Build Your Soil & Soul with Late Summer Cover Crops

Once I considered writing a book called Farm, Yard, Garden. The premise would be that farming and horticulture are based on the same science but used for different goals.   What a mistake that would have been. Big agriculture and my farm, yard, or garden have almost nothing in common. Being a part of, a…

Read More

The Otherside of the Web Page

I’d like to introduce you to three fellas who keep our website running. They are important in our life. And in your life too. Without the guys who do tedious, frustrating and creative web stuff, I couldn’t focus on growing good bulbs, nor could you read about or buy them for your garden. What’s behind…

Read More

Plant Evaluation — Selecting New Crinum Varieties

I’m a tough critic when it comes to plants, especially when evaluating plants we’ll sell or share or use in gardens, streetscapes or bioswales.  Nothing floppy, nothing wimpy, nothing that doesn’t make a great all around garden plant makes the cut. Because I know their potential well,  having grown them since the 70’s I’m especially…

Read More

My First Crinum Lily is About 75 Years Old

After tons of delicate spring flowers, I’m ready for some bold color and big textures.  Every year, I feel the same. In garden design, I always seek contrasting textures— which is kind of tough in spring since we have lots of new, tiny leaves and delicate flowers. Crinum bulbispermum is pushing into flower this second…

Read More

Morning Break? Is Re-shooting Photos a Break?

For a number of days of the last ten, I’ve been sequestered inside.   Re writing.   The editor at Timber Press sent back my manuscript for a final edit.   Well, 32 pages and about 40 hours of edits.  Done.   Great edits.  He said, ‘I’m trying to help you say what you want to say, more clearly.’   …

Read More