A Change in Direction

Posted by Colleen Vanderlinden Jun 8, 2007

When I took over the helm here at North American Gardens, it seemed that I would be trying to carry on the direction that fomer Feature Writer Kate Copsey had established, i.e., how to garden in North America. But the fact of the matter is that Suite101 already has several amazing writers who explain that. Robert Dailey knows more about desert gardening than I'll be able to learn in my entire lifetime. Barbara M. Martin can teach you everything you need to know about flower gardening, and Angela England is a master at introducing plants of all kinds to Suite101 visitors. What's really left for me?

This line of thinking brought me (with the help of Home and Garden editor Barbara Bell) to the conclusion that this section needed a new direction, a new focus. From now on, rather than trying to explain "how to garden in North America," this section will focus on "the great gardens of North America." State by state, and province by province, we'll visit the continent's public garden treasures. Consider it a tour of North America's public gardens, right on your computer screen. Non-gardeners can enjoy the beauty of our public gardens, and gardeners are sure to find plenty of inspiration for what is possible in their own back yards.

Next week, look for articles and blogs about the gardens of my own home state of Michigan (it's as good a place to start as any :) ) and every week or so we'll visit the gardens of a different state or province.

I hope you'll come along for the ride, and please feel free to let me know about your favorite public and botanic gardens. I'd love to hear about them!