Democracy is fine in politics. It should stay there, and we need more of it. But its political virture is no reason to practice it in the garden.

Insects leave (Madagascar periwinkle) Catharanthus roseus out of their diets. So, for that matter, do deer. The reason is that the plants are loaded with alkaloids so potent that they are the source of vincristine and vinblastine. These are drugs important in routines of chemotherapy for treating Hodgkin's disease and certain forms of leukemia.

Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII of France, had such an aversion to roses that she could not stand seeing one even in a painting.

I cannot walk into our garden without constantly being reminded of the friends who have shared their plants.

In addition to all its rich offerings to the body and its five senses, gardening engages the mind.

We quickly discovered that two kittens were much more fun than one.

Democracy is fine in politics. It should stay there, and we need more of it. But its political virture is no reason to practice it in the garden.