Author Archives: aheronsgarden

Spunky and Pokey: Fawns of the Year

Sometimes the latch sticks, so this evening it took me a moment to make sure the gate was properly closed. When I turned to go, the fawn was standing in the middle of the path. We were about four or … Continue reading

Posted in Deer in Garden, Hydrangeas, Summer, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dry Leaves: Garden Heroes

A Trail of Discovery I began to figure it out about 40 years ago, when our kids were young and we thought we were still the bosses in the family. We were middle class America living in classic suburbia. If … Continue reading

Posted in Compost, Creating compost, Creating soil, Soil, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Look for Gardens Everywhere

Visiting gardens for us is like collecting plants. We can never see enough or have enough. Quite regularly, Susan and I go hunting for plants, whether we need them or not. Usually we can find several that we didn’t realize … Continue reading

Posted in Alpine Gardens, Brookgreen, Butchart Gardens, Canada, Chanticleer, England, France, Ireland, Visiting Gardens | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Intrigue at the Blue Mist Discos

It’s September and Blue Mist Discos are open everywhere, reminding me that, yes, it is September, and it is their time to open. Next spring I’ll be pulling tired old skeletons left from fall carousing and waiting till next fall … Continue reading

Posted in wildflowers, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Grand Hydrangeas of Ireland

Michael said he would think of me whenever he saw a hydrangea in bloom. I will never forget the hydrangeas of Ireland. They seduced me. And to think it was only by chance that we saw them in full and … Continue reading

Posted in Hydrangeas, Ireland, lacecap hydrangeas, mophead hydrangeas, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

More Meatballs and Lollipops, Please

Years ago, a certain company offered two types of fantastic seed tapes. Each one was guaranteed to produce instant results for cottage gardeners and formal gardeners alike. In case you want to follow up on this terrific offer, the order … Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Creating a Garden, Hosta, Hydrangeas, Native Plants, Summer, Uncategorized, wildflowers, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Letter to Lovers of the Blue

(Pink, Red and White, Too) Dear Reader, I do hope you are keeping your mopheads safe and locked tight. Perhaps an insurance policy, or maybe two On them? A simple wire cage will never do. One never knows when a … Continue reading

Posted in Hydrangeas, lacecap hydrangeas, mophead hydrangeas, Summer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plants for Pennies

It began in earnest many years ago with a Master Gardener class on how to propagate plants by taking stem cuttings. I must have been having a relapse of Empty Nest syndrome then. Oh, the possibilities! Bob the Builder was … Continue reading

Posted in Creating a Garden, Hydrangeas, Native Plants, propagation, Spring shrubs | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

To the Trenches, Mates, for the Annual Hosta-Slug Fest

Yes folks, we have revolutionary new weaponry to combat slug-attacks on hostas. It’s safe for us humans and safe for the environment. It recycles natural resources, and it’s readily available in many gardens, so there’s absolutely no cost. What more … Continue reading

Posted in Hosta, Slugs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Praise of Winter Stalwarts

Old man sun crossed the equinox right on schedule early last week. The spring parade begins. Redbud, crabapple, serviceberry, lady banks rose, forsythia, spireas, flowering almond, liberated by light from winter’s deep sleep, are racing to be brightest and best. … Continue reading

Posted in Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment