Thanks for today.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud

2013-04-24T21:13:00.000-04:00

I had seen the colors often in earlier springs...driving along, every now and then, a brilliant pop of purple would catch my attention. What is that tree, I would find myself thinking?

I have drooled over the Eastern Redbud for years. Every spring, it makes itself known by brilliant purple buds, highlighted by reddish heart-shaped leaves, left over from the preceding fall and winter.

Below, it is nothing but a bare stick-like twig. On the lower right (below) is my smallest Redbud. I planted it in March (before the snow made the landscape white). I got it at a native plant nursery, and was happy that it was reasonably priced and that I could 'handle' digging a hole for this smaller size seedling.

This little twig-like seedling gave a couple of blooms this spring...not much to look at, really--but, I'm just happy it had any blooms at all. Pinkish purple is such a cheery color:

Anyway...back to my dreaming. I wanted more of a 'splash of color'. I wanted to wake up and see it in my own yard...not just on a walk or a drive.

So, I added a 'just a little larger one', after the small seedling. Nothing so big I couldn't dig a hole for it. It wasn't blooming and it still wasn't 'much', but it was a Redbud, so I was happy. Here's the 2nd of my Redbuds in bloom, recently:

And again, below:

Anyway, despite seeing the lovely purple blooms of my two small redbuds, I couldn't help myself last week and I just decided to 'bite the bullet', so to speak, at a local privately owned nursery. I had been 'spying on' their larger Redbuds and plotting where I would put one in my front yard--for at least two months.

I had just the spot. I ordered the tree, paid, and was told it could be up to two weeks before they could deliver and plant it. But before I got home that afternoon, the guys were in my front yard digging a hole in the area I had marked!

It might look small in the photo, but when you compare it to the seedlings I planted in the backyard, you can understand why it had to be put on a truck and delivered...and planted, by some strong burly guys ;)

Remember the seedling in the backyard (below)?

This newest addition is quite a few years older and there really is no comparison when it comes to bud development. I needed to see the color and I needed to see a lot of it! And I got what I was looking for :)

I love how it hangs on to its leaves from the previous season...so beautiful!

The new, spring heart-shaped leaves are almost just as lovely, in their green attire:

So now, my front yard has a little highlight, from this newest tree. Even though it isn't huge, it's got something interesting to offer. I am sure each spring it will be more and more exciting to wait for the pops of purple it will offer up! Doesn't it look lovely against the back-drop of my neighbors Dogwood tree?

Between March and April I went from no Redbuds to three Redbuds! Of course, my 'favorite' one is the biggest one because it offers the most buds and therefore the most color.

But I have high hopes for my two backyard seedlings/trees. In a few years, they will also add a big splash of spring color to the backyard garden. I just didn't want to have to wait ;)

Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud) (native to the eastern woodlands from New Jersey to northern Florida, and westward to the Great Plains) can grow up to 30 feet tall. It is generally an 'understory' tree, however, and will fit in well with all of the oaks, tulip poplars, and other much taller trees in my front and back yards. Its green, heartshaped leaves turn red in fall and since it is considered deciduous, the red leaves that do stay on add a little color through the winter. After 2 or 3 weeks of flowering, leaves appear and the flowers drop. It produces flat reddish-brown pods that will remain on the tree until after leaf fall and some will even persist throughout winter. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9. *I have not experienced the complete leafing-out phase or the fruiting phase. I'll show more photos when that happens! The pods will look like beans hanging down from the tree!

Apparently, the flowers of the tree can be put into salads or fried and eaten! I have been way too busy enjoying them to bother with harvesting and eating them. But perhaps when all three trees are blooming, I'll become more willing to experiment!

As for the wildlife value of native Redbud, I read that cardinals, ring-necked pheasants, bob-whites and rose-breasted grosbeaks enjoy feeding on the seeds. (White-tailed deer and gray squirrels have also been observed feeding on the seeds--I have plenty of both and that's no surprise. What DON'T they eat?!?!). Also, the Redbud flowers can help and contribute to the production of honey by bees. Overall, I love this tree.

I've joined Gail at Clay and Limestone for "Wildflower Wednesday", along with other bloggers who are sharing natives and wildflowers that they love. Be sure to visit!

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Can You Identify These Animal Tracks?

2013-03-07T10:58:00.002-05:00

Because I have been having a problem with some unidentified animal chomping on my treasured Hellebores (see Devastation in the Garden) I need some help figuring out which critter it might be. We just had some snow...and when I took pictures this morning, I discovered some tracks that I'm not familiar with. I don't think they are squirrel tracks...because they are not all over the yard. There are lots of other tracks all over the yard, which are probably squirrels...because I DO have LOTS of squirrels here. But these tracks are only in a few areas and they stand out. What could they be? Raccoons? Rats? I've been doing some google-searches but still could use some help. I am thinking about taking down the birdfeeders. I'm thinking whatever it is that is coming in here at night and destroying my Hellebores is a) nocturnal and b) interested in the seeds. Here are the photos:

I also covered my Hellebores with some metal hanging plant baskets, and surrounded a couple with some small trellises that I have stored in the garage. Here are some photos of what they look like until I can figure out what else to do about this problem:

As you can see, there are tracks all over the entire backyard. Some are mine, some are from the dogs (who only go outside to go potty several times a day so they are not the culprits because I am always with them), some are from squirrels. The mystery tracks are what I would like to resolve. Can you help me?

