Last year, I was surprised by the number of ornamental pear trees growing in and around Cleveland. I wondered if there was a reason for this frequent selection. I typed “Cleveland Pear Tree” into my search engine, and found precisely what I was looking for, there is actually a variety of ornamental pear called the…

This week I performed in the CIM opera scenes program. I was in a three part scene from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Patience.” It’s a comedic role with an aria and two duets, and several sections of dialogue. I haven’t done dialogue in years, so it was good to refresh those skills. Mark Wanich was my…

How are your seeds doing? Are you keeping them moist. I know I’ve lost a few due to drying out. I thought I would try growing seeds in an egg carton this year. Um. Bad Idea. My little English Daisies popped right up, but quickly died, do to the fact that the carton sucked all…

Last weekend, I had an adjudication in Oxford, Oh. Tom, being the thoughtful husband he is, decided to make the trek with me. He’s always good for making things more enjoyable. We slept at Cassie and Doug’s on the way there and the way back. (Thank you sooo much!) Allowing us to play a couple…

I was walking past the Cleveland Botanical Gardens the other day when I noticed they had already created cages for their peonies. I was quick to follow suit. (Can I just say I love taking hints from the professional landscapers. It’s a great trick, pay attention to when your neighbor’s landscaping service starts cleaning out…

The leaf in the foreground reveals the petite size of this emerging pea. I love pea seedlings because they are so unique. They have this gentle eloquence. Maybe it’s the little curled tendril or perhaps the feminine curve of the leaves. Peas are one of the earliest garden crops one can plant, alongside spinach and…

I love Gales it’s one of my favorite Nurseries in the area. They are offering $20 worth of Plants for only $9.00 right now on Groupon.com. Check it out and get your plants half price this spring!

I am yet to have any children of my own, but I have often been joined by my younger siblings or nieces and nephews in the garden. My sweet five-year-old next door neighbor planted peas with me a few weeks back. Last week, my four year old friend Annie and I went for a walk.…

One of my favorite spring activities is watching life erupt out of buds and seeds. I’m fascinated by how differently each plant emerges. Check out this unanimous plant awakening at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

My yard is one of those places where I look and see the “future garden.” Complete with mature perennials, year-round interest and dazzling botanical diversity. Too often I am occasioned to see my yard as, well, you all see it. The young, sparse, needy yard that it is. Regardless, I can still dream. So these…