Would you like to see my rock garden? Flock Finger Lakes filmed it this past June. Summer Rayne Oakes and her crew did an outstanding job. Of course the pups, Pip and Kit, made outstanding appearances. As did Max, the cat. But Summer Rayne, who understands rock gardening and plants, has made a very artisticallyContinue reading “From the Chair 10/26/2025”
Author Archives: Berkshire Chapter NARGS
From the Chair – 9/18/25
Colchicum are out in force now. Although known as Autumn Crocus by the internet, they are not and point out the problem with common names. There is already a very special crocus that does bloom in the autumn: Crocus sativus, the source of saffron. Yes there are others – Crocus pulchellus and Crocus speciosus toContinue reading “From the Chair – 9/18/25”
From the Chair – 8/14/25
The old Hellenistic Dog Days of Summer ran from July 3 – August 11. But don’t try and tell my pups those days are done yet. It is still hot and humid. The constellation Canis Majoris, which contains Sirius, remains visible in the dawn sky. The heliacal rising (when it appears in the sky beforeContinue reading “From the Chair – 8/14/25”
From the Chair – 7/15/25
Lori Chips is among the heroes of the Berkshire Chapter, NARGS. A top propagator for Oliver Nurseries, in Fairfield CT, she has generously donated plants to our sales for over 20 years. What treasures she has put on our sale tables. For one, she has kept alive the legacy of Phlox ‘Ellie B.’ (named afterContinue reading “From the Chair – 7/15/25”
From the Chair 6/23/2025
The end of June is time for the Campanulaceae family to put on its bright display. The purple flowers draw the eye. (Of course there are also alba forms too. ) For me, Edraianthus is a favorite among the family. Many years ago I ordered seed from the NARGS Seedex for E. graminifolius as wellContinue reading “From the Chair 6/23/2025”
From the Chair 5/30/2025
Our June speaker, the legendary Dan Hinkley, changed the face of horticulture in North America. A 2007 Veitch Memorial Medal award cited him “for outstanding contribution to advancing the science and practice of horticulture”. My enchantment crystalized with his book “The Explorer’s Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials” (1999) which recounted his expeditions to China, Korea,Continue reading “From the Chair 5/30/2025”
From the Chair 4/18/2025
Our BNARGS April meeting kicked off the year with style and popularity. Over 60 people came to hear Tony Avent speak on his life as a gardener. And what a fantastic life it was. It felt so reassuring to hear he killed over 50K of plants. (I know, I know – it certainly lessoned myContinue reading “From the Chair 4/18/2025”
From the Chair 3/14/2025
Spring landed three days ago. Pop. Wow, as there was still a foot of snow the week before. Galanthus, hamamelis, and Crocus ‘Tommasinianus’ came out within days of one another. Yesterday I switched to my Fall/ Spring coat when I walk the pups. And today, I did not need cleats to walk the trails. WhenContinue reading “From the Chair 3/14/2025”
From the Chair 2/6/25
It’s a February Snow Day as I write this message. Well… snow, hail, and freezing rain day. I am glad to be inside. We have a very exciting lineup of BNARGS programs for 2025. Our first meeting, April 5th, features the intrepid plantsman from North Carolina: Tony Avent. Not only does he run an amazingContinue reading “From the Chair 2/6/25”
From the Chair 10/26/2024
What a glorious, colorful and long lasting Fall, err Autumn, according to our excellent October speaker Chris Gardner. He noted “Fall” to be an Americanism. Good to know! Acer shirasawanum (pictured above) is a selected form with deeply divided leaves. Our good friend John O’Brien had too many choices at his nursery when we pickedContinue reading “From the Chair 10/26/2024”
Berkshire Chapter NARGS 