LAST FALL, a month apart, the earth lost two of it great plantswomen. They were from opposite coasts, and one—Californian Ruth Bancroft, at 109 years old—was twice the age of the other, New Englander Elizabeth Farnsworth, 54. Both were individuals of great focus and optimism and energy whom I enormously admired, and will not forget.
ruth bancroft
I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING like it before (nor have I since). Though situated in an arid zone, the Walnut Creek, California, garden of Ruth Bancroft was populated with what looked to me like undersea creatures—like coral reefs, and giant octopus. Island beds were planted with waves of cacti and succulents and other plants of the world’s dry places, plants I didn’t know were even possibilities for the palette of a home garden. It was maybe 1992 when I traveled there with Ken Druse to meet Ruth, just around the time the garden first allowed visitors.
Be bold, Ruth’s garden said, and go deep—deep into whatever group of plants fascinate you, no matter whether there is a roadmap for using them as you imagine they can be used. Study them, and collect them, and try to figure out how to connect them visually and make them happy. And don’t forget to weed—which apparently she was fastidious about (as the tribute video up top reveals). Though one of the nation’s best-known gardeners, she never forgot the basics.
I encourage you to visit the garden—if not in person, at least in pictures. Photo from the Ruth Bancroft Garden website, above, by Marian Brenner. More photos at this link.
Ruth Bancroft died November 26, 2017; read her obituary from the SFGate website of the “San Francisco Chronicle.”
elizabeth farnsworth
RARELY A DAY GOES BY when I am not consciously grateful to Elizabeth Farnsworth, who
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Interior designer Stephanie Hunt’s seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom Park City, Utah, home is a grown-up, glammed-up, sophisticated version of a funhouse—it’s got so many surprises and delights at every turn. And believe it or not, she got the inspiration for the home on a freezing winter trip to Reykjavík, Iceland. “We were there for a quick weekend trip and I was struck by how the simple barn structures—very close together—looked like one unit. Because we’re art collectors I wondered what it would feel like to have each pod or pavilion, if you will, developed in a simple, honest architectural style, connected by halls and glass elements, with the halls serving sort of in-home art galleries,” she explains.
This archipelago of some 140 islands basks in the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic. The islands’ powdery, white, sandy beaches and warm microclimate, give them a sense of being much further from the rest of Great Britain than they really are.
Ornamental Japanese Maples are widely available for planting in your garden. The autumn colouring makes these trees spectacular when planted en mass in a woodland or Japanese garden setting.
Oak trees conjure up images of Robin Hood and mystical Oak forests. Britain has made good use of Oak trees down the centuries. ‘From little acorns great Oak trees grow’
Hay fever and Asthma attacks can be brought on by Scented Plants as well as pollen or Fungal Spores. Histamin problems can also be exacerbated by scent and smells in the garden.
For something a bit different this book on botanic art covers some of the unusual colours from black flowers, plants and seaweed like strange green, blue and puce pink.
One thing is sure the climate in your garden will change. You already know one week will be different to the next and I can’t remember when two months or any years were the identical to others. In many areas you can get 3 or 4 seasons in one day (or in Scotland one hour!).
Snowdrops are officially called Galanthus. This snowdrop is Galanthus elwessii with larger than normal blooms and a honey scent the other main species are Nivalis and Plicatus. The snowdrop is very hardy, grows in most soils and prefers partial shade.
When it comes totrailing houseplants, people always go for the most usual ones like pothos and philodendrons, not realizing that they are missing out on some species that are not really popular. Here’s one such list of 8 Cool Indoor Vines People Usually Don’t Grow, but you can try if you’re looking for alternatives.
Looking for a new recipe to help use up your leftover Easter ham? Move over egg salad sandwiches and ham casseroles, and let me introduce you to ham balls! If you have never heard of ham balls you are in for a treat! Ham balls are a Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy. As a native Pennsylvanian, I grew up eating these ham/pork based “meatballs” and remember requesting them (along with scalloped potatoes and baked pineapple) for many birthday dinners. They are easy to make, a great way to use leftover ham, and they freeze well (before or after baking) for a quick-to-serve meal.