Containers, A Valuable Garden detail
In honor of my dear friend, Margo Shaw, founder of Flower magazine and one of the headliners for the 2026 Newport Flower Show, I’m taking a page from her new… Read More
Author: Bettie Bearden Pardee
Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties
The Newport Flower Show will have a Star headliner this month, Margot Shaw, founder of Flower magazine, introducing her new book, Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties. Don’t you love the… Read More
Peony Magic
I’m so excited that the weather has finally turned and my glorious faves, peonies, are starting to show off! Appreciating how much we are all besotted with peonies, I chose… Read More
A Notable Newport Estate, The Orchard Part 2
In a town of many old mansions, most have become house museums or condominiums or have been turned into dormitories and classrooms for a local university. Only a special few,… Read More
A Notable Newport Estate, The Orchard. Part 1
Memorial Day reminds us that summer is just around the corner, when friends return from all parts of the country and houses are “opened for the season.” One of those… Read More
Hansel and Gretel in Richmond
Historic Garden Week in Richmond provided such warm memories of both horticultural and architectural inspiration. One setting lingers in my mind, which I cannot resist calling the “Hansel and Gretel… Read More
Gardens and Houses of Richmond, VA Part 2
My affection and appreciation for Richmond’s architecture began during college, and has lingered since then. Fortunately, I’ve had many occasions to travel down to this exceptional Virginia city. Driving through… Read More
Gardens and Houses of Richmond,VA
Often called America’s largest open house, “Historic Garden Week” in Virginia is a much-anticipated annual event for many garden lovers!For one elegant week, both homes and their gardens throughout the… Read More
A Peek at Oak Springs
If you are as committed a garden aficionado as I am, Oak Spring garden is a mecca on your short list of stops. A few years ago, I had the… Read More
Reminiscing about England
Along with the daffodils and the tulips, the other gift I anticipate the most about spring is my trip to England. But this year, “circumstances” superseded that annual/semi-annual trip…though New… Read More