Famed director and Oscar winner, Vincente Minnelli, used the cinema to tell heartfelt, realistic and compelling stories. A filmography that would impress the likes of Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, includes Ziegfeld Follies, Father of the Bride, An American in Paris, Four Horsemen of the...
A few months ago there was a great cover story in the Gardener News about “Mulched Volcanoes”. The article depicted one of the many inaccuracies or misconceptions about how people incorrectly install plant material. Far too often plant material is set into the ground either...
Socrates May Have Liked These Hemlocks Most of us have heard the story of Socrates and his untimely death, at age 70. Standing before a jury and fellow Athenians, Socrates was sentenced to death in 339 BC. His anti-democratic views and impious acts lead to a...
A Pedestrian Shrub No More For years I have thought Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) to be the most overused plant in the plant kingdom. Seen far too often as foundation entrance pieces, a vertical accent in a planter or dumped on either side of...
Inspired by Chihuly Tucked away in New York City’s Bronx borough lies an arcadia for plant lovers. The New York Botanical Garden is home to some of the worlds most prodigious horticultural delights. Founded in 1891 the gardens are a leading educational center, a National Historic...
A Symbol of the Season Finland (Lapland) has Santa Claus, Germany has its Christmas markets and Russia is noted for their traditional, handmade Christmas ornaments. But who has bragging rights for the first decorated Christmas tree? Located in Northeastern Europe, nestled between Estonia, Russia, Belarus and...
Tree of Life Ficus carica (Common Fig) is one of those fun plants that gardeners go to great lengths to grow and protect. Perhaps it’s because of the oversized, textural foliage, the abundance of tasty fruit or the challenge of over-wintering a subtropical plant. Whatever the...
Beyond Fruit Lay Intense Colors Why write about a plant in October that everyone knows produces an abundant amount of fruit in the summer? After all, if a plant is known for producing huge quantities of fruit, that must be its single greatest attribute. Nothing could...
‘Gold Rush’ Botanical nomenclature at times can seem intimidating. Some of the names seem impossible to remember let alone spell. However, to me they’re just an interesting puzzle. While most Latin names for plants are not used in every day conversation, they do help communicate more...
Yew Can Stop the Deer Before deer became such a big problem in New Jersey there was a staple plant used in almost every landscape in the garden state. Taxus (Yew)! Unfortunately this seems to be a delicacy for our four-legged friends. Interesting since Yews are...