Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

A Year in Review: Faves of 2016

February is a wonderful month for planning.  It’s chilly outside, but warm in the Potting Shed and greenhouse where we hunker down for the winter.  The greenhouses are stuffed full with plants and our brains are … Read more.

Gone to Seed

While the light changes and we keep up with the last deadheading of the season, seeds begin to appear in the garden.  They are everywhere, in every shape and size.  Each plant has its own … Read more.

Charmed

August is exhausting, it has to be said.  The extreme heat and humidity drains every desire I have to linger in the garden.  It seems as though, here in little Rhode Island, everyone and their … Read more.

The News

I love new plants.  It always feels a little bit like Christmas morning when I see a new plant come into flower for the first time–except I have to be patient as it unwraps itself. … Read more.

Cosmos on my mind

    It’s been a hot and humid July week.  Any delusions I had of enjoying a cool, temperate summer have evaporated into the extreme humidity.  However, on the bright side, flowers are bursting out … Read more.

Garden fireworks

Happy Fourth of July weekend!  It’s that time of the summer when we finally begin to take a step back from our full-speed-ahead mode of May and June.  Just when Gail, Sean (our intern this … Read more.

Springing into action

Despite the wretched weather this week, we ushered in May with a flurry of activity.  The volunteers helped us pot up 100 dahlias in preparation for planting out in the gardens next month.  They also … Read more.

Decadent Decorations Dominate the Staircase

Although Hurricane Sandy struck Rhode Island last Sunday-Monday evening, Blithewold’s dedicated decorators were back in action Wednesday, pushing forward with their decorating mission. While walking through the mansion I was able to speak with a … Read more.

Christmas at Blithewold 2012: “A Grand Tour of Europe”

Can you believe winter is just around the corner? We can—because it’s that time of year again… Christmas at Blithewold! I know what you’re thinking … so soon? It’s never too soon for Christmas, so … Read more.

Picking up steam

I’d like to take just a moment to fulfill my duty as a New Englander and complain about the weather. For the past week or two it’s been hot. And not only has it been … Read more.