Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Last week, while recording the podcast version of our weekly chat from the screen porch, a loud ruckus of birds erupted, sounding like an argument from the oak tree by the vegetable garden. The ruckus was equivalent to the deafening sounds of

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, I look forward to sharing an update on a long-ago story about a real softie, a soft-wooded Sweet Autumn Clematis, in its glory this time of year. With a plethora of tiny white blooms from August to September, she resembles a snowdrift and smel

Hello fellow lovers of all things green, Mile-a-Minute Weed is running rampant, and now is the time to address it before the berries ripen. While at the eye doctor the other day, Pat at the front desk described her overwhelming mile-a-minute dilemma, reminding me of a client long ago

Hello fellow lovers of all things Green, Over-the-top spreaders, climbers, and self-seeders are known as garden thugs; a clever name that made me chuckle the first time I heard it. Barberry’s maroon leaves turn green in the shade, which is why the invasive bully is not as obviou

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week, we discussed how disease and insects are impacting stands of trees. Among them, the emerald ash borer has devastated native ash trees, which comprise roughly ten percent of the forests here in Northern New Jersey. Some specimen tree

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, The influx of insects and other diseases killing stands of trees is heartbreaking. We feel helpless as remedies are experimental or beyond our means to implement. Then comes acceptance—the awareness that the gift of life is making the most of

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. At last, I had some time in my garden. Not much time, but any time brings such joy. Though true, I get overwhelmed at how many things need addressing. Then came a quick fix to the overwhelming feeling—tidying daffodil foliage. As much as I lov

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I found a few hours to tackle the vegetable garden on Mother’s Day. Finding time for my garden is hard, but it brings me joy when I do. Thankfully, gardens are forgiving. A bit of a save on my delinquency: I planted snap peas a few weeks

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green; I adore clients sending plant photos from their gardens. Tara from Sparta, NJ, sent one of her Lady’s Mantle with the headline Morning Diamonds. “So lovely! I adore the lotus effect. Thank you for sharing,” my note back. Perf

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I look forward to when the Siberian Iris, planted by the previous owner, emerges in the rock garden and flourishes with deep purple flowers in late spring or early summer. But they have not had nearly as many blooms in the last few years. The