Visit Marsh Botanical Gardens at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut

by Toni Leland

Spring is just around the corner, but here in Connecticut, it's still quite chilly most days. 

What a treat to roam through the beautiful greenhouses at the Marsh Botanical Gardens at Yale University in New Haven. Four huge greenhouses filled with wondrous things!

Located on the estate of Othniel Charles Marsh, a renowned paleontologist and dinosaur discoverer, the gardens began in earnest in 1922 and flourished greatly during the thirties and early forties, many with the guidance of reknowned landscape architect Beatrix Jones Farrand. As is so often the case, changes in demographics affected the work forces and slowly caused the gardens to fall into neglect. In the 1990's, the gardens again became the focus of restoration and, from then on, have continued to improve and flourish again

To plan your own visit, see the link at the end of this post. Now, enjoy!

Our tour began with the Tropical Collection, a veritable treasure house of luscious colors, textures, shapes, and scents.

Passion Flower (Passiflora 'Pura Vida Purple')

Canna Lily (Canna cv 'Ermine')

Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea)

Costa Rican Butterfly Vine (Dalechampia dioscoreifolia)

Protea (Protea)

Huperzia squarrosa

In another part of this greenhouse, we saw familiar faces from our own gardens.

Golden Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha cv 'Denver Gold')

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as Mother-in-law's Tongue

Who knew Dill could be so pretty?
Fern leaf Dill (Anethum graveleons cv 'Fernleaf')

Indian Mallow (Abutilon hybrid)

Outside this particular greenhouse, the staff has constructed an outdoor microclimate corner with a Koi pond and a camilia bush that was just about to bloom.

Interesting Koi–note the one on the far left that looks like a skeleton.
(photo courtesy Jennifer Carter)

Leaving the Tropical Collection, we proceeded to the interesting and sometimes creepy world of Carnivorous Plants. Some of the shapes and colors were straight out of a modern art class!

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

Cobra Lily (Darlingtonia californica)

After petting Eli, the resident feline (who was the biggest cat I've ever seen), we moved into the Desert House. 

Succulents & Cacti need little water

Dozens of different cacti and succulents thrive in this beautifully-designed setting.


The outdoor gardens were, of course, still sleeping. But a return visit is planned when spring really gets here.

Where? Marsh Botanical Gardens
Yale University, New Haven, CT

Marsh Botanical Gardens

Flower Shows: The Answer to Gardening Withdrawal in Winter

by Toni Leland

One of the things I miss most in the frigid months here in New England is being outdoors in my gardens. Even just strolling around each flower bed in the morning with my coffee is enough to set my spirits for the day. If I can dig in the soil – even better! So how do I work my way through the winter months?

Dreaming. And planning. And attending every flower show and garden symposium I can get to. Here are some of the great "cures" I found last winter. At the end of this post, I've listed some attractions that might help you get through the hibernating months.

I'd love to hear your own ideas!

Imagine stepping in from a cold, snowy day to see this!

You can dream about the magnificent spring show provided by Rhododendrons.
This one is Rhododendron 'Yak' – a color palette of pinks.

Flower and garden shows are an excellent way to learn about new varieties of old favorites, or discover specimens completely new to you. The Connecticut Flower Show gave me a glimpse of plants I'd completely forgotten.

My garden definitely needs some of these fabulous Ranunculus plants.
Don't they almost look like crepe paper flowers?

I've never grown Calla Lilies, but these beauties make me want to try

Scattered strategically amongst the unique and new plant varieties are the landscaping favorites we all love.

Pieris japonica 'Brouwers Beauty' fills that partly shady spot in the landscape, growing more abundant flowers ever year.
(This shrub is also known as Andromeda.)

Some planning is definitely  needed to decide where this gigantic Hosta 'Sum and Substance' might fit – but it would be worth it!

Love houseplants? Feast your eyes and soul on the wide variety of beautiful plants in full bloom. Many will grow outdoors year 'round in warmer climes, but for us northern staters, they brighten the winter corners of our homes.

Cyclamen! Exotic, colorful, lush low-light plants to give your spirits a lift.

A burst of summer color is everywhere you look, from perennials to shrubs to trees.

We don't see Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) until July, but what a treat!

Not only will you find the perfect plant(s) for your gardens, but gardening and home shows will have hundreds of beautiful and useful items for your outdoor pleasure.

I definitely need this birdbath!

I'm pretty sure I can find a place for this!

