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The Caterpillar Effect

While birds are beginning to stake claim on territories and mates and hellebores and witchhazels are blooming defiantly against the cold, there are other, unseen activities taking place. Nestled under leaf litter and detritus, a world of Lepidopteran larvae awaits the arrival of rising temperatures before emerging to take over our gardens and woodlands. Inspired by the beautifully produced documentary, The Extraordinary Caterpillar, and given the burgeoning seasonal change lingering just around the corner, it seems like a good time to revere the crawly critters of the coming months.

By Kate Irvine Read More

In the Mi(d)st of Muhly Grass

Often, our grasses are left as the finale for our production team, meant to offer late season winter interest to containers, installations, and indoor events. Crowned by seedheads of all types, the dormant-yet-visually appealing grasses serve as a visual resting place during a time when there's not much else to look at. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. While many of our grasses have finally met their fate at the steady hands of our production team, deftly being trimmed for a luxurious flush of new growth, one species remains a spectacle: Muhlenbergia capillaris, the hardworking but humble Muhly grass.

By Kate Irvine Read More

Enchanting the Eastern Bluebird

Besides the residual and persistent layer of crusty snow (which, as this is being written, still stands, although the pending rains may change that by the time you read this), there is a sense of rejuvenation on the horizon. You can feel it - spring is right around the corner. Daylight hours are stretching minute by minute each day, busy birds have been gathering seed and material to ensure they're well prepared for their coming broods, and the buds of magnolias and rhododendrons are slowly starting to fatten with life.

By Kate Irvine Read More

Bulletproof Broomsedge

Along our journey around the tri-state area, we noted some plants that gained quite a bit of traction for their winter appearance and badassery. Of this group, Andropogon virginicus seemed to be the cream-of-the-crop: tough, no-nonsense, and charmingly topped with fluffy seeds that give this native grass an ornamental edge, Andropogon virginicus is a quintessential hellscape plant that begins our exploration into what we are affectionately calling Apocalypse Plants.

By Kate Irvine Read More