In my last post, we took a wide-angle look at the Celia Thaxter garden in Prescott Park. This time, I thought we'd slow down and wander through the flower beds together. After all, it's the individual flowers, colors, and little surprises that give the garden its personality.
First up, we have a bed of dwarf sunflowers
While we were spending the day in Portsmouth recently, one stop was the recreated garden of Celia Thaxter in Prescott Park. I'd read her wonderful book, An Island Garden, so seeing the garden in person felt a bit like stepping into the pages.
If Celia Thaxter's garden captured your imagination as much as it did mine, here are a few wonderful places to continue exploring.
When I saw this little bunny on a recent excursion to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to visit the gardens in Prescott Park, I thought of you and your love of rabbits. Do you think your Louie and Pepper would like to play with this tiny fellow? Reminds me of Peter Rabbit after he’s lost his jacket and shoes! But there is no Mr. McGregor here. You are safe from angry farmers, wee one!
I’ll also update you soon on my own garden, as well as my parents’ cottage garden, which I’ve featured in the past on "Sprouts."
Cheers!
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
As I was putting together this post about Longwood Gardens, I found myself reflecting on how much my gardening life has changed over the years for me. Getting older and dealing with a progressive disorder that effects my mobility, and energy level has definitely changed the way I will garden going forward. There are some things I simply can't do anymore, such as spending hours digging, hauling heavy bags of soil, or maintaining large garden beds. I miss some of those activities, but I'm learning how to adapt.
One thing I love about living in Maryland is the abundance of beautiful public gardens. Visiting places like Longwood Gardens allows me to continue learning, finding inspiration, and sharing gardening experiences with our readers, even when my own physical gardening is more limited than it once was.
I'm also still learning how to garden in Maryland. The climate is quite different from Maine, and every season brings new lessons. My gardening space has changed dramatically as well. Instead of large garden, space, I now have a small patio container garden.
Much of what I grow as far as produce will be for rabbits, including herbs and greens, along with a few vegetables and flowers for myself.
Like many people these days, I find myself paying closer attention to costs. Gardening on a budget has become important, and I'm always looking for creative ways to grow more while spending less.
How are things going with you? I know you're helping in your parents' garden this season. You mentioned cleaning up the pond area. I can't wait to see the post. I always enjoy hearing what's happening in your corner of Coastal Maine. I have enclosed a few photos from my patio garden, but its not really blog ready yet.
Michele
The Orchid Room at Longwood Gardens is filled with stunning blooms in every color imaginable. There were delicate white orchids, vibrant pink varieties, rich purple flowers, and unusual orchids with fascinating shapes and patterns. Everywhere I looked, there was something new to admire. It was definitely a popular exhibit with a line of people waiting for more space that they could get in to view the spectacular blooms.
What always amazes me about orchids is how different they are from most flowering plants. Some flowers looked almost like butterflies, while others resembled tiny works of art. It is easy to see why orchids are among the most popular houseplants in the world. They were my Mothers and Grandmothers favorite plant.
If you are like me you have wondered are they easy to grow? For home gardeners, orchids can sometimes seem intimidating, but many varieties are easier to grow than people realize. Most orchids prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered only when their growing medium begins to dry. Good air circulation is also important. With a little patience, they can reward gardeners with spectacular blooms year after year.
As I walked through the Orchid House, I found myself stopping often to take photos and appreciate the incredible diversity of these plants. Each orchid seemed to have its own unique personality and charm. Longwood Gardens never disappoints, and the Orchid House was no exception. Whether you are an experienced gardener or simply enjoy beautiful flowers, this display is well worth seeing. It was a wonderful reminder of the beauty and variety that the plant world has to offer.
In future posts I will share another favorite areas from my visit that served as garden inspiration I brought home with me. My next post is on container gardening ideas.
Last Friday I visited the famous Longwood Gardens with family. We spent a delightful couple of hours exploring one of the most beautiful public gardens I have ever seen. Located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens is famous for its spectacular gardens, fountains, conservatories, and seasonal displays.
Seeing the magnificent water lilies at Longwood Gardens reminded me that some of the most beautiful plants in the gardening world are surprisingly accessible to home gardeners. Whether grown in a grand botanical garden or a simple backyard water feature, water lilies bring a sense of beauty, elegance, and tranquility wherever they are planted.
There’s something magical about stepping into a tearoom on a sunny afternoon. The promise of delicate china, fragrant tea, warm scones, and good conversation makes afternoon tea one of my favorite rituals. So when our group of nine women decided to book a High Tea at Bella’s Tea House in Havre de Grace, Maryland, I was excited. The photos looked beautiful on the internet and the setting a traditional Tea charm, that I couldn’t wait to experience with my group of family and friends.
