Blog
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Snow Crocus: Unstoppable Early Spring Bloom
It’s mid-March, and my snow crocus has bloomed for a few weeks. What’s the secret to such early spring flowers? How do I pull off such a fantastic feat every year? Simple. I do nothing! Snow crocus is one of the first bulbs, technically, it’s a corm, to bloom in the landscape. Crocus is extremely…
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First Daffodil of The Season
Today, March 19, 2023, I just returned from a walk. It’s been in the high 30’s F with winds gusting to a little over 10 mph. The sun makes it look warm, but you better be bundled up if you head outside. While walking, I noticed several Daffodils groupings and anticipated they would be in…
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Spring Flowers for Early Bloom in the Landscape
We all want to see color after a long dreary winter. However, what can we plant to get spring flowers sooner? Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and the Arnold Promise Witch Hazel was on fire. It’s mid-march and I’ve already got a flowering tree in full bloom. Arnold Promise Witch Hazel doesn’t have…
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Winter Wonderland
Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities. Barn Wood Bird House Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel.…
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Oakleaf Hydrangea Glowing in the Morning Sun
This morning I stepped outside for a breath of air and caught an Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) glowing in the warmth of the morning sun. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are one of my favorite plants for several reasons. First, the oak-shaped leaves create interest in the landscape all year. Second, mid-summer blooms light up the landscape and…
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Nurse Log, Trees Growing Out of a Tree
The other day while eating at my favorite lunch spot I noticed a decaying hemlock with deciduous seedlings growing out of it, a nurse log. Nurse logs are rotting logs that support tree seedlings. As the old tree decays it creates a seedbed for tree seedlings. The decomposing wood stays moist and provides organic matter…
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My New Favorite Lunch Spot
Today I visited my new favorite lunch spot. No, it’s not an eatery, though if I had to choose one it would be Newtown Deli and Catering. The food is great but more than that the folks that work there give a sense of warmth and kindness. I’m a big fan of the Fiesta Salad…
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Blustery New England Spring
This morning the temperature is in the low 50s and the wind is howling. It feels like the low to mid-40s. Last night was in the mid-30s, just barely above frost. I built a fire to take the chill out of the house. Two days ago we had rain in the morning, overcast in the…
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Problem Solving. That’s what I do!
I had a meeting with a prospective client yesterday to discuss a design for the front of their home. When I drove up their driveway one thought came to my mind. This the most challenging space I will ever design. I stepped out of my car looked at the landscape and the ideas started to…