Chartreuse Garden

This drawing illustrates one part of my client’s property where we have been creating a series of different garden spaces. We have referred to it as the  ”pass through” garden. It’s a transition space; it connects the pool area to the Crescent Garden. Since I discovered that the color chartreuse is actually named after a medieval French liqueur I hoped this would be the new name for the garden. Of course, we will tastefully highlight chartreuse plants... Read More

Pick a Bouquet (Early Summer)

Growing your own food is one thing. Growing your own flowers for the vase is another. This very relaxed carefree notion of gathering a bouquet on a whim takes careful planning. What’s in bloom when? What colors do you love? Filling our vase is Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea), Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ (Little Henry sweetspire), Echinacea purpurea ‘Tiki Torch’ (Tiki Torch coneflower), and Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed).  Read More

Fabulous Green Metal Tuteurs (Obelisks?)

A few weeks ago I was driving near Fenton, Michigan and  happened upon some garden antiques for sale. I couldn’t resist buying these four tuteurs (some would say obelisks). They are easily eleven feet tall and each weighs 150 pounds. They will look fabulous in my quadripartite potager- one for each raised bed. (Goodbye blue bamboo and hello green metal.) They arrived by semi yesterday. My sons and I could just unload them off the truck. We would move them to the back... Read More

Sometimes I Write Fiction

Here is a photo of one of the watercolors in my new book, The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook. It’s a bird’s eye view of a front yard edible and seasonal garden- in summer. One of many in the book. The paintings illustrate how the garden shifts through the year and one season is highlighted in each chapter. When I drew up the plan I carefully selected edible and non-edible flowering shrubs and perennials that will provide bouquets for the table or something to nibble... Read More

Strolling the High Line

It’s been on my list for a while and I missed it the last time I was in New York. The wait was worth it for me to see some late May blooms on the High Line over the weekend.  I salute you, Piet Oudolf. My favorite flower of the day is Trifolium rubens (Red feather clover).  Read More