But as the afternoon unfolded, what began with a lovely first impression turned into a more complicated experience — one with plenty of potential but some disappointing details.
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Walking into Bella’s Tea House feels like stepping into a storybook. The mismatched china, cozy decor, and vintage touches create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Each table has its own personality, and there’s a playful sense of tradition meets whimsy.
However, once we sat down, that whimsical charm was overshadowed by something less delightful — slightly dirty dishes. Just a couple tea cups and plates at our table had a few speaks of what looked like soot from a candle. Not a huge detail , but nevertheless it gave the impression that the china had been sitting too long.
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📅 Booking the High Tea: A Bit Confusing
Because we were a larger group, Bella’s required us to book their High Tea service, which typically includes a soup or starter, a selection of sandwiches, fresh scones, and a tiered dessert tray, all served with tea. They also offer private rooms for groups of ten or more. Make sure to look at the reservation policies especially for groups and make sure you understand deposits, and charges. They also like payment at the end made by one person at the end.
Bella’s interior is undeniably cute and cozy, but it borders on too a little too much decor. The abundance of decor makes the space feel cluttered rather than calm, and I found it slightly overwhelming rather than relaxing. It’s a style some guests might love, but I wished for a cleaner, more tranquil setting to match the elegance of afternoon tea.
I should share a little context, because my love for tea — and my expectations — come from many years of both personal and professional experience.
I grew up in London, England, where tea is part of daily life, and I’ve been drinking and serving tea for as long as I can remember. When I owned my spa business years ago, I offered a complimentary tea service and lunch in partnership with a tearoom next door called The Escape, where we paired treatments with afternoon tea. Our Spa and tea experience was even featured in The Plain Dealer Magazine at the time.
I also collaborated with a charming bed and breakfast called The Emerald Necklace, where I offered facial services during their tea parties when my business was first starting out. Those experiences deepened my belief that tea isn’t just a drink — it’s part of a ritual of care, connection, and relaxation.
My afternoon at Bella’s Tea House was a mix of lovely ideas and disappointing execution. The space is charming and full of character, but the details — from cleanliness and communication to the freshness of the food and quality of the tea — need more care.
With more attention to these details, Bella’s has the potential to become a truly special destination for tea lovers in Havre de Grace. As it stands now, it’s a charming spot with a lot of potential that just didn’t quite deliver the magical tea experience I was hoping for.
A sweet and whimsical tearoom with heart and potential, but the experience fell short in key areas.
and quality of the tea — need more care.
With more attention to these details, Bella’s has the potential to become a truly special destination for tea lovers in Havre de Grace. As it stands now, it’s a charming spot with a lot of potential that just didn’t quite deliver the magical tea experience I was hoping for.
A sweet and whimsical tearoom with heart and potential, but the experience fell short in key areas.
Charming, storybook atmosphere
Generous dessert platter
Great spot for group gatherings
Offers private rooms for larger parties
Dirty china and lack of attention to detail
Charged for extra guest despite lower headcount
Rock-hard scones and average sandwiches
Tea quality inconsistent, with no presentation or explanation
No retail tea available
I’ve never been able to throw away a healthy sprig of anything. If it has a bit of stem and even the slightest potential to root, into the water or soil it goes. Over the years, this habit has turned into a quiet little obsession—and one that has saved me a good bit of money. Propagating cuttings is one of my favorite ways to grow the garden without buying more plants. It feels a little like magic every time.
Roses take a bit more convincing. I dip the cuttings in rooting compound first, then press them into moist soil and tuck them in someplace shady. It helps to trim away most of the leaves and leave just a few at the top. I’ve had the best luck when the weather is warm but not scorching, and when I remember to keep the soil evenly damp. Some years, they surprise me with strong new growth; other years, I try again. That’s part of the fun.
Geraniums are another favorite. They root in water too, though I’ve found I get the best results in early spring, just when the plants are waking up. If a stem gets leggy or breaks off, I trim it and stick it in a pot of soil, give it a little light, and wait. Most of the time, it rewards me with a whole new plant.
Petunias are less fussy than people think. If a sprig breaks off while I’m deadheading or tidying up, I pop it in a jar of water. In a week or two, I’ve got roots and the beginning of a brand-new petunia. I’ve even done this mid-season, then tucked the rooted cutting into a pot to keep things blooming longer.
