Planning A Spring Rose Garden

Gene Boerner Magnificent Floribunda, 2013 spring bloom

Growing roses can be easy. Most gardeners tell me they want a rose garden. Time constraints today demand easy steps to see quick results and the considerable cost that we invest in our gardens require lasting success. When asked why they don’t grow roses most people tell me they think Continue Reading

Vignette One: The Chicago Flower and Garden Show’s ‘Appeal’ of John Gidding

John Gidding at the 'W'

  Vignette. I like the sound of it, don’t you? A French word, it can be used as a noun or a verb. To bring you the wonders of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, a Tony Abruscato Flower Show Production* that I was a speaker at last week, I Continue Reading

Rose Pruning Primer: A Guide To Pruning Roses

Floribunda Rose Garden

 Pruning post traumatic stress disorder (PPTSD) Remembered Kids do say the darnedest things.” Traveling South on the N. Dallas Tollway,  5 year old Ella said, “Gaga, I’ve been thinking ’bout goin’ to church but my parents don’t even know what day it is.” “Gabi always knows what day it is Continue Reading

Why I Wrote Four Seasons of Roses

Julia Child

Necessity…the mother of invention ~ Plato Necessity is why I wrote Four Seasons of Roses 2014 Monthly Guide to Rose Care.  Everyone that visits my rose garden tells me that they want roses.  I ask them “what’s standing between you and the object of your desire?” The answer is always Continue Reading

Living Christmas Trees | Red Roses | The White House Historical Assoc. Christmas Ornaments

Norfolk Pine Fresh for the Holidays

  Norfolk Pine A Living Christmas Tree The White House Historical Association creates and sells an ornament each year to commemorate how presidents through the years have celebrated Christmas in the White House. One of my favorites is the 2003 White House Ornament. It’s a boy on a rocking horse. Continue Reading