Author Archives: Michael

Tulipa sylvestris – the woodland tulip

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Michael

The woodland tulip is the common name of one of the most widely distributed wild species, however, its true origins are far from clear and in the form we know it today, it is associated with human cultivation. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Tulips | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Native Plant Gardens in The Netherlands known as Heemparken

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Michael

With the opening of the new Native Plant Garden at the New York Botanical Gardens earlier this month I was inspired to pay a return visit to the heempark in Amstelveen which is recognised as one of Europe’s best. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden moods | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Spring Snow in Amsterdam

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Michael

  In 2005 Amsterdam was named as The Elm City of Europe as it has more than 75,000 elm trees, many some 80 to 100 years old, growing along the sides of its canals and throughout the city’s parks. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Art in the garden | Tagged , | Comments Off

Gardening starts late in Europe

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Michael

I am not the only one to be complaining about the late start to the gardening spring in Western Europe this year. Our winter was very long and cold and the garden has seemed to be stuck, awaiting a cue … Continue reading →

Posted in Tulips | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Contemporary Perennial Planting – concepts and practice

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Michael

The popularity of perennials in contemporary planting schemes is increasingly linked to the movement towards a more naturalistic style of garden making. The highly structured flower borders of twentieth century European gardens have steadily given way to a looser, more … Continue reading →

Posted in Meadows 101 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off