Category Archives: Despatches from the Hollow

Spring in the hollow means the ides of March and birthdays for its mistress, Milo, and the east meadow beech. Milo turns 14, I turn 66, and the beech, planted for my fiftieth, turns 16. We are all thriving. Spring … Continue reading →

The new year swept into the hollow with the great blizzard of ’16 which proceeded to dump 2 feet and more here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge but has proven to be a benevolent storm, with no power … Continue reading →

The new moon is waxing, accumulating size like a burning candle, as we prepare to leave the hollow for the coast. I watched it rise yesterday evening and will watch again tonight its almost tropical aspect above the tulip poplars … Continue reading →

High Summer First walnut leaves falling Yellow against a wall of green. Cicadas start their thrumming Calling autumn in again. High summer is upon us. The cicadas have started to sing. Lightening bugs still rise from the meadows. Tomatoes are … Continue reading →

 Lilium regale Steamy summer lilies perfume the humid air, Trumpets stuffed with sticky pistils and golden stamen dust, Myriad pollinators’ fare. Humid, hot, musky weather has heightened the fragrance of late, late, late spring. Summer solstice is June 21st, but … Continue reading →

It’s a good peony season here in the hollow, beginning with the old ‘Pink Charm’ John brought from the University, first given him by Mrs. Hereford for the Carr’s Hill garden back in the 70’s. It’s a single form with … Continue reading →

Who are the violets now That strew the green lap of the new-come spring? Shakespeare, Richard II Purple and blue stain the landscape. Virginia bluebells and violets thrive in the moist places this cool season along with fern and bleeding … Continue reading →

The sound of dripping is the sound of spring. Windy days have kept the thaw from being too muddy and everything is ready to burst into life with abundant moisture and warming temperatures. We await the equinox on the 20th … Continue reading →

February has given us winter after all. Woke up this morning to 10 inches in the hollow. We are fortunate to have forsythia brighten inside as we gaze out upon the snow. Cut about a month ago, its old wood … Continue reading →

Apricot leaves and buds of the great beech (Fagus grandifolia) that dominates the west garden give delicious color to our frozen landscape this first week of the new year. Well within Zone 7 minimum of 0F to 10F, we’ve been … Continue reading →