Graham Blandy Boxwood Strikes a Pose...

This odd winter, more warm than cold, feels different to me and full of change. At times like this, I turn away from my thoughts and take comfort looking at my garden, specifically at my favorite trees and shrubs. ‘Graham Blandy’ boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’) is one of those prized plants. I have three of them in front of my house in a more-the-merrier little group. They are dark green, columnar boxwoods with shiny leaves. In warm sunny climates they can grow up to 9 feet high and 1.5 feet wide, but in their semi-shaded location on...

Chief Joseph makes light of winter...

Want a plant that stands out in the winter landscape? ‘Chief Joseph’ lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’) does that with its stunning winter color. Typically described as squash yellow, ‘Chief Joseph” is pure gold–more specifically yellow with a slight orange tint and an ochre-ish undertone. In summer, the plant is green with not a hint of its dramatic winter look. The photo above shows a plant about 2 feet tall in my garden after a light snowfall. I feel happy on my garden walks when I visit this little lodgepole pine...