Cassandra Danz (Mrs. Greenthumbs)
I want to send kudos out to an incredibly talented woman who was before her time both horticulturally and well…culturally.
Many years ago, when my gardening addiction spilled into a gardening book addiction, I discovered a garden writer that has been with me since the moment I read her first chapter.
Cassandra Danz, AKA: Mrs. Greenthumbs has been one of the most significant gardening influences of my life.
Cassandra wasn’t the end-all authority on horticulture, nor was she a historical gardening figure to be heralded through the ages. She didn’t have to be.
In a world where the horticulturists and the garden-elite reigned with a pretentious sniff over the simple backyard gardening folk and the newbies; there Cassandra sat in her polyester dress, pitchfork in hand, showing us just how simple gardening really is.
Mrs. Greenthumbs was the voice of a seasoned gardening neighbor – the one who knew all the tricks; the one who would share them with you because she loved seeing gardeners succeed without the imperial attitude that left you feeling like you were missing out on some secret hand-shake.
Occasionally opinionated, and always funny, Cassandra Danz showed us that any one bearing soil and a plant could make their yard beautiful and have a hell of a time doing it. Her teaching style was coated with an edgy-humor that made me feel good just holding her books.
In 1997, Cassandra received the Golden Leaf Award from the Planting Fields Arboretum for her contribution to the advancement of horticulture. She hosted her own gardening radio show and was a favorite regular on TV programs such as Regis and Kathy Lee.
Check out one of her unique views on pollination, from a chapter titled, "A Petunia Named Desire":
”Most people tend to assume that the bees have no knowledge of the plant's use of them and are only after the nectar. In other words, they are a bunch of unwitting stooges, slavishly servicing the carnal appetites of the flowers and getting no fun out of the experience at all. I don't think so.
I have observed bees going from flower to flower in the garden, and they seem to be enjoying themselves enormously. I wouldn't presume to know the thoughts and feelings of bees, but if I saw a bunch of teenagers sipping nectar, rolling around with their feet up in the air, covered with fragrant pollen, and then racing off to do it again and again, I would assume they are having a wonderful time and would probably call the police.”
In 2002, the mistress of gardening and gifted comedian passed away at the young age of 55.
She has been missed by this gardener.
Mrs. Greenthumb’s books can still be purchased at Amazon.com – Mrs. Greenthumbs: How I Turned a Boring Yard into a Glorious Garden and How You Can, Too and Mrs. Greenthumbs Plows Ahead: Five Steps to the Drop-Dead Gorgeous Garden of Your Dreams.
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Comments
A lovely post in honor of a lovely woman. Thanks for the reminder about the great Mrs. Greenthumbs, Chris!
Cheers- Bethe
I remember such a gardening woman on the Today Show when I was very little. She was much like Mrs. Greenthumbs, making gardening seem not that difficult and a whole lot of fun. We need more gardeners like these two. Great tribute!
Dear Ms. McLaughlin,
Thank you for so eloquently remembering Mrs. Greenthumbs. Cassandra was a dear friend of mine and she is missed by this gardener, too. I see her in my garden through the seeds and bits of plants she'd given me over the years. I remember in particular one incident when Cassandra was coming over to see the garden. It was an exquisitely fine summer day, everything was in bloom, the birds were chirping... it was perfection. Just as we began our stroll, the discordant sound of a neighbor's lawnmower filled the air. Without missing a beat, Cassandra clasped her hands to her bosom, and exclaimed "Ahh, the sound of America gardening!"
She was truly one of a kind.
best,
Peter Bevacqua
Dear Ms. McLaughlin,
Cassandra was a friend and a true original if there ever was one. Let me relate to you the last time I saw her. I was on a train from New York City to Rochester to visit the family of a dear friend. Cassandra was on the same train on the way to her Hudson, New York home, and we rode together. I told her my destination and mentioned that my friend's 90 year old grandmother, Clarissa, was an avid fan of hers, loved her books and never missed her on Regis & Kathy Lee. As the train pulled into Hudson, and Cassandra got up to leave, she whipped out her lipstick, laid on an extra thick coat and planted one right on my cheek. "Make sure that gets to Clarissa!" she said and disappeared down the aisle. The lip print remained on my cheek for the next five hours and I delivered it as promised to her biggest fan in Rochester. Unforgettable!
I miss her also. I began garening two years ago and read her book "Mrs. Greenthumbs" which made me realize that I CAN have a nice garden. I thought I would write her a letter of appreciation but discovered she had already passed on. I was sadened but grateful for her book.
I learned so much from reading her two books cover to cover- When we bought our first house- the yard was spare and I felt overwhelmed with what to do- I am mostly proud of my garden now- except when it is super hot like it has been the passed few days and everything looks a bit wilted- because of reading those books I have made new additions to the garden and I often think of how her influence is there- Hoping she stays in the fore of gardening books- though she is gone
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