The Goddess Flora and her Garden
Karen Flora was an ancient Italian diety and was the goddess of the flowers and mother of spring. She may be recognized in art by a garland of flowers on her…
Saturnalia: Christmas in the Time of Julius Caesar and his Friends
The title of this post is misleading; Caesar and his friends lived decades before the birth of Christ so could not have celebrated it. But they did celebrate a festival…
Pussy Willows at Easter
Easter traditions commonly include eggs, rabbits, Easter lilies, palms, jelly beans and other candy. For some people, however, pussy willows can be added to the list. Pussy willows are one…
Gardens in Art: Parterres
If you have visited colonial gardens such as those in Williamsburg you may have noticed the low beds edged with boxwood often with a tree in the center. In the…
Gardens in Art: Introduction
Have you ever noticed that many paintings include gardens? The garden is usually the background for some person or activity that is featured in the foreground but sometimes the garden…
Facts about the “Partridge in a Pear Tree”
The partridge in a pear tree is a familiar image at Christmas time especially during the twelves days afterward commemorated by the famous song. But have you ever thought about…
History of Christmas Greens: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Few plants evoke images of the South like southern magnolia. The tall evergreen trees are native from coastal Virginia to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma and it is…
Winter Solstice for Gardeners
The winter solstice isn’t just for gardeners, of course, but it does have special significance for their plants. The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day and longest…
History of Christmas Greens: White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Decorating for the Christmas holidays inevitable leads to using white pine, valued for its long, flexible needles that stay on the branches for weeks after being cut. The bluish-green color…
History of Christmas Greens: Holly (Ilex spp.)
Christmas would not be the same without boughs of holly decorating the mantle, chandeliers and tables. Both English (Ilex aquifolium) and American Holly (I. opaca) are used, each with their…