Gardening By Osmosis

Rain drops were still glistening on the lilacs when I tried to capture the moment after the rain when the sun dappled the landscape. My photos, however did not reveal the splendor I had witnessed and I was resigned to register the phenomenon in my brain.

This spring’s frequent rainstorms have encouraged more lush growth than usual and I am amazed by the recovery of many plants.

White cedar though, referred to as arborvitae, have not fared well. Years of drought conditions and last winter’s ruthless periods of abnormal temperatures have contributed to many varieties exhibiting brown or reddish-...