Author: John Holden

  • Hartlage Wine Calycanthus

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus, Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine,’ is an underused large shrub that ticks all the boxes: gorgeous blooms, long season of bloom and easy to care for. Where does Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub Grow? Hartlage Wine Calycanthus will grow in full sun or shade. However, you’ll get more and larger flowers in full sun. Calycanthus likes average…

  • Why You Should Never Play to the Gallery

    Why You Should Never Play to the Gallery

    I recently found this interview by David Bowie. I agree. When checking boxes, my work is droll and lifeless—my designs are like a pile of boxes left out for recycling. I work with nature, combining traditional knowledge with intuition, creating unique landscape solutions. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re…

  • Signs of a Dominant Cat

    Signs of a Dominant Cat

    A cold front swept through a couple of days ago, leaving temperatures in the low 40s°F. An unexpected thing happened around the house: the cats started sleeping in groups. Outdoor Cats Phantom (cow pattern) and Snowball (tabby), our outdoor cats, were peacefully sleeping in the three-season room they appropriated. They usually sleep in different locations,…

  • First Fire of Season

    First Fire of Season

    About an hour ago, I started the first fire of the season in the wood stove. It’s October 14th and overcast, 53°F, and starting to rain. While it’s 63°F inside the house, and a sweatshirt takes the chill off, it’s cold to me. After lighting, I walked into the room with the stove and noticed…

  • Tree Petunia Flowers?

    Tree Petunia Flowers?

    The other day, I spotted a beautiful pink flower two feet off the ground and felt a rush of adrenalin, thinking I discovered tree petunia flowers. Upon closer inspection, I realized my self-sewn petunias had grown into a Cornell Pink Rhododendron. I still think it’s cool! You’ll see Hartlage Wine Calycanthus foliage to the right…

  • This is VERY Serious Business – Cat in Window

    This is VERY Serious Business – Cat in Window

    This morning, dappled clouds filled the sky with temperatures in the upper 40s after a couple days of rain. The air was clean and damp, and the light was perfect for photography. I grabbed the DSLR and tried to take a picture of everything at once. A sure recipe for disaster. After almost 200 photos,…

  • PeeGee Hydrangea Window Peeping

    PeeGee Hydrangea Window Peeping

    The off-white PeeGee Hydrangea contrasts warm yellow lamp light inside the house viewed through a double-hung window older than me. PeeGee Hydrangeas give instant class to any landscape. Click on image to view larger.

  • PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) gives instant elegance to any landscape. PeeGee Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ The white, reliable blooms of PeeGee Hydrangea slowly become pink as fall progresses. Other features of PeeGee Hydrangeas include a course habit and yellowing leaves as the temperature grows colder. Prune PeeGee hydrangeas whenever you see fit, for…

  • Patriotic Lambsquarters

    Patriotic Lambsquarters

    Last week, I woke early and headed out to hone my photography skills. While I would like to put all of my award-winning photos in one post, I realized a picture truly is worth a thousand words and decided to break up the posts. Click on a photo to open a larger version. Patriotic Lambsquarters…