It’s not just because I grow and sell REAL flowers – it’s because I am a bird lover. That’s right. Plastic flowers are bad for birds (and bees and the environment). Let me explain. Hummingbirds feed on nectar from all types of flowers. They don’t follow their noses to the blooms – they follow their eyes. Hummingbirds, and most other … Read More
Spring into Action — Indoors!
It’s too early for Spring Fever, but a warm day in February leads to pre-spring fever. Why not satisfy some of that urge by doing some indoor cultivating? Indoor plants are trending now, even among those who have never had an outdoor space to tend. Indoor foliage adds beauty, and there is mounting research showing that indoor plants contribute to … Read More
Snobs with Clean Hands But Dark Hearts
A woman who is a professional gardener in another state recently shared an experience on a social media page I follow. On a very hot day, she was cleaning out some flower beds in a highway median. Hot and sweaty, she went to a nearby convenience store for a cold drink. Another woman walked in with her granddaughter and remarked … Read More
Sometimes We Have to Be Reminded of Why We are Here
This morning, I opened an email from HGTV about the Ultimate House Hunt 2020. The article featured beautiful photos of hugely expensive homes from all over the world. What struck me most: the vast majority of the photos were not pictures of bathrooms or kitchens. By far, most of the photos were of the exteriors of the houses,featuring stunning views, … Read More
The Year I Became a Gardener
You may think it odd. My family has owned a garden center for more than 70 years, and I have worked there for about 50 years. But this year, 2020, is the first year I became a real gardener. I am not alone. Millions of people, forced to stay at home by the Covid-19 shutdown, and possibly inspired by the … Read More