Let’s Meet on the Porch

While walking my dog on a recent Sunday afternoon, I spotted my neighbor knitting on her front porch. I waved and approached, stopping just short of her shade garden. We chatted for a long time — from a safe distance — about working from home, our dogs, baking, knitting and how our families are doing,…

How to Create a Fragrant Garden

In his latest book, Ken Druse candidly admits to a particular botanical bias. “When I come across a beautiful flower,” he writes, “the first thing I do (after checking for a bumblebee) is lean in to sample its smell.” And if there’s no scent? “I find the blossom somewhat lacking.” Mr. Druse is the author…

The ‘Invisible’ Garden of Scent

In his latest book, Ken Druse candidly admits to a particular botanical bias. “When I come across a beautiful flower,” he writes, “the first thing I do (after checking for a bumblebee) is lean in to sample its smell.” And if there’s no scent? “I find the blossom somewhat lacking.” Mr. Druse is the author…

Beatriz Williams at Home in Lyme, Conn.

Beatriz Williams, the best-selling author of historical novels including “The Golden Hour,” “Summer Wives” and “A Certain Age,” had not quite bargained for 11 years in Greenwich, Conn. But her husband, Sydney Williams, had grown up in Greenwich, and when the couple returned to America in 2004 after five years in London, it was a…