Recent Posts
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annuals, Building, Cold Frame Construction, Extending the Growing Season, Garden Maintenance, Garden Science, Green House Gardens, Herb Gardening, The Seasons, Tomatoes, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager, Winter Garden, Winter Solstice
Shelter Me: Keeping the Kitchen Garden Warm and Productive as Temps Drop…
Basil and Calendula cozy up beneath a misty dome in my garden… The first frost of autumn sparkled on my lawn when I awoke Saturday morning. And although it wasn’t a true ‘killing-frost’ —the morning glories slipped right through Jack’s chilly hands— a few things were nipped here and there in my potager. Most of […]
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Color in the Garden, Ferncliff, Great Blogs, Other Blogs
Honored to be Today’s Featured Guest: Martha Stewart Living’s Beautiful Blog ‘At Home in the Garden’…
See My Guest-Post “Designing Gardens for Beautiful Late Season Color”, With Accompanying Slide Show, At Martha Stewart’s “At Home in the Garden” by Clicking Here! I’m absolutely honored and thrilled to announce that I am featured today as the first guest-blogger on Martha Stewart Living’s ‘At Home in the Garden’. Â I would like to express […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Ferncliff, Foliage, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Hydrangea, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennials : Vermont, Perennials for Autumn, Pergolas and Arbors, Planting Techniques, Plants for Light Effects, Plants for Texture, Purple and Maroon Foliage, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, The Seasons, Woody Plants
Opposites Attract: Autumn Golds Glow Beside Vibrant Violets, Pale Plums & Lovely Lavenders…
An October knock-out: Clematis viticella ‘Polish Spirit’ (my new favorite) sings harmony at the edge of the golden-chartreuse fields of autumn Oh beautiful, technicolor October, my favorite month of the year. On glorious fall days like today, I live to be outdoors from dawn to dusk, playing in the garden’s golden light. With all of the […]
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Aletha Soule, Cooking, Cooking with Kids, Drying, Gourmet Garden, Kitchen, Preserving, Preserving Herbs, Putting Food By, The Seasons, Tomatoes, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager
The Sweetness of Summer, Saved in a Jar: Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil…
Sun Dried Tomatoes on the Terrace Homemade Sun Dried Tomatoes and Herbs in Olive Oil in My Pantry Hillside in Autumn Rain… Beautiful, misty mountain tops and grey, moody skies greeted me when I awoke this morning. It seems that the wet, unsettled weather has returned to New England this week, and I —for one— […]
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Garden Rooms, Glamorous Gardens, Gothic Garden, House Plants, Indoor Gardening, Indoor Table Arrangements, Secret Garden at Ferncliff, Secret Garden Room, Secret Gardens, Shade Gardening, Terrariums, The Seasons, Tropical Plants, Urns and Vessels, Wardian Cases
Indoor Eden: The Secret Garden Room…
Where does the Secret Garden lead? The Garden Room, of course… Brrrrrrr… There’s a chill in the air this morning! Low temps hovered around 34 degrees fahrenheit last night, and in spite of the bright sunshine, it sure feels like fall now. Jack Frost hasn’t yet made his inaugural, autumn visit to the garden, but […]
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Cooking, Potatoes, Recipes, The Seasons, Tomatoes, Uncategorized, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager, Vermont
Welcome October! Capture the Beautiful Flavors & Colors of Harvest Season with Autumn Vegetable Stew…
The Colors of the Season – Autumn Harvest Stew I am a true New Englander. And while I do treasure all of the year’s beautiful seasons, I have to admit that October is my favorite month. I love autumn’s unique combination of fleeting, sensory pleasures; the subtle, changing light, intensely colored foliage, rich textures, savory […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Dark Plants, Ferncliff, Ferns, Foliage, Hardy shrubs, Home, Hydrangea, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, North American Trees, Ornamental Berries and Fruit, ornamental grass, Perennials : Vermont, Perennials for Autumn, Plants for Light Effects, Plants for Texture, Rain Gear, Raindrops, Shoes/Boots, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, The Seasons, Trees, Trees for Fall Foliage, Vermont, Viburnum, Wildflowers and Meadows, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Singin’ and Dancin’ in the Rain….. Vibrant Colors on a Late September Day
Raindrops on Birch – Late September at Ferncliff Grey skies and fog… Are those downpours drumming on my roof? Why yes! At long last, the heavens have opened up; two days and a forecast filled with showers! Suddenly saturated, the colors of early autumn seem to be singin’ and dancin’ in the rain. Chinese orange […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Bee-Friendly Gardens, Beneficial Animals and Insects, Berries, Bird Friendly Gardens, Birds, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Dark Plants, Early Spring Garden Plants, Ferncliff, flowering shrubs, Foliage, Fragrance, Herb Gardening, Native North American Woodlands, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, North American Trees, Ornamental Berries and Fruit, Plant Spotlight, Plants for Light Effects, Plants for shade, Plants for sun, Purple and Maroon Foliage, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Spring Blooming Bulbs, The Seasons, Unusual Plants, Viburnum, Witch hazel, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Mellow Yellow: Lovely Lindera Benzoin, North American Native Spicebush…
Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) in front of the Secret Garden wall (see complete plant list below) The question comes up every September in my garden. The meter-reader, oil delivery driver and countless guests have asked: “What’s that bright yellow shrub over there by the wall  …The one covered with birds and red berries?” When I ask, […]
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Artful Garden Objects, Candles, Ferncliff, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Party, Gifts for Gardeners, Lighting, Luminarias (Tin), Night Garden
Shadows Lengthen & Darkness Falls: Illuminate Autumn’s Velvety Nights…
Simple Tin Buckets filled with Sand and Tea Lights Line the Stone Steps at Ferncliff Twilight in the garden: dusky violet skies and long shadows brush the horizon. Night falls, and the silhouettes of flowers and feathery foliage sway dramatically in the fading light. This is my favorite time to walk through the garden, watching […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Berries, Bird Friendly Gardens, Birds, Garden Design, Late Autumn Garden, Ornamental Berries and Fruit, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Shrubs with Colorful Twigs/Stems, The Seasons, Winter Garden, Woody Plants
Oh, Tutti Frutti: It’s Candy Land Time! Magical & Colorful Ornamental Berries…
Circus-like baubles on candy-coral stems, literally cover this (Viburnum lentago) nannyberry viburnum in my garden Red twig dogwood berries (Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’) bring to mind mini marshmallow bits and and rainbow jimmies Just like orange-flavored Tic-Tacs – The sight of these Chinese-orange berries on my tea viburnum (V. setigerum ) always gives me a little […]
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Apples, Autumnal Equinox, Celebrations, Cocktails, Cooking, Ferncliff, Foliage, Full Moon, Heirloom Apples, Native Plants, Nature, North American Trees, ornamental grass, The Last Day of Summer, The Seasons, Vermont, Woodland plants
A Toast to the Last Day of Summer: Greeting the Autumnal Equinox with Spiced, Heirloom Apple Cider Martinis…
Spiced Apple Cider Martini with Dolgo Crab Apple and Cinnamon Stick Garnish Farewell to summer! The autumnal equinox will occur at 3:09 am UTC (GMT) on September 23rd this year. So —depending upon where you live—autumn will officially begin sometime this evening, September 22nd, or in the wee hours of September 23rd. Here in New […]
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Cooking, Recipes, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager
Toward a Bigger Brussels Sprout: Special Guest Post by John Miller…
Hands up to all whose first reaction was: “Why brussels sprouts at all?”. And now a tip as to how to make them bigger? I can not think of another vegetable so reviled. They also seem to be the poster child for unimaginative marketing; having been promoted as an unappetizing vegetable, forced upon us by […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Cooking, Dining Outdoors, Fire Features, Home, Recipes
A Prelude to Autumn in Red & Gold: Roasted Beet and Fresh Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze…
Roasted Red and Gold Beets with Fresh Arugula, Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze… As I look out past the terrace this evening — down into the Green River Valley— bright orange, gold, rust and red flashes pepper the the nearby hillside and mountains beyond. There’s no denying it now… All of nature’s signs point toward […]
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Books, Bulbs, Ferncliff, Ferns, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Paths
Buried Treasures: From Ruby Tulips & Golden Narcissus, to Sapphire Bluebells, Some of Springtime’s Loveliest Jewels are Planted in the Cool, Autumn Earth…
A tisket, a tasket, a basket full of Narcissus. These bulbs were planted last autumn in my garden… Anticipation. True gardeners really know how to revel in the wait. We are, essentially, pleasure-delayers. Gardening differs from many modern-day activities in one significant way: it is not an instant gratification activity. Not at all. Gardeners do […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Bee-Friendly Gardens, Black Plants, Butterflies and Moths, Chartreuse, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Dark Plants, Exotic Plants, Fantasy Flowers, Ferncliff, Ferns, Foliage, Fragrance, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Rooms, Gardening Inspiration, Glamorous Gardens, Gothic Garden, Hummingbird/Butterfly, Native Plants, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennials for Autumn, Plant Spotlight, Plants for shade, Plants for Texture, Purple and Maroon Foliage, Secret Garden at Ferncliff, Secret Gardens, Shade Gardening, The Seasons, Woodland plants
