To Plant or Not to PlantAs another year rolls around, it is a good time for reflection about past gardens and planning those that are to come. On my desk, as I write, are lists with headings that read “must grow these again” and “waste of bed space—do not buy this again.” This last one is a short …
A Quartet of Flower Histories for Winter Reading
These stories of flowers and their histories make fascinating reading especially when you cannot garden. Four Books about Floral History and MeaningsWinter is the perfect time for garden reading. This year I have chosen four recent books about floral histories and meanings. Each of these authors has …
Continue Reading about A Quartet of Flower Histories for Winter Reading
Munstead Wood – Gertrude Jekyll’s House and Garden
Munstead Wood – a horticultural and architectural treasure.The back of Munstead Wood, Gertrude Jekyll’s house near Godalming, Surrey, England designed by Edwin Lutyens. The gardens were designed by Gertrude.Gertrude Jekyll was an amazing gardener, garden writer, photographer, and garden designer who …
Continue Reading about Munstead Wood – Gertrude Jekyll’s House and Garden
Minneapolis Seedswomen of the early 1900’s
Seedswomen of MinneapolisA recent trip to the Anderson Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, near Minneapolis was a wonderful treat on many levels.One of the best things in the Anderson Library was the display of seed catalogs in their collection that were produced by women …
Continue Reading about Minneapolis Seedswomen of the early 1900’s
Upper Midwest Roadtrip: Six States in Six Days Garden Tour
Jenny Rose Carey at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.The autumn is a lovely time for a garden-visiting roadtrip. This year the itinerary was Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. I had been to Wisconsin and Iowa but the other states were on my ‘to be …
Continue Reading about Upper Midwest Roadtrip: Six States in Six Days Garden Tour
A Rain Garden for Every Garden
The Rain Garden at Northview in summer.You may think that adding a rain garden to your own garden is not for you, but I am going to suggest that even a small one might be a good thing for you, your neighbors, and to encourage wildlife including pollinators.What is a Rain Garden?First of all – what …
Northview Dry Garden – 20 Years and Growing
An early summer view of the Dry Garden at Northview in SE Pennsylvania.20 years of Dry Gardening at NorthviewI have always loved to experiment with my garden designs, techniques, and planting choices. My Dry Garden here at Northview in south east Pennsylvania was one such project. It had its …
Continue Reading about Northview Dry Garden – 20 Years and Growing
Munstead Wood – Gertrude Jekyll’s Garden
Jenny Rose Carey at Munstead Wood with purple and pink lupins. Gertrude Jekyll’s amazing garden has just been saved by the National Trust.There is a magical garden nestled in a wood. I dream of it often, and have had the pleasure of visiting it twice. It was the garden of Gertrude Jekyll, one of my …
Continue Reading about Munstead Wood – Gertrude Jekyll’s Garden
Chelsea Flower Show 2024 – Observations
I am lucky enough to be able to go to the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London every year. I like to distill my thoughts when I return home to see if there were any trends or popular plants. The importance of using water responsibly in gardens was a recurring theme this …
Continue Reading about Chelsea Flower Show 2024 – Observations
Mount Vernon, Virginia – Spring Blooms in the Upper Flower Garden
The Upper Flower Garden at Mount Vernon in SpringMount Vernon was the home and garden of America’s first president, George Washington. It is open to the public and is particularly lovely to visit in the spring with flowering trees such as redbud and dogwood. On my recent visit it was an overcast day …
Continue Reading about Mount Vernon, Virginia – Spring Blooms in the Upper Flower Garden
