Author Archives: Tovah Martin

Syringa ‘Bluets’

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Tovah Martin

It’s coming into my office to find me again. Climbing in through the windows, pushing the curtains aside, floating over to the computer to lure me outside. Sometimes it throws its voice like a ventriloquist. Sometimes it spreads its sweetness … Continue reading →

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Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina Florida’

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Tovah Martin

Often, the garden is shrouded in darkness by the time I return from my evening walk in summer. I forgot my flashlight (again). I forgot to turn on the front door light (again). Street lamps are strictly budgeted in our … Continue reading →

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Magnolia ‘Goldfinch’

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Tovah Martin

There are no shirkers on my premises. At least, not of the woody kind. If you’re going to hang around in my yard, you darn well better perform. And I’m not just talking about a brief blooming gig, either. I … Continue reading →

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Fritillaria raddeana

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Tovah Martin

As you suspected all along, I’m a pushover. Why did I imagine that I could host a blog that rates plants? I’m incapable of criticizing anything. Even if I think that something doesn’t live up to my expectations, five minutes … Continue reading →

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Tulipa ‘Flaming Purissima’

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Tovah Martin

I’m an idea thief. I’ve admitted it before and I’ll confess it again — if someone dangles a great idea in my face, it’s going to get snatched. So, when Jacqueline van der Kloet (the Dutch Bulb Sorceress par excellence) … Continue reading →

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Helleborus ‘Candy Love’

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Tovah Martin

In spring, pretty much the whole town steps out to promenade. This isn’t a huge crowd — we’re a tiny town. But without the burden of lawn mowing (yet), everyone takes a walk. And the only place to safely accomplish … Continue reading →

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Allium sphaerocephalon

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Tovah Martin

So I goofed. Nothing new there. I’m a numskull on a regular basis. But I figured I’d confess my stupidity in public so you could all have a good chuckle, call me an idiot, and learn from my blunders. Not … Continue reading →

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Allium karataviense

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Tovah Martin

It takes balls to turn heads. At least, that’s what I’m told. I think that I read it first in The Avant Gardener — that wonderful print newsletter. Apparently, orb-shaped flowers (or clusters of flowers) ring bells in popularity polls. … Continue reading →

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Geum ‘Bell Bank’

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Tovah Martin

Not everyone can be the rooster. Somebody’s got to be the flock. In fact, has anyone else noticed that garden design is moving more toward mass and edging away from divas? The superstar plant might bring in the cheers, but … Continue reading →

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Viburnum plicatum ‘Mary Milton’

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Tovah Martin

I wait for Viburnum plicatum ‘Mary Milton’ to bloom the way other people anticipate their first slobbery bite of a field-grown summer tomato. Memories of ‘Mary Milton’ dribble through my consciousness during winter, making the dormant season bearable. Although you’d … Continue reading →

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