The Delaware Center for Horticulture (The DCH) is a non-profit community resource organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of gardening, horticulture, and conservation. 
Their work includes creating community gardens, beautifying public landscaping, planting trees, and hosting educational programs and community events.
 
I've been attending their Winter Lecture series

First up, "Design Your Kitchen Garden - The Art of Growing Food" by Ellen Ecker Ogden
We learned new ways to design and plant a kitchen garden for productivity, low maintenance and pleasure.  Pick up a copy of her book, if you want to join the fun.

​Next up, "The Art of Gardening at Chanticleer" by R. William Thomas

Chanticleer has been called the most romantic, imaginative, and exciting public garden in America. We enjoyed an enchanting evening exploring the creative process behind the magic. Want to learn more?  Pick up a copy of Bill's new book. ​

In addition to their community programs, the DCH holds The Rare Plant Auction annually at Longwood Gardens. 

​Save the date and celebrate the 36th Annual Rare Plant Auction® held on Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at Longwood Gardens, with special guests Bunny Williams and celebrated plant expert, Page Dickey.

​The Master Gardener programs provide intensive horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research, and many other projects. They offer some of the best regionally specific advice you can get on home gardening.  
Delaware offers their program through the University of Delaware MasterGardeners
This is an invaluable service to all of us and a great opportunity for those with a desire to expand and share their horticultural knowledge. 

I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Dr. Anne Boyde, Master Gardener, last Saturday  on  "Art in the Garden".  Full of great advice and wonderful examples, it certainly had us all looking at our gardens with new eyes.  

Time to rethink the garden gnomes. 
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We are blessed with countless public and private gardens of note in our vicinity. Paramount among them is Longwood Gardens

Although most of us have had the pleasure of visiting their spectacular holiday displays or been thrilled by their fountains, not all of us know about their extensive educational programs.  They offer programs for all levels of both professional and amateur horticulturists. ​

I've relished my time working my way through their Floral Design Program.
With lectures, demonstrations and time to create with outstanding floral materials, it has been one of my creative highlights.  A serious, tail wagging happy place for me. 
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​Don't miss the March Bank
 
 In 1902 at the age of 22,  H. F. du Pont  began naturalizing daffodils on the bank and by the 1940s had planted thousands of snowdrops, snowflakes, crocus, squills, and glory-of-the-snow. It is in it's glory, so stop by.

Winterthur offers many garden programs, including  Second Saturday Garden Walks

March is Irish-American Heritage Month

With over 34 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry, chances are you have reason to celebrate.  Even if you have no Irish blood flowing through your veins, join in the fun.

Did you know?

•  9 signatories of the Declaration of Independence were Irish.

• 253 Irish-born men have received the Medal of Honor.

•  20+ US presidents claim Irish ancestry - including Barack Obama

• Irish-American Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan was the first woman from the U.S. to walk in space

Tristram Shandy
by Laurence Sterne (1760)
"The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman" humorously chronicles the life of Tristram Shandy. It was made into a movie in 2005 with Steve Coogan, Jeremy Northam and Gillian Anderson
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The Last September
 by Elizabeth Bowen (1929)
A portrait of a young woman's coming of age in a 1920 country house of Anglo-Irish aristocrats as the British rule in Southern Ireland comes to an end.  Also a movie with Maggie Smith, think Downton Abbey gone Irish.
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At Swim-Two-Birds
by Flann O'Brien (1939)
A wildly comic send-up of Irish literature and culture.

Room 
by Emma Donoghue (2010)
The story is told from the perspective of a five year old boy, Jack who is being held captive in a small room along with his mother.  This one too has been made into a movie which has been getting major buzz for Brae Larson who just received the Best Actress award for her portrayal of the mom.

Here are some of my favorites
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Far and Away
1992
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Waking Ned Devine
1998
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The Secret of Roan Inish
1994
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We have these two lovely marine themed pieces in the shop
Perfect for the beach house
4" shell vase -$125
8" shell vase - $65

Here are just some of the lovely Waterford pieces currently in the shop
Large candle pillars in Lismore pattern - $375 the pair
Vase - $145
Pair of highball glasses - $95
Pair of round candlesticks - $95