(The following is the speech I gave to The Garden Writers Association last night at their annual convention in Raleigh, North Carolina. Despite the familiar first sentence and a few other tropes, it’s a new piece. Enjoy!) 2009 has been one extraordinary year in the history of American gardening. As if on cue, a […]
At 100,000 miles, a car is just getting started. Therefore, it makes no sense for the government to pay folks to turn in cars that are not even broken, much less broken in. In fact, a car improves with age. It acquires a depth of personality and character that only time confers. Like a pet, […]
Simon Crawford collects extremely rare plants, both wild and tame, around the world. From the high mountains of Nepal to the obscure markets of Europe to the botanical gardens of faraway South America, he tracks down new and interesting meadow plants as well as historic old cultivars from discarded breeding programs of companies that have […]
On the upcoming 4th of July we celebrate our country’s independence. The annual commemoration comes loaded with spirited symbolism: fireworks, the Stars and Stripes, the rousing National Anthem, marching bands, bandstands draped with tri-colored bunting, citizens attired in colonial dress. The country’s majestic National Bird, the Bald Eagle, perches on signs and banners. This is […]
Here’s a preview of the first half of my speech to be given this Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, at 1:30 P.M. Come hear the rest of it! Part 1, New American Sun Garden I’m going to talk today about the future of plant breeding from the unique perspective of someone who has […]
A garden is so forward-looking that it resembles sometimes a family or a business enterprise. I’ve even heard someone liken it to a crystal ball, making it surely unique. Seeds are literally prophetic: tiny crystal balls. Within 12 to 18 months, you’ll have exactly what was foretold. This makes gardeners a strong surviving force—we call […]
INDIAN SUMMER For pleasure during the cooling nights of late summer and fall, we offer a harmonious blend of cultivars for potager and flower beds. The following shrubs, annuals, vegetables, herbs and perennials combine beautifully with some particularly fine fruit. Vegetables: Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’ Beet ‘Bull’s Blood’ Broccoli ‘Flash’ Broccoli Raab […]
MIDSUMMER MIXES We’re proposing planting varieties both of edibles and ornamentals in a relatively tight space, so that “the lambs will lie down with lions”. Create a design for these midsummer, or hot climate cultivars of vegetables, herbs, perennials and shrubs, annuals and small fruit. They’re selected for their tidiness and harmony when planted “ensemble”. […]
Folks have asked, “How can I mix annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs together in one space?” The answer depends on your zone, the time of year you wish to enjoy your garden and the particular plants you prefer. The secret is spacing things out so you can reach in and harvest the vegetables and herbs […]
I heard Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak talk about research a few days ago. In the anxiety surrounding the retirement of Steve Jobs, he responded to the reporter’s query about the possible uncertainties of new product timelines: “Oh, everyone at Apple works very far in advance—way into the future—like 1 to 1½ years!” Apparently, agriculture and […]
