Ten Interesting Facts about Chestnuts
Karen As the Christmas song tells us, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…Help to make the season bright.” To many, however, chestnuts have been a staple food rather than a holiday…
Gardens of Pompeii: Animals in the Garden
The Romans enjoyed animals in the garden just as we do. Birds, dogs, cats, and fish all had a place in Roman life. Evidence for the presence of animals in…
Enkutatash: Ethiopian New Year
While most of us in the United States celebrate New Year on January 1st, many people around the world do not. Ethiopians, here and in their native land celebrate it…
Hanukkah or Thanksgiving?
This year the beginning of Hanukkah falls on November 28, the same day as Thanksgiving. Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, is an eight day…
History of Gardens: Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden occupies a unique position in the history of gardens. Described in Genesis 2-3 of the Christian Bible, it is where God created man and woman, animals,…
Hops and a Visit to a Microbrewery
I was looking through a catalog the other day to find a vine suitable for the obelisk in the formal garden and came upon hops. Two kinds were listed, one…
The Story of Iris
The genus Iris includes over 250 species that range in size from the diminutive Iris danfordiae and I reticulata (4-6”) to tall I. pallid, I. siberica, and I. pseudacorus growing…
Mushroom Fairy Rings
Have you every noticed that after a rainfall in spring or summer mushrooms spring up unexpectedly everywhere and are especially noticeable in lawns? The mushrooms may be small or large…
Gardens of Pompeii: Water Features
In the early days of Pompeii, the grand houses of the wealthy residents did not have an easy source of water and the gardens in the center of the houses…
The Story of the Common Hyacinth
The familiar hyacinth plant appears in spring with its heady fragrance and is loved by some, scorned by others. It became very popular in Holland during the 18th century and…