Bruce Crawford

There is an old saying that “good things come in threes.”  Supposedly, it stems from an ancient belief that three of something is complete and ideal.  Hence, “third time is the charm” and, should you have the good fortune of finding a Genie, you might be the beneficiary of three wishes!  Even in the world of gardening, arranging plants in groups of three makes them look more natural.  One plant that certainly embodies the beauty of three is the genus of Trillium , as displayed by the image of...

Snowflakes are magical!  Even after this past winter, I suspect most people will still admit snowflakes have a certain enchanting quality.  However, for some gardeners, snowflakes do not come from the air but from the ground!  Leucojum vernum  or Spring Snowflake is among the first of the bulbs to come into bloom, often beginning in February while the ground is still covered beneath an icy blanket (as pictured below in mid-February at Willowwood Arboretum).  Like a good snowfall, the pendant...

It’s February!  Although the garden is still emersed in winters grasp, February brings growing signs that spring is not far away.  Evergreens are certainly one stalwart sign of life, yet there are a number of plants with colorful stems or unfurling flower buds that show the garden is still very much alive despite the temperatures.  One plant whose buds are showing signs of life is the Willow, botanically known as Salix .  Often overlooked for reasons unknown, there are several species that...