There was one crab apple tree in our yard when we moved here 20 years ago. We added a garage, then planted a cherry tree and three heirloom apple trees. As the trees grew and the back yard became shady, ferns moved in. We sought out shade-loving plants, no sunny labels for us, and discovered the great variety of Hostas and Heucheras and Astilbes, whose fluorescent stalks sparkle in the garden day and night. My favorite flower is the Spiderwort which seems happy everywhere.

The Lily of the Valley pattern is from Kumiko Sudo's book Fabled Flowers. The other plants – Pulmonaria, Spiderwort, Solomon's Seal, Astilbes, Jack in the Pulpit, Begonia, Coleus and Ferns – are based on photos of my garden.

The apron is made from hand-dyed cottons and batiks.

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