What we're waiting for

At this time of year, it's so hard to wait for spring! We're trying to nurse it along in sunny windows and in seed catalogue dreams. Here are some favorites:

Two Gardeners Katharine S. White and Elizabeth Lawrence--A Friendship in Letters,
by Emily Herring Wilson (Editor)

This book is a wonderful compilation of the correspondence between Katherine White, E.B. White's wife and a wonderful writer in her own right, and Elizabeth Lawrence, one of my favorite garden writers. Both have written several wonderful books.

The Little Bulbs: A Tale of Two Gardens,
by Elizabeth Lawrence

This book is a gem. Its springtime attitude is infectious, its garden advice is thorough and beautifully researched, its bulb listings are intriguing! The first time I read it, I googled nearly every bulb variety mentioned for images. Since the book does not have pictures, that's a good way to satisfy your curiousity.







The crocus lawn at Dorothy's is one of its prettiest spots in the spring. We haven't found any other gardens in Quincy or Boston that have a similar lawn, though there is beautiful scilla sown into the lawn at the Adams Mansion across the way on Newport Avenue in Quincy.

We found the crocus lawn as a surprise the first year we started gardening at Dorothy's and were so delighted! They seem to be continuing to proliferate!

It's very easy to sow your own crocus lawn. Take crocus bulbs and throw them around your lawn in small handfuls (so you can remember where they fall) and, after you toss, plant them right where they fall.

We've enjoyed John Scheepers's catalogue and website and dream of someday ordering from their bulk catalogue!

"Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps"

~Amos Bronson Alcott

Rebecca in the roses!

Of course, this was last June. However, in Boston, if this weather keeps up, Spring will be very curiously timed this year! We've had temperatures in the mid fifties and sixties for the past few weeks. The primroses are blooming still, the red bud trees are blossoming, and the grass is pretty green for January.

We'd love to hear your bloom times! Please send us a word in the comments section.

Dorothy's House

Dorothy Quincy, who later married John Hancock, was born in this house.