Spring

This is Bruce.  He is a tree – a mighty Oak, nonetheless.  He is magnificent and statuesque.  He is wise and witty.  I’m sure there are times Bruce is simply not in the mood to listen to me prattle on.  I’m sure there are times he would like to throttle me…

  Restrained by Spring’s lunacy, the landscape could not seem to free itself from the cruel and unseasonable shackles of April’s imprisonment. Soon, the restraints will release, and Spring will once again be liberated.   And as the temperatures warm and the landscape awakens, there is yet another potential hindrance lurking that would like…

  The trees bore the unseasonable snow like delicate lacework while Spring flowering bulbs shirked the frosty assault.  Nature’s apparent cruelty and confusion would not sully the efforts of a landscape ready to burst with life and renewal.  Instead, Spring stood stoic and unflappable.  A minor set back, amongst seemingly many, but Spring…

  The Daffodils seemed to stall in the regrettably frosty air.  Burgeoning buds appeared deflated, and the stunning lack of green and warmth grew increasingly depressing.  The promise of Spring felt distant as April earned a well-deserved time out.   Every Spring is different.  Every year I complain.  Will Spring ever really…

  “Pull back the frosty veil of Winter to reveal the virginal face of Spring.”  -Kim Sweeney   It’s official!  Spring is here!  Gardeners rejoice as the warming sun and longer days have catapulted the landscape into the season of renewal, anticipation and verdant beauty.  Early Spring offers a valuable glimpse…

  The wind had whipped the clouds into a dense froth, and the sun flickered wildly through the fissures.  Soon the sun had dimmed, like a dying light bulb, before being swallowed up whole by the menacing sky.  A Spring tempest had arrived, bringing a mixed bag of rain, sleet and snow….

  It’s here! It’s official!  It’s Spring!   What’s that?  You want me to double-check my facts?  You say it feels nothing like Spring?  Your what is frozen to your what?  I know.  I feel the same.  Spring hasn’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat.   Well, maybe she has, but Winter’s busy…

Location, location, location!  You’re going to need a warm, sunny location in order to attract butterflies.  These beauties are cold-blooded creatures that require sun to warm their bodies, so locate a place within your yard that offers lots of sun and protection from the wind – perhaps near a wall, fence or…

Ornamental grasses are pretty darn neat.  In fact, my parents have an entire garden dedicated to grasses, albeit small, it’s a beautiful addition to the landscape.  Ornamental grasses have the ability to add movement to a landscape, something we don’t always consider.  In fact, to play upon that theme, my…

They happen every day – mostly by the ill-informed, mis-informed, careless or just plain malevolent, and it’s the latter I have a problem with. I witnessed such a crime this Sunday in my own neighborhood, and I felt truly sickened yet helpless. For some unknown reason, this homeowner decided to…

I like the idea of “native” plants and landscapes and absolutely love wildflowers; however, native doesn’t always mean easier, insect free or even desirable.   In fact, there are some widely held misconceptions that I’d like to dispel and some rules to follow when considering native plants and gardens.  All in…

Because Spring sprung so early for us in the Midwest, with consistent warm temperatures, we wanted to bring to your attention some of the potential issues you could experience with your lawns and gardens this season: Leaf spots appear in spring as small olive-green lesions on the upper and lower…