Pissing Away a Privilege and a Newly Invented Theology; A Letter to VA.
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 [...]
Scott Beuerlein
Last of the Great Reference Plant Manuals?
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.
’21 Is Gonna Be a Good Year
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 [...]
Glorious Gold and Brown (and Golden Brown Too)
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 [...]
What Is, What Could Be, and The Art of Yearning For What Never Was
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 [...]
Finding and Fixing Our Gardens’ Many Flaws. Now Is the Time!
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 [...]
A Humbling Return to Veggie Gardening
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 [...]
Upbeat Garden Writing in August? A False Positive!
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 [...]
Experts Expose the Deadliest Garden Writing Tools! And Five Fabulous Coneflowers that Defy News Feed Blues!!!
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 [...]
Random Horticultural Things I’m Either Loving or Loathing, and a Few I Haven’t Quite Decided On
For whatever they are worth, here are some stray observations that have rattled around in my noggin lately when I’ve had too much time to think. Let’s start positive! Why [...]
For Covid Times: Veggie/Pollinator Garden Combo Power Pack!
Well, here we are, enjoying our first pandemic. Most of us anyway. But even the flimsiest grasp of history informs us that bad times are a dime a dozen. The [...]
Plants and Pandemics, and Gardeners Go for the Glory!
April 29, 2020 Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Marianne, I apologize for taking so long to reply to your last letter, but it’s been a hell of a time. My mother’s health [...]