Steve and Cindy’s Alaskan Glacier rainforest garden (known as Glacier Gardens) is a classic story of making lemonade from lemons. Nature’s wrath and frustration with garden-making in the Mendenhall Valley of Alaska led to this interesting landscape. Throughout the garden, upside-down trees, known as the ‘Flower Towers,’ have had their tops buried in the ground and … Read more
I find the idea behind Jerry Sohn’s desert garden rooms unbelievably inspiring. Wanting a place in the vast landscape of the Mojave Desert (where he owns a small house), he commissioned Architect Arata Isozaki to create rooms in this place — one for each season. Jerry likes to sleep outdoors with his family and enjoy the night … Read more
I am planning my Christmas dinner. I happen to have a duck in the freezer and since this Christmas will be a small affair of my husband and my two little people, we are thinking of making one of our favorite dishes. Cassoulet (filled with delicious meats and the best part – soul nourishing cassoulet … Read more
Instead of writing about a particular plant or plant group, this week I thought I would talk about one of my favorite horticultural pruning techniques. The first time someone mentioned to me an “aerial hedge,” I envisioned puffy clouds of boxwood floating through the air. They are also commonly referred to as pleached tree hedges … Read more
Falu red paint (Falu Rödfärg) is a quintessential symbol of Swedish heritage and design. It’s not just a color—it’s a piece of history, a cultural touchstone, and a practical marvel that has stood the test of time. Here’s an in-depth look at this iconic paint, from its origins to its enduring charm. Photo by Anna … Read more
Gothenburg, Sweden, is a treasure trove of lush landscapes and botanical brilliance—a must-visit for any garden lover. From the sprawling Gothenburg Botanical Garden to the historic Garden Society of Gothenburg, the city offers endless inspiration, no matter your green-thumbed persuasion. But here’s the thing: after a day of wandering through fragrant rose gardens and impeccably … Read more
Long after other Digitalis have taken the summer off for vacation, the rusty foxglove or Digitalis ferruginea is flowering during the warm days of July and August here in New England. This tall, slender foxglove is from Mediterranean regions of southeastern Europe. Depending on its growing conditions, it can behave as a perennial or self-sowing biennial. If … Read more
Mountain mint, specifically Pycnanthemum muticum, is a must-have for any garden. I’d rank it among the top recommendations. Before moving to Maine, I’d heard of mountain mint but hadn’t given it much thought. Someone described it as weedy and floppy, so I overlooked it. Now, I regret not trying it sooner. Pycnanthemum muticum (Blunt mountain mint) … Read more
I could be tempted to use this plant just for the fun of saying it’s name – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (ark-toh-STAF-i-los u-VA er-SI) or one of it’s common names, kinnikinnick. It’s like I am Jane Fonda in Dancing with the Wolves. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, commonly known as bearberry, is a low-growing shrub native to North America and Europe. It is … Read more
I am still amazed at how plants grow in New England. We waited forever for summer to come, and then, sometime in June, it seemingly changed from spring to summer. In response to this change, the plants here in New England hit their stride and filled out the plant beds. I think it is a … Read more