And then there’s pussy willow. These will root in water without a second thought. It’s no wonder people use willow branches as natural rooting stimulants—some even soak willow in water to create a homemade rooting compound for other cuttings. I haven’t tried that yet, but it’s on my list. Many house plants root well in water too.
There’s something deeply satisfying about growing new plants from ones you already have. It feels generous, in a way. Like the garden is offering up more than you asked for. A little jar on the windowsill becomes a nursery, a broken stem becomes a second chance, and before you know it, your single plant has multiplied.
Maryland in August feels like living in a greenhouse! This first summer on the East Coast has been a lesson in hot, humid days and thirsty plants. Coming from Portland’s mild summers, I never expected to water my pots and fabric grow bags two or even three times a day, but container soil dries out faster in a heatwave. Here’s what’s happening in my little front‑door oasis this month and how I’m coping with the challenges.
🍃 Growth Note: These plants are budding and growing quickly thanks to the humidity. But I think with that being said there are more pests than I have been used to. Especially spider mites. This week I noticed lots of tiny holes in some leaves. I looked it up and spider mites thrive in hot, conditions. I avoid insecticides ( I read that they don’t work on mites and can kill beneficial insects) and instead hose down the tops and bottoms of the leaves every few days. A strong jet of water raises humidity and knocks mites and their eggs off the plant.
A trio of tomatoes gives me a variety for salads and sauces. But the harvest has been little light. I really think it is the mites. The tomato plants seem to be affected the most. The tomatoes are flowering and starting to set fruit, but the fruits are hiding under a dense canopy of leaves. Warm temperatures plus high humidity mean everything grows fast, so it’s no wonder the foliage is so lush. BBC Gardeners’ World advises thinning out bush tomatoes when fruits are hidden so that sunlight can reach and ripen them. I am going to aggressively prune some leaves next time I garden.
One bush cucumber, a variety that suits container growing is perfect for my small space. I still have the vines tailing the fencing but I did not want a too aggressive vine so I used a bush variety. The vine has exploded with growth—Maryland’s humidity has it racing up the railing! Because fruit and flowers are hidden among the leaves, I need to improve airflow and make harvesting easier. The cucumber leaves also show some stippling and webbing, another sign of spider mites.
This little front‑door garden has been a joy despite the August heat. I never expected to water so often or battle spider mites, but the reward of stepping out to harvest basil, peppers and sun‑ripened tomatoes makes it all worthwhile. I’m learning to love gardening in Maryland. Like any other change, it takes time and patience to adjust to the new way of doing things. Have you ever made a big change in location and had to start over? How difficult did you find it? How long did it take for you to adjust? We would love to hear about your experiences or tips in the comments.
If you’ve never tried pressing flowers, start with something simple, such as pansies, violas, or fern fronds. Collect them when they’re dry and freshly opened, and press them right away. Months from now, when the skies are gray and the beds are bare, you’ll open a book and find a garden tucked inside.
I was out in the garden the other morning, checking on the grapevines like I usually do this time of year, when I noticed something strange. The leaves didn’t look quite right. When I turned one over, I found them: tiny white bugs, flitting around.
They seemed to be on my younger grapevines. I have a 15-year-old grapevine that produces grapes each fall near my arbor. But I also have several young grapevine volunteers that have seeded in from the old vine. The bugs were only on the young vines. As of yet, these vines produce no grapes.
At first, I thought they might be aphids. But these were different. They were smaller, more active, and had wings. Some of them jumped when I tried to get a closer look. I’ve seen enough garden pests over the years to know these weren’t aphids.
After a little research and a closer inspection with my magnifying glass, I narrowed it down to either grape leafhoppers or whiteflies—two pests that seem to love grapevines. Both are tiny and white, both hang out on the undersides of the leaves, and both feed by sucking the sap from the plant.
I’m encouraging the good bugs with my wild and natural garden. The more beneficial insects I can attract, the better the balance. I’ve also made a mental note to do a thorough cleanup in the fall and remove any fallen leaves so nothing overwinters near the vines.
I may also transplant my small grapevines to a better location, but I need to research how best to accomplish that. These little vines chose their spots all by themselves! As a result, they aren't in the most well-ventilated part of the garden.
These little white bugs may be small, but they’re persistent. Fortunately, they aren't bothering other plants. With a bit of vigilance, I think I’ll be able to keep them under control.
If you know what these pests are, leave a note in the comments.
Some of my Favorite Items this week:
A small bouquet of summer flowers for $5
In my last post, we took a wide-angle look at the Celia Thaxter garden in Prescott Park. This time, I thought we'd slow down and wander...
