
Red fall color is the universal favorite, and I get it. Like everybody else, I'm a fan. There is nothing like coming upon an 'October Glory' red maple or a [...]
Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, I enjoyed you letter dated October 17th, but I'm left again wondering how the hell did another whole month go by? You might not know this [...]
Right now, here in fall, this is when all the many flaws in my garden are on glorious, full on, full frontal display. Proudly, they flaunt themselves, mocking me to [...]
I knew full well what I was getting into. My dormant gardening genes from my father's side kicked in back in 1987, soon after my wife and I bought our [...]
Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, Through our ongoing letters and because of the few times we've hung out, I must admit I have become rather fond of you. Despite having a [...]
July 15, 2020 Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, Thank you so much for your letter dated June 26th. During this chaotic, busy time, it reminded me that I’m still in this [...]
