Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

March Mudness

As basketball fans anticipate March Madness, gardeners anticipate the mud season as a final mental toughness test for the time between late winter and early spring. March’s muddiness can be just another hoop to jump … Read more.

Sweet Surprises

The day before the start of March, February has hit us with another round of snow. It is light, white, and fluffy. As much as I dislike the chill of winter, it’s hard to be … Read more.

Holiday Hothouse

It’s that time of year for many happy celebrations. I love the lights and the general sense of love and joy that is present during the holidays. I also love our greenhouses. They are so … 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.

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.

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.

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.

Inspiration, Perspiration, Reflection

Nostalgia swirls in the September air like leaves on a breeze. Maybe it’s the back-to-school vibes that are forever in my heart or maybe it’s the cooler air and darkening days – whatever the cause, I … Read more.

September Sage

If you have been an avid reader of this blog, you may recall that September is my favorite month in the gardens. The weather still has a hint of summer, but with (slightly) cooler temperatures; … Read more.

Unstoppable Summer Blooms

It’s been yet another hot week here in Rhode Island! I tend to prefer the heat to the cold but this is really testing my limits. Luckily, the flowers don’t seem to mind (although they … Read more.