notes and musings from a perennial gardener
The Main Buzz
January 22, 2024 — It’s a good day for a stroll in the garden despite the fact that the mercury hasn’t climbed above freezing in nearly a week. But the cold and snow won’t last much longer. Rain and warming temperatures are in the forecast, so I want to make the most of today’s snowy scenes. By the time you read this, the snow will no doubt be gone.
As the year winds down, I like to reflect on how the garden has fared over the year: What did well, what struggled, what I’m most (or least) happy about. While disappointments are instructive, I make a point of focusing on the positives. A garden is supposed to be a source of happiness and relaxation, after all.
Come along as I riffle through the archives for lessons and highlights from every month of the year. If you’d like to know more, each entry is followed by related in-depth articles.
And now for a look back, starting with last January…
Visit any garden center in spring and among the first offerings for sale are flats of China pinks, Cheddar pinks and Sweet Williams, all forms of Dianthus known collectively as “garden pinks.” Ancient posies from Europe and Asia in the carnation family, the fringed blossoms were called gilliflowers in old texts and in Roman times, Jove’s flower.
The carnation connection is obvious: Pinks and Sweet Williams look for all the world like miniature carnations and are beloved for the same reasons: a sweet clove scent, strong essential oils and perky good looks on long stems, perfect for arrangements. (“Pinks” refers to their frilled or ragged petal edges as if cut with pinking shears, not the color.)
A distant cousin, rose campion (Lychnis or Silene coronaria) is another old flower dating from the 1600s. Native to Europe, campion was brought to the New World by the colonists. In fact the first mention of it growing in America is in Thomas Jefferson’s garden book, according to Monticello. It can be found there today in the estate’s restored gardens.
Pinks, sweet williams and campion are all easy flowers to grow as long as they get plenty of sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Here’s what to know.