The online correspondence between Ranters Marianne Willburn (in Virginia) and Scott Beuerlein (in Ohio) began in July 2019 with Scott’s column ‘Time for a Grexit’ in Horticulture magazine which grumpily condemned British garden writers and their books. Marianne couldn’t let him get away with it; but chose to answer on GardenRant soil. Scott rebutted. Marianne rebutted his rebuttal, and Scott returned the punch.
Marianne answered with a letter.
What followed has been an edgy, informative, humorous and often intimate portrait of their gardens and lives in very different regions of the country. The letters aren’t managed or edited, and often, readers of GardenRant see them even before Scott or Marianne does.
It’s a gardeners’ correspondence for a digital age. You can find the entire collection of letters below. Enjoy!
The Apiaceae and Questionable Mental (and Physical) Health (in September): A Letter from the Midwest
While these hostas are blooming in the darker spaces, the phlox are rocking the sun. And have been for seemingly months.
Umbellifers and Unbelievable Views: A Letter to The Midwest
Lovettsville, VA 24 July 2023 Dear Scott, I wonder if I should technically write ‘Lovettsville’ at the top of this letter, as I am sitting in the passenger seat of [...]
Your Logo Here: A Letter from the Midwest
I'm thinking my life has maybe culminated. I'm no longer working towards this big thing. The big thing is over and now it's kind of like I'm being stretchered away from it.
Clotted Cream and Rant Reunions: A Letter to The Midwest
Behind posts, articles, conferences and social media, there’s a backstory. Have you kept up with the digital correspondence between Ranters Scott Beuerlein and Marianne Willburn? You can start here, or [...]
Confession or Confusion. Sins vs. Good Deeds in Spring; A Letter from the Midwest
Some of these combinations are quite good. Some came by intent, some by serendipity. However they happened, that’s what years of growth and crowding, forgotten sowings, and much, much more allows. It’s what happens when wait-and-see wisdom gradually undermines sheer energy and willpower.
Crass Confessions: A Letter to The Midwest
Behind posts, articles, conferences and social media, there's a backstory. Have you kept up with the digital correspondence between Ranters Scott Beuerlein and Marianne Willburn? You can start here, or [...]
Pre-Spring Whirlwind: A Letter From The Midwest
Spring is just around the corner and will spring into its manic business faster than a mouse trap. There's never enough time to observe it. As always, I will just try to buckle up and enjoy what I can of it as I'm hauled variously across it as my own trajectory wobbles like a bottle rocket.
Cochineal and Contrast: A Letter to The Midwest
28 January 2023 Lovettsville, VA Dear Scott, Saturday morning and I’m sitting in the yellow chair I was sitting in when you annoyed me so badly with that Horticulture snark [...]
Compromising on Compromise? Never!: A Letter from the Midwest
So, there I was, rushing around, randomly augering holes right and left and compromising like a son of a bitch. Little thought for siting. No memory for whatever poor, dormant plants I was augering into. Just get ‘em in the ground no matter what.
Of Bulbs, Grandchildren and Christmas: A Middle-Aged Letter To The Midwest
December 28, 2022 Lovettsville, VA Dear Scott, Whew. What a December! I believe I spent the entire month on my knees planting bulbs during the day, and at my desk [...]
The Silver, Gold, and Russets of the Season; A Letter from the Midwest
I'll try harder to greet each morning with a death grip on the positive. I long to feel the clompy green, gold, yellow, brown sweetbay leaves kiss me awake.
Eternal Sunshine of The Creative Mind: A Letter To The Midwest
November 17, 2022 Lovettsville, VA Dear Scott, It says something about my scattered state of mind and work ethic at the moment that I have five half-finished articles up on [...]