Fashionably Late & Dressed in Maroon: Sweetly-Scented, Autumn Fairy Candles Light Up the Shadowy, Secret Garden…
Actaea simplex/Cimicifuga simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty {also known variously as Fairy Candles, Black Snake Root & Black Cohosh} Actaea simlex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’, here in the Secret Garden with Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Lamium maculatum, Helleborus x hybridus ‘Royal Heritage Strain’, Paeonia mouton x lutea ‘High Noon’, Stewartia pseudocamilla, and a background of bronzing Matteuccia […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Bee-Friendly Gardens, Berries, Birds, Butterflies and Moths, Chartreuse, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Cutting Garden, Ferncliff, Flower Seeds, Fresh Cut Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Honeybee Friendly Gardening, Hummingbird/Butterfly, Native Plants, ornamental grass, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennials for Autumn, Plant Spotlight, Planting Techniques, Plants for Light Effects, Plants for sun, Plants for Texture, Seeds, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, The Seasons, Woody Plants
Flickering Like Flames: Scarlet Red, Brilliant Orange & Burnished Gold … Early Signs of Change in the Garden…
The bold vermillion of late summer: Rosa rugosa’s bright and beautiful hips Cobalt-Violet Annual Asters Fill Beds Planned for Cutting in the Potager… This morning, I watched as a flock of sparrows splashed joyfully in a tiny pool on the stone terrace. Showers passed through the area yesterday afternoon and evening; refreshing the garden and […]
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Cooking, Cooking with Kids, Garden projects for kids, Gourmet Garden, Kitchen, Plant Spotlight, Recipes, Tomatoes, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager
A Garden of Bold Tastes and Colors: Oven-Roasted Tomatoes Stuffed with Ruby Red Chard, Fresh Herbs and Vermont Cheddar…
Golden Tomatoes, Stuffed with Chard and Cheddar, Oven-Roasted to Perfection Every garden year is different, and in the northeast, 2010 couldn’t be more opposite from 2009. A summer ago, the weather was cold and wet, and I was rained out of more projects than I care to remember. By the end of last year’s growing […]
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Annual Flowers, annuals, Cutting Garden, Ferncliff, Flower arrangements, Foliage, Indoor Table Arrangements, Music in the Garden, Nature, Vases
Musical Arrangements for the Vase… Autumn Rhythm and Lavender Mist
Autumn Rhythm… And Lavender Mist… Harmonious late-summer floral arrangements in lavender and gold strike a rich and resonant chord on a grey September afternoon. Gathered from the woodland edges and surrounding meadow, gypsy wildflowers and late garden bloomers fill the house with vibrant color. Whether grouped together in a classic orchestra, jazzy duet, or soulful, […]
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Artful Garden Objects, Building, Ferncliff, Fire Features, Fire Pits, Fire Pits and Fire Sculpture, Fun in the Garden, Garden Party, Garden Rooms, Gardening Inspiration, Glamorous Gardens, Gothic Garden, Sculpture, Sculpture and Features, stonework, The Seasons, Urns and Vessels, Water Features
The Art of Fire: Creating a Glowing Garden Atmosphere on Chilly Evenings…
Dan Snow Fire Sculpture – Peter Mauss photo courtesy Dan Snow Though September’s noontime hours may still be warm and humid, the clear, cool nights of late summer hint at things yet to come; glowing embers, wool blankets, and velvet skies filled with stars. On chilly evenings, my garden comes alive with pops, cracks and […]
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Color in the Garden, Dark Plants, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, ornamental grass, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennials for Autumn, Perennials for summer
Glorious, Late Summer Garden Design: Combinations Featuring Light-Catching Texture and Bold, Contrasting Color…
Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ and ‘Matrona’, stunning in combination here at Ferncliff with bluish hues, such as the Juniperus chinensis, sargentii glauca (shown above) and later, with the tawny tufts of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ (also pictured above, prior to inflorescence) It’s early September, and the garden has only just begun to glow with a warm, bronzy […]
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Annual Flowers, annuals, Books, Garden projects for kids, Plant Propagation, Plant Science, Seed- Saving, Seeds, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager
Closing the Circle: Save Your Seeds! Special Guest Post by John Miller ….. Plus Seed Saving Books & Resources
It may only be September, but guest-blogger John Miller of the Old Schoolhouse Plantery is already thinking about next spring… Come January, the main horticultural activity for many gardeners —myself included— is thumbing through the newly arrived seed catalogues; dreaming of warm summer days and freshly-picked produce from the garden. A trip to the supermarket […]
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