Grounded in the Garden

The Clematis armandii is throwing a few precocious, almost snowflake-like blooms to welcome December... how is that even possible? When time flies (or never ends) I turn to the garden to ground me. Garden time is independent of holidays and hustle. It just is.

Unless of course you’re planting bulbs—then the conversation shifts to the future, and you’d best get planting. My generous (for me) tulip order finally arrived! Now it’s time to make haste and tuck them in if I want to realize the bloom spectacle I pictured when I placed my order last June (!!!) Last night I dreamt the deed was done, with fencing in place to thwart the squirrels. 

Then I woke up. (IG post December 1, 2021)

(You’ll find all of my daily posts and garden musings here on Instagram.)

In the company of BOOKS!

I’m a reader and a writer and it all began in the garden. I treasure my garden library almost as much as I value my friends and colleagues who create garden books. I love discovering new titles and I will forever be a re-reader, turning again and again to those books that have shaped me over the years, and continue to accompany me into the future. The bay wreath at the top of this page is from the pages of “Plant Craft” by Caitlin Atkinson. As long as the bay tree in the back garden needs pruning—so basically forever—I’ll be crafting these deliciously fragrant wreaths for friends and family.

This list will continue to grow as I share new discoveries, so check back often. In my next life, I hope I’m a librarian. But for now, as the holidays approach and the year winds down, I wish you every good thing, which hopefully includes a quiet place, a warm blanket, and a good book.

In this season of generosity, I’m so glad you’re here,

xo
Lorene

Finally, enormous thanks to everyone who ordered my 2022 Living Color Postcard Calendar. The response was so huge my “limited edition” grew four times!  If you missed out on the print edition, I’ve got a digital version in the store available for immediate download. 

As always, thank you for your support!

Recent writing: Your Annual Gift Guide for Gardeners GROW in The Seattle Times
“Sow comfort and joy this season with these presents with perennial appeal.”

Reading: Calm Christmas, by Beth Kempton
A note from the author: “This book is for life, not just for Christmas.”

Find this book, along with a selection of my favorite authors and titles in my a handmade garden Bookshop