- Apr 1, 2022
A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and a Dane
I recall loathing my time in Mrs. Sailor's English (Literature) during high school (late 1960s) in south central Illinois. Boy, was I...
- Mar 1, 2022
Gold Thread False Cypress - Commonly (Mis)used
Gold thread false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is a Sawara cypress frequently (mis)used in landscaping -- 'Golden Mop' is predominant...
- Feb 1, 2022
Witch-hazels
Witch-hazels (the genus Hamamelis) may be my favorite flowering deciduous woody ornamental. I was tempted to say shrub, but witch-hazels...
- Jan 1, 2022
When Choosing a Place - Garden v House
One can find many "reality" programs on the telly. Those programs featuring real-estate (i.e., shopping for homes) are especially...
- Dec 1, 2021
Citrus in the Compost
You may have read somewhere (probably on the internet -- so it must be true) that putting citrus peel in a compost pile is a bad idea. I...
- Nov 1, 2021
Mastership, Really?
Research has shown that when individuals are asked to self-assess their ability in relation to other people, many are prone to...
- Oct 1, 2021
Green Giant - BEWARE
I am a conifer aficionado. On my 3-acre spread there are currently more than 100 specimens representing 15 different genera -- about all...
- Sep 1, 2021
Rough Leaf & Gray Dogwood
Rough leaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii) is a relatively fast-growing native deciduous shrub that makes a wonderful wildlife corridor and...
- Aug 1, 2021
Taking Food Plants for Granted
We commonly fail to appreciate the wonders that are part of everyday existence. I am not referring to electronic gadgets, but rather to...
- Jul 1, 2021
Long-term Relationships
Life and gardening have a lot in common. One of the similarities I often reflect on is long-term relationships -- both what long-term...