When was the last time it was this warm in mid- April? Short sleeve weather this early…it’s too warm for me! But it is not uncommon for bloodroot to appear earlier than this. They are actually a little late. So is the opening of the kabschia type saxifraga-usually a little earlier. As previously mentioned onContinue reading “From the Chair 04/15/2026”
Author Archives: Berkshire Chapter NARGS
From the Chair 02/17/2026
There is always a whiff of excitement this time of the year. Just listen to the enthusiastic trills of the spring birds. There are many days above freezing now. The snow is fading from the landscape. It’s the start of mud season here! Too, it’s time to make final plans for gardening this coming spring.Continue reading “From the Chair 02/17/2026”
From the Chair 10/26/2025
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”
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”
Berkshire Chapter NARGS 