ICONFESS THAT YESTERDAY, AS JACK AND I pressed our noses against the window at first light, I asked him, “I think we lost our garden, Jack–is it ever coming back?” Life on the tundra grows wearying, but as promised, I’m passing the rest of this vengeful winter in a dream state: dreaming of brighter days and plants ahead. Like species peonies: Molly the Witch (Paeonia mlokosewitschii, above) and her cousins, for instance. Ready for the stuff that dreams are made of?
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Garden Treasure (an intersectional peony, that is, a cross between a herbaceous and tree peony) – semi-double and fairly compact (short) and with blooms that don’t get demolished in the first rain storm — is my new love. I’m with you about dreaming about what the new season will bring. I’ve already replanted a bed, dressed everything with compost and started my first, large veggie garden. And I haven’t even broken a sweat! But I’d love to smell the soil again right about now….
P.S. And loved that you liberated your house from its siding shackles….
Hi Margaret – Spent some time digging out the boxwoods from their snow/ice tomb this afternoon, and discovered that my “Arnold’s Promise” witch hazel is about to bloom! Little peeks of yellow are showing. With the warmth finally forecast for this week it will be a dream come true. We are all truly dreaming of the promise of spring right now.
Peonies have such a classical appearance… they’re great for simple arrangements, the look good in any setting!
Welcome, Spider Flower. Yes, they are beautiful. These species types don’t hold up well to arrangements by comparison to the more conventional garden types, but wow, are they gorgeous in their moment in the garden.
Species peonies are heavenly, and I put them in the same class (spiritually) with species tulips. Why does their simplicity please me so very much? Their basic beauty seems more tender, more valiant, rather the luxurious beauty of double blossoms, et cetera. They are more direct as well, their clarity so appealing.
I have ordered your book and to my surprise it is on it’s way from Amazon……. i can’t wait.
I absolutely love peonies. Unfortunately in the tropical South Florida, they just will not grow. I think I will be one of the odd people that will migrate north when I retire, nothing drastic, just to make it far enough north to be able to grow peonies. (I love lilacs too, but they require a really cold winter to bloom beautifully. Guess I will just have to make May pilgrimages to my home state of Michigan to enjoy them).
Welcome, Cheryl. Yes, in payment for your milder climate you are deprived of lilacs and peonies and daffodils for the most part, I know. It’s all a big tradeoff, isn’t it? :) Hope to see you soon again here.