If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

Loved trees since my childhood. They deserve better care for contributing so much to the environment and climate.

The Game of Apple Cores

When my children were small, we played a simple game whenever we enjoyed apples outdoors. After finishing our apples, we would toss the cores into the woods for the deer. It became a cherished tradition, blending playfulness and care for nature.

Wondering About Seeds

Over the years, I often wondered if any of the seeds from those discarded cores ever sprouted and grew into new apple trees. The curiosity lingered, adding an element of mystery to our family’s routine.

Planting Our Own Apple Tree

Later, we planted an apple tree ourselves. Because our growing season is short, we selected a tree grafted onto hardy rootstock. Unfortunately, the scion—the upper part of the tree—did not survive the first winter. However, the rootstock persisted and eventually produced small apples.

Discovery of Wild Apple Trees

This past spring, my husband discovered two wild apple trees at the edge of the woods. Their appearance sparked questions about their origin.

The Mystery of Their Origin

We wondered whether these wild apple trees grew from the seeds in the apple cores we once tossed, or from one of the tiny apples produced by our rootstock tree. The answer is still elusive.

We may never know for sure.

Pug moth

caterpillar

First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1863

Found in Northeast America

Larvae feeds on cherry, clover, coneflower, and willows

All growing in and around the garden

Identified with PictureThis

Confirmed on:

Wikipedia

iNaturalist

BugGuide.net

Native to eastern North America

Specialist herbivore

Feeds on milkweed and dogbane

Unpalatable to birds and bats                

Parasitoids lay they eggs on or inside the caterpillars

See links below to learn more about these colourful caterpillars

Further Reading:

• Moth Identification
• WhatsThatBug

Anemonastrum canadense

Anemone canadensis

Native to Canada

Indicator plant: Grows in wet soil and where the snowmelt flows, which is an important part of the water cycle.

As I described them in my book on Anemones, I first noticed them growing in a large colony surrounding a few versicolor irises.

They spread by rhizomes but are not aggressive, at least not in my garden.

Neurocolpus nubilus

Herbivore pest

Diet: Generalist

In my garden, first found on my Kogesha ensata irises and today inside a Hymenocallis x festalis ‘Zwanenburg’ flower.

If not eaten by crab spiders or birds, they end up in a bucket of soapy water.

Further reading;

BugGuide

Insect: Neurocolpus Toronto Master Gardeners

Found this lovely regal pelargonium years ago while visiting the Byward market in Ottawa, Ontario labeled simply as a Martha Washington. A real shame. It is too lovely to be unnamed. I am sharing the photo with hope someone will recognize it.

You can send me clues via social media.

North American beetle

Pest

Feeds on foliage and flowers

Have few natural enemies

Adult beetles are toxic to birds

In my garden they get dumped in soapy water

Further Reading

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Wikipedia

Perennial

Native to Eastern North America

Attracts butterflies and other pollinators

In my garden, they grow in part shade

They grew from seeds propagated by birds or animals

They supply nectar and food for wildlife