Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Captain George A. Lyon
George Lyon was a captain in World War I. In July 1918, as he waited for orders to Europe, he wrote a touching letter to his wife, Marjorie, “…a farewell note to tell you how … Read more.
Along the Garden Path
Autumn Light, Bird Calls, Unearthing Toads Two perennial late-blooming favorites, Chrysanthemum ‘Hillside Sheffield Pink’ and Aster ageratoides ‘Ezo Murasaki’, are taking the cool weather in stride. Their flowers stand out in the sparse gardens and … Read more.
The Wait
When October turns the corner towards Halloween, I feel The Wait begin. Frost is on the horizon. Some parts of Rhode Island have had frost in the last week. Blithewold is in one of the … Read more.
Along the Garden Path
Gardener’s Optimism, a Cereus Surprise and Metasequoia Flowers What a difference a week makes! After hauling in the greenhouse plants on a warm, humid day, we now have a chill in the air and frost … Read more.
Along the Garden Path
Autumn Sights, Scents and Sounds The walk around the gardens this week has my senses going in all directions. They’re all still blooming with a colorful assortment of flowers, and their mix of colors, seed … Read more.
An end, a beginning
What a strange and fitting ending to the season this week has been. We return from a holiday to heat and humidity, which then turns sharply into a storm (the outskirts of Hurricane Michael) and … Read more.
Along the Garden Path
Magnificent Monarchs, Asters and Salvias The perennial New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) are all in glorious full bloom in the Idea Garden. In addition to their colorful visual effect in the garden, they also add … Read more.
Think Pink (and Purple)
I had a recent small obsession with pink. You may notice it in the Rose Garden – particularly with the dahlias. I chose pale pink, hot pink and a few with lavender tones to balance … Read more.
Along the Garden Path
Garden Rebound The drenching rain and the cooler temperatures are just what the gardens wanted. Some flowering plants are re-blooming and others are just starting. Many of the late season flowers are triggered to bloom … Read more.
Shared History
At the end of August 2018, on a beautiful sunny day, two Pardee cousins got together at Blithewold to reminisce about ninety years of shared history. Marjorie Jeffries is the granddaughter of Bessie Pardee Van … Read more.