Down the garden path ...

Down the garden path ...
...and strolling through a garden of memories

~Grandmother Never Bought a Plant~

I suppose that is not literally true since in the beginning she bought vegetables and fruits for eating and then used their seeds to start plants.

Grandmother's garden was filled with many plants--I wish I could remember all of them--including Sweet Gum, Peach, Fig, Weeping Willow, and Magnolia trees; white and blue Hydrangeas, Azaleas, various Roses, Bleeding Hearts, Ferns, Periwinkle; Weigelia, Privet, and Barberry shrubs; succulents, and a vegetable garden.

Grandmother's garden was developed from "found" items, so to speak. My grandmother knew that plants could be started from the seeds they produced (no sterile hybrids for her). She also exchanged plants and cuttings with her neighbors. If she liked a plant, she made as many as she wanted from cuttings or seeds. Her neighborhood was filled with open fields (nowadays, almost gone for the rest of us), and these areas were great places to find plants.

Obviously, one of the things my grandmother brought to this garden and learned from it--was patience. In this era of instant gratification, we forget that good things are worth the wait, that patience really is a virtue, and that there is nothing wrong with frugality, either!

~Gertrude Jekyll, Jim Crockett, Grandmother, & I~

~Gertrude Jekyll, Jim Crockett, Grandmother, & I~

~Biographies~

*My grandmother started me down the garden path and Gertrude and Jim push me along. I do know that while all my mentors are deceased, I hear their voices loud and clear -- know the environment in which you want to garden, gardening is hard work, gardens take time to develop, start plants from cuttings, and that nature is not always on our side. In other words, be realistic, be frugal, and have patience.

*Gertrude Jekyll (1843 - 1932; photogragh from her book: Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden) has had the most pronounced influence on English and American gardening. She studied the landscape and designed flower borders, woodlands, and specimen tree and shrubery placement with regard to color, vista, soil, and year-round pleasure. Gertrude Jekyll approached the garden as a canvas. It has been said that Monet planted his gardens to paint them while Gertrude Jekyll's garden was the painting.

*James Underwood Crockett (1915 - 1979; photograph from his book: Crockett's Victory Garden) was the original host of PBS's The Victory Garden, then called Crockett's Victory Garden. I was fortunate to see his weekly shows. He showed that while gardening was work, it was also enjoyable with great rewards. While reading gardening books is informative, it was great to see and hear a gardener in action and see the results. It was good for morale! Jim made a statement on a show about asters that has become famous in my family because not only does it apply to gardening -- it applies to many things in life: Life is too short to stake asters.

*Painting of a child who reminds me of myself and grandmother in her garden: Monet - The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil.

~Gardening in Connecticut~

The Ice Age was not a good thing for gardeners in this area. On its march to Long Island and the sea, the glacier removed the soil down the bedrock and then when it melted, it dropped terminal moraine (rocks) in its wake -- except for southern Long Island where it was nice enough to deposit a glacial outwash plain (sand).

My family gardened on Long Island. When I moved to Connecticut and wanted to garden, I bought a shovel. What did I know? Quickly after that, my husband bought a pick axe.

Gardening here means "digging" out rocks and then going off to buy a truckload of topsoil--and while you are at it: sharp (not play or all-purpose) sand, and a ton of peat moss--to fill in the holes so that your plants may live long and prosper.
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Books, Magazines, & Web Sites (with Reviews)

Adding new items and comments as I think of them ...

****Books****
I have been gardening for a long time, Most of my books are probably out of print. Some of my books were bought new  and some are from used book stores or sale tables, thus they may have out of print even before I bought them! Many of the books only list the Latin names of the plants, so you may want to keep a plant reference book on hand to get the common names.

Check the library, sales tables at book stores, and used book stores for these and other gardening books. I have noticed while reviewing my books that many are British. For some reason, the Brits seem to write more about perennial gardens than we do (is this real or imagined? -- I don't know). The books are filled with "colour" photographs and good writing.

The books I have included are as "useful" for actual down in the dirt gardeners as for "arm chair" gardeners -- and any of us just wanting a relaxing hot cup of tea and good escapist reading.

My All Time Favorites:

Perennials (Time-Life Books) by James Underwood Crockett
This was one of the first gardening books I bought. It is one of a series covering all aspects of landscaping your home and was put out by Time-Life in the early 70s. I bought most of the series. They are all well-written, especially this one--I could not garden without this book. It has color photos of a number of perennial gardens and their layouts and plant lists. (I like layouts to get ideas about how to organize the plants.) It has information about how to prepare the soil, how to plant, how to maintain the garden, how to seed, how to make cuttings, how to divide plants, etc. The second half of the book contains a listing of plants with pictures and information about them. After the discussion, important information is listed in a chart. I have used this book so much, it is now just a collection of loose pages!


Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden  by Gertrude Jekyll
My book is a 1983 reprint by Graham Stuart Thomas of her 1908 book. Gertrude Jekyll's choice of plantings, textures, and color combinations in her design schemes are incredible. Her aim was to approach the garden as a canvas and to plant flowers in combination that form a painting. She shows how to see one's property for what it is and plan the gardens thoughtfully. Her planting schemes are clear and practical. I love her use of yucca in her borders (an under-used plant, I think)! She is not afraid of any plant! Her ability to combine the right shrubs and vines with her perennials, her use of annuals, potted plants, and ingenious "slight of hand" to keep the borders looking full and interesting--is quite something. Her book has plans of her personal gardens and lists all the plants used. Most of the photographs in the book are black and white -- but they coupled with her narrative give an inspiring view into designing and planting gardens.


Perennials for your Garden by Alan Bloom
The late Alan Bloom had been gardening in Britain since 1930. He developed Bressingham Gardens and many now well-known plants were introduced there. This book contains gorgeous color pictures of individual plants and pictures of perennial borders. There is a well-written discussion with each photograph. The book also contains to-scale garden layouts for borders and island beds, including detailed plant lists. This book is worth it even just for the photographs. The gardens are magnificant (besides, what would you expect from a gardener whose last name is "Bloom"?).

Also Very, Very Good:

Country Flowers - Wild Classics for the Contemporary Garden by Rob Proctor
The author decribes more than 70 flowers--including their history, lore, folk usages, and decorative possibilities. The folklore of these plants is delightful reading. Lots of color photographs depict the flowers in a variety of settings, including individula plants, plants in borders, in the fields, and in arrangements in the home. While this book was written for the Antique Flowers series, all the flowers that I have checked (so far) are available commercially. This is important to me because now I have even more plants to choose from for my borders. I hate to fall in love with a plant only to find out that I can't get it -- and I, and you all, will fall in love with these plants and their histories.  
Color Echoes - Harmonizing Color in the Garden by Pamela J. Harper
The author states "A color echo is the repetition of color as a means of creating unity, serenity, interest, and charm in a garden ...". I found this idea very interesting since I always thought that one had to repeat the same flower to do this. She includes many color photographs to illustrate her method, and many specific plant combinations are suggested including how to tone down harsh colors. The repetition (echo) can be in flower , foliage , berry, bark, or garden ornament color. She also includes a pictorial review of two echo borders, showing them over several year's time, and highlighting both their successes and failure.
Flower Garden Designs by Penelope Hobhouse
This book is a practical guide well-written by a master British gardener who has also created gardens here in the states. The author discusses the roles that a plant plays in the garden throughout the year. She  discusses the qualities needed for a plant to be a focal point, a companion plant, a plant for massing, or a "floral backdrop". She explains her principles of gardening by explaining the elements that make a good garden: design, planting, and practical gardening skills.  The book contains details of various gardens (with plans) for specific venues. The author also tells how to cultivate over 700 flowering plants.
The Summer Garden - Planning, Preparing, Enjoying by Jill Billington
Another British book. This book caught my eye because the title implies gardens for the season I am about to develop. Some of the plants she talks about may not grow as well in Connecticut, but she still has plenty to offer. The book is filled with beautiful color photos that could inspire anyone. The narrative is well-written and detailed. The book has many plans of gardens, each pertaining to a specific venue, including a border of summer annuals. Or -- just buy the book for hours of daydreaming in front of winter fires!

Reference Books:

Crockett's Victory Garden by James Underwood Crockett
This book was the companion to the TV show but it stands on its on. It is a month-by-month guide to gardening organized by the gardener's year (March through February). Every chapter begins with a general introduction to the month and the basic tasks involved, a checklist to things to do, a Feature of the Month, how to handle the crops, and questions and answers from the show. While the focus of the book is on vegetable gardens, it contains useful gardening information for all plants.

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****Magazines****
Fine Gardening $29.95
I subscribed to this magazine many years ago and I liked it. I just re-subscribed and I will let you know if it is still as good.

I just received my first issue. So far, I am pleased. I have found a number of interesting plants that I may try in my borders. I will add a more complete review after I read a couple of issues. Since the magazine is $29.99, it had better be very good!

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****Web Sites****
The Home Depot Garden Club Site (http://www.homedepotgardenclub.com/)  & The Home Depot Garden Shop
This site has an incredible database of plants (whether or not they sell them) and included in the information are suggested companion plants. This is also a great place to buy plants. The have an extensive selection of annuals, perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees. They also sell sod. The prices are hard to beat. Also, they are constantly getting new varieties throughout the growing season so I will be stopping by every week. They also have "specials". Remember to look outside the garden shop as well as within. They do not sell from the web site.

Lazy S'S Farm Storefront  (http://www.lazyssfarm.com/storefront.htm)
This site has a very extensive selection of plants including shrubs, etc. I have not bought from them but I will "try them" in the spring. The prices and shipping charges seem reasonable. There is very good information about the plants, lots of good color photos, and they suggest companion plants. The site is well planned and easy to navigate.

This is another site with a very extensive selection of plants including shrubs, etc. The perennials are young, some just mature seedlings. I have ordered from them many times in the past. Their plant quality and their service are excellent. Prices and shipping charges are reasonable. There is very good information about the plants and lots of good color photos. The site is well planned and easy to navigate.

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