California’s native oaks have always evoked the feeling of “home” for me, even though I spent my first quarter-century well east of the Sierra Nevada. From afar, I appreciate the muscular, sculptural beauty of coast live oaks. Up close, I love the multitude of birds and other critters that are drawn to the trees.
I want to introduce a beautiful purple rose called the Ebb Tide. Ebb Tide may be the deepest, darkest, most scrumptious purple rose I’ve ever seen. If you love purple roses, this is certainly one for your collection.
Kitchens have been on overdrive since Thanksgiving, with Christmas Day, perhaps, being the swan song for an outdated or dysfunctional one – that is, if Santa got the message.
“Anyone may have diamonds: an heirloom is an ornament of quite a different kind.” – Elizabeth Aston
In 1932, George Liebenstein gave Maud Taylor a silver tea set engraved with initials “MTL” to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. More than eight decades later, it sits in our home, reminding us of our family’s past.
Did you see any monarch butterflies in your garden this year? If not – or if you want to see more – consider creating a monarch waystation. That’s a pollinator garden designed specifically to cater to the needs of monarchs.
I have introduced some of my favorite roses to the readers of the Town Crier, such as Pierre de Ronsard, Geoff Hamilton and Wollerton Old Hall roses. However, all of these are modern roses. I would like to introduce an old garden rose – Reine des Violettes, also called Queen of the Violets.