Here are some great winter gardening events for your inspection.

• Connecticut Flower & Garden Show, Hartford, CT – February 22-25, 2018
• Boston Flower & Garden Show, Boston, MA – March 14-18, 2018
• New Jersey Flower & Garden Show, Edison, NJ – February 22-25, 2018
• Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, WA – February 7-11, 2018
• Philadelphia International Flower Show, Philadelphia, PA – March 3-11, 2018
• Chicago Flower & Garden Show, Chicago, IL – March 14-18, 2018
• Capital District Garden & Flower Show, Troy, NY – March 23-25, 2018
• Boise Flower & Garden Show, Boise, ID – March 23-25, 2018
• Columbus Dispatch Home & Garden Show, Columbus, OH – February 17-25, 2018
• Omaha Home & Garden Expo, Omaha, NE – February 8-11, 2018
• For other ideas to lighten your winter doldrums, read my article at Dave's Garden.
• Other venues include garden symposiums sponsored by agricultural colleges, Master Gardener programs, and garden clubs. Check your local listings.

A word of warning: if you go to one of these events, be prepared to come home with dozens of ideas and, probably, a plant or two.

Newport Flower Show 2017

by Toni Leland

The 2017 Newport Flower Show opened its 22nd annual event on June 23, and visitors were in for a surprise. Themed after a French Country Market setting, “Fête Des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres” expanded its offerings to cover a wide range of interests and tastes. The show was held June 23 through June 25 at Rosecliff mansion on Bellvue Avenue and featured many interesting exhibits and events.

Elegant Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island

The front lawn was resplendent with elaborate plant-filled urns and unique landscape beds with modern sculpture at the focal points. Tents around the perimeter featured vendors with a variety of market-type goods, from plants and garden needs to special foods to outdoor wear to pottery and sculpture.

Inside the mansion, the main ballroom was the display case for gorgeous floral creations from well-respected designers. Another room featured painting and art on the floral or garden theme. A third room introduces visitors to the history of art and plein air painting.

After absorbing all these beautiful creations, we moved to the verandah to enjoy beautiful table settings with garden or floral themes. Then down the grand marble steps to the fountain and a sea of tents with everything and anything you could want.

Look closely to see the "living" plant in the center!

The big attractions on opening day were an interview with fashion icon, Iris Apfel, while enjoying the Afternoon Tea Reception. The tent was packed, and Iris was her usual charming self. On Saturday, Jeff Leatham—celebrity floral designer—and Dr. Eric T. Haskell—noted scholar on French garden history—gave luncheon lectures. Many free lectures and demonstrations were also ongoing throughout the weekend, including plant experts, flower designers, and gardeners.

Fashion Icon Iris Apfel

A Saturday event invited you to spend the evening at Fête de la Lune (Feast by Moonlight) strolling and shopping, then partaking of a summer picnic basket supper. After the meal, the movie A Little Chaos was shown; a 2015 hit, the film features Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, and Stanley Tucci.

Marie Antoinette joined the evening opening reception!

On Sunday, the Champagne & Jazz Brunch brought you into the final day of the show on the front lawn.

The Newport Flower Show is always open to the public, and tickets to the special events are also available online at www.NewportFlowerShow.org

A magnificent setting, a historic home, and the beautiful blue sea were just a few of the wonders of the Newport Flower Show!

All photographs ©Toni Leland. 

Gardening Problems

by Toni Leland

This is the raw truth! More on this subject in an upcoming post.

Preparing for Pollinators in Spring Gardens

by Toni Leland

The news hasn't been good about our pollinators. Insecticides, herbicides, and destruction of habitat are among the culprits that destroy or reduce our bee and butterfly populations.

According to The Xerces Society, "Nearly 75% of all plants on earth require animals for pollination." That's a big responsibility for those creatures we have around us and possibly take for granted.

Columbine

What can we do right now?

Plant spring-blooming flowers in your landscape, especially if there are no fruit trees or early shrubs. Some good suggestions are:

• Columbine
• California poppies
• Sweet alyssum
• Larkspur
• Bachelors' buttons
• Clarkia
• Cerinthe
• Cilantro
• Lenten rose

Plant containers with pansies, primroses, hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils and place them strategically in sheltered spots in your garden.

Primrose

These plants "...will sustain bumblebees, miner bees, and other native pollinators until the summer nectar and pollen sources become plentiful."

Information and inspiration for this post courtesy ezfromseed.org