Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Free Form

2019 is now upon us. Winter is here and looking forward, one can expect plenty of snow, ice, and bone-rattling wind chill over the next few months. Even so, getting outside every now and again … Read more.

Winter Rest(oration)

I have often heard my friends say that it’s too bad trees are dead in the winter time. The gardens can give off a similarly lifeless appearance as the plants lie low during this darker … Read more.

Pine Alley

Crisp December air coming down from the endless clear sky surrounds me as I step out of the Bosquet and onto the shrub walk. The wind grows stronger as I approach the blazing blue water. … Read more.

Flowers, Berries, Seeds, oh my!

Sometimes I let November get me down. It’s cold. It’s dark. The wind makes my ears hurt. All the glorious colors of the growing season have gone by–or have they? All it takes is a walk … Read more.

Hold Onto Your Leaves

October’s glorious foliage gives way to November’s leaf drop. All the beautiful leaves are now dancing around our feet as we walk the paths. Crunching leaves is such a satisfying sensation. However, if you are … Read more.

Exuberant April!

Daffodils are here and they were worth the (long!) wait. The grand view through the Bosquet is really stunning right now. In this big beautiful sea of daffodils there are numerous varieties. Over the past … Read more.

It’s finally spring

Could it be?  Is spring finally here at long last?  Yes!  In the past week I have seen honey bees gathering food from spring flowers – I have seen spring flowers! Iris, primrose, daffodils, snowdrops, … Read more.

For the love of trees

Life as a horticulturist has changed my perspective on winter.  There was a time when I felt that winter was terrible and interminable.  Not anymore.  Winter is an important time for those who tend gardens.  … Read more.

A feast of flowers and foliage

After what feels like the most extended summer season I’ve seen in years, autumn is here in full rainy force.  To cheer us all up during this time I thought I’d take a moment to … Read more.

Blithewold’s Best

This week I have the privilege to introduce to you Sean Coffey, one of our Horticulture Interns.  It has been a pleasure working with him and we always enjoy hearing his perspective on the gardens … Read more.