Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
Foxgloves (Digitalis) are consistent volunteers in our gardens. After introducing them with seed and plants into our soil over 20 years ago, we have never had to again. We never know where this poisonous as well as medicinal plant will emerge and it doesn’t matter to us; we only move this biannual in the Fall […]
The garden explodes with bountiful growth and goodies. All the ingredients in this salad I pulled minutes before they found their way onto our dinner plates. Included are: Asparagus (for only another week and then we stop harvesting) Beet leaves and roots (a yummy and colorful microgreen to eat as I thin the rows) Sugar […]
It’s strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) season! And even though Juana is feeling a bit under the weather, nothing stops her from going out to the two strawberry patches daily to pick the ripest of fruits before anyone (or thing) touches them. We pull back the protective netting to spot many perfectly shaped and colored berries. […]
The American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’) is blooming in spectacular fashion at @annsplaceinc. We planted this many years ago as part of a corporate donation, which funded the building of this arbor and a meditative labyrinth below our parking lot. Growth in the beginning was spotty as none of the local deer in the […]
The lovely purple flower and bright orange stigma of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) thrills nature lovers and cooks each Fall upon their emergence. But now, as the corm has gone dormant, I am tasked with the long delayed need to divide and propagate. Years ago to protect these rare and valuable corms, I created […]
The fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is one of my favorites natives. This slow-growing understory tree delivers a spectacular lacy flower that appears to drip off the tree. Approaching it I can’t help but be intoxicated by its sweet, honeysuckle-like scent. By its appearance, it is obvious why one of its names is old-man’s beard.
Last Fall, my brother Craig gave me a large slab of cottonwood (Populus) that I have finally had the chance to turn into a bench for the garden. It sat all Winter in the shed curing and looked great with few cracks upon inspection. I get my belt and orbital sanders (and lots of sandpaper) […]
It’s flower Friday again! We can’t keep up with all the new blooms that emerge every week in the garden so here are the top ones. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): This puffball of a flower is not only lovely but it has a scent with a big kick to it. Rhododendron: I have no idea of […]
Nearly 20 clients from @annsplaceinc attended the two classes on herbs at my house. Because my budget is tight and I was unsure of sources, I grew oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and stevia from seeds in April to cover my bases. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) I got from my usual supplier, […]
Great news for the beginning of June. First I am delighted to announce the three winners of my book, A Therapist’s Garden, from last week’s contest. They are: @ninjahikernc @brian_pickard @bluespringscottage Congrats and I will be sending autographed copies out to each later this week. But also A Therapist’s Garden has been announced as the […]