Blog grid – Lee Reich

My "tiny folio" book of USDA watercolor illustrations painted between 1887 and 1942

IT’S RED BUT IS IT “DELICIOUS?”

October 8, 2025

Over 150 years ago, a nursery offered a prize for the best-tasting apple. What variety won? Red Delicious, submitted under another name but then deemed to have earned at the name "Delicious." What happened (tastewise)? Read about it -- guess where? -- in my latest blog post:

(MOST) TULIPS ARE (NOT) FOREVER

October 1, 2025

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It’s bulb planting season. Before you reach for bulbs in the tulip bin at your local hardware store or garden center, think about what you want. Colors? Petal shaps? But be aware that most tulips peter out after a few years. Learn what varieties and species tulips you can plant now to return with colorful blossoms each spring year after year. In my latest blog post, of course.

THANK YOU EPHRAIM

September 25, 2025

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The world is divided on their views of Concord, the grape. It’s been around for over 150 years and is noted for distinct “foxy” flavor, also found in other American grapes. In this blog post I delve into grape “foxiness,” the origin and lineage of Concord, and peoples’ view of this variety.

AMERICA’S FIRST BOTANIST

September 17, 2025

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What a garden John has! John -- that's 18th century John Bartram -- was America's first botanist, whose garden is preserved, like an oasis, in the heart of Philadelphia. Come visit and see the Franklinia tree, no longer found anywhere inn the wild, and his other interesting and beautiful introductions. Here are some pix and more about Bartram's Garden:

RED LIKE I’D NEVER BEFORE SEEN

September 10, 2025

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A red flower so bold as to bring me to a halt like a stoplight. And in a likely spot. More about Lobelia cardinalis, appreciating it and growing it, in this post:

MY SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

September 3, 2025

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Each summer I build up my savings accounts, then spend them the follow spring. My seed-savings accounts, that is. Why save garden seeds, what kind to save, and how to save them are just some of what I write about in my latest blog post:

TWO GOOD FLAVORS IN ONE

August 26, 2025

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I once had affection for garlic mustard; no longer. I once had affection for garlic chives; still do. It comes from a good family, it’s tasty, and . . . well, read more about this plant in the blog post:

HOMEGROWN IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST

August 20, 2025

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So you think your homegrown tomatoes are the best tasting. Maybe. Maybe not. That’s because . . . well, read why in my latest blog post:

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary,” illustration from The National Nursery Book, ca. 1870

HOW DID HER GARDEN GROW?

August 12, 2025

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Mary, Mary . . . how did her garden grow? What did she really grow? Was it all a front for something more sinister. An analysis of the plants and the backstories are all in my latest blog post at https://leereich.com/2025/08/how-did-her-garden-grow.html