choicest magnolias and how to prune them, plus asking my elders for some advice     

It's Earth Day and we're gaining on it, finally: Peas, lettuce, arugula, spinach and Asian greens are up and running; inside, tomatoes have their seed leaves; kales and broccolis are close to transplant size. The onions just moved on out to open ground. And oh, the hellebores (above): Thank goodness for their encouragement.

choicest magnolias, and how to prune them

So many magnolias, so little space. I sought recommendations from Andrew Bunting, president of the Magnolia Society and Curator of Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore (with about 130 kinds) -- but first, he shared his expertise about their basic care, and especially pruning.

Did you know you can limb some up into "street trees" (meaning the "head" doesn't start till up high) and other less lusty types are best left alone to grow shrubby? Or that two specific kinds of growths should be pruned off whenever they occur, on any variety? Begin here.

how old are you now? labeling each time of life

What do you call the age you're at, whatever it is? In her latest letter in our series, my friend Katrina asked just that, since we aren't "old" by today's standards, but not young, either. 

Ask your elders, I figure. I have been reading 81-year-old British author Penelope Lively lately (and 73-year-old biologist Bernd Heinrich; 93-year-old baseball writer Roger Angell, and even the late Thomas Stearns Eliot and Anthony Burgess), and they all have insights to share.

more timely stuff you might have missed! 

• An intimate look at the magic of feathers. Amazing.
• Garden-design tips, inspired by nature's layered approach.