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

More New Natives For My Gardens

2013-03-04T19:39:00.003-05:00

I drove up to Alexandria on Saturday to visit a native plant nursery. Since they weren't just yet open for the season, I had made an appointment in advance. I was the only customer and had the undivided attention of Randee, the manager of Nature-By-Design. I had spoken with him a few days earlier asking if he had any Spigelia. I have just one plant that I got from Carolyn's Shade Gardens during a visit a couple of years ago. I liked it so much that I wanted to add a few more. When Randee said he had what I was looking for, I asked about Claytonia. He said yes. Then I asked about Cercis...I've wanted a nice Eastern Redbud for a while. He had that, too. So it was a no-brainer--off I went with money in hand!

2 Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

It's often been my experience that native's are not 'cheap'! They can put a 'dent' in your pocketbook because they aren't always readily available on the market. But I've been working on creating a native backyard habitat for some time now and there a few shrubs, small trees and plants that I've been hoping to get--sooner, rather than later--so I just 'bit the bullet', so to speak.

2 Ilex verticillata, 1 male & 1 female (American Winterberry)

Although nothing is really 'beautiful' when not in bloom, I'm happy with my purchases.

Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea)

You'll notice, from the photos, that I came back with much more than I originally went up for. Isn't that always the case? Whether it's the grocery store or the garden center...who leaves with just a couple of items?! I'll admit I've done it on occasion--but not usually.

Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pink Azalea)

You might look at some of these photos and wonder why I'm so excited. It's because I know they are native to my area of Virginia. And, because I know that when they are in bloom they are going to be gorgeous!!

2 Dryopteris marginalis (Woodfern)

They will provide the native birds, bees and butterflies with the pollen, nectar and/or berries that they crave, and they will generally adapt to the soil conditions and climate of my yard, because they are naturally meant to be here.

8 Spigelia marilandica (Woodland Pinkroot), 2 Eupatorium purpureum (Sweet Joe Pye Weed),
3 Erythronium albidum (White Trout Lily)

That's not to say that they are 'guaranteed' to grow. Oh, if only that were the case, my yard would be a native jungle by now!

The Trout Lily has some above-ground foliage

No, it's not any 'simpler' to start natives in a suburban backyard than to start any other plant. But it's a wise choice because once they are embedded in the soil and landscape, they will require less water and generally less effort than many non-natives.

2 Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)

They will put up with the ups-and-downs that this climate throws at them, unlike, say, a plant that thrives in mainly tropical climates or one that likes the desert conditions only. Yes, sometimes it feels like the tropics here--and sometimes it feels like the desert, deep in July. But it's zone 7A...and the natives I'm spending my money on are comfortable here. It's their home.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)

I mentioned earlier that there were no blooms just yet...but the Green and Gold (below) has blooms already because Randee had been growing them in the greenhouse and then put them out in the sun. In our current and (expected to continue) blast of cold weather, the flowers and perhaps even the foliage, will die--but that won't kill the plants themselves. I have other Green and Gold's that haven't yet emerged from the ground so these are just a little ahead of schedule but I'm sure they'll be okay.

Viola canadensis (White Violet), Viola sororia (Blue Violet), Viola striata (Striped Violet),
Chrysogonum virginianum (Green and Gold)

Sadly (!) I have to make another trip to the nursery to exchange 3 Spigelia for 3 Claytonia. During the visit, we forgot to put the Spring Beauties aside!! I have never had those in my garden and I really want them...so sometime this week or next weekend I'll make a visit to swap out the plants. I will try to fight the temptation to buy more natives while I'm there. I've done enough damage for this month!

Since today is Tuesday, I am almost a week late to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday (held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Clay and Limestone) but I'm going to link to her meme because I'm trying to participate every month this year and don't want 'a little week' to interfere with my good intentions! Thanks for having this every month, Gail!

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

DEVASTATION in the Garden.

2013-03-03T11:47:00.000-05:00

Went outside to take some photos of some new native plants I bought yesterday and was instead caught off-guard by some sights that almost made me weep. Many of my favorite Hellebores were chomped, chewed, mauled and destroyed sometime during the night.

Helleborus "Gold Finch"...I was really looking forward to watching this one bloom. There had been 2 buds that I'd been watching and they finally opened a couple of days ago but did I get a photo while they were still attached? Sadly, no.

Am also a bit sad by the devastation to Helleborus "Phoenix". I did manage a previous photo of her, but when a new flower opened I had not yet captured that one. Here it is now.

Then there are the Helleborus Orientalis...lots of 'em...just lying everywhere:

...some left to dangle by a mere thread:

H. "Red Lady" had one flower still hanging on...but the rest, scattered.

H. "Ashwood Doubles"...also a wreck. Never even had a chance to see the buds open up.

HCG "Green Corsican" didn't have every flower removed, though it was certainly also mauled:

As was H. ballardiae "Pink Frost", another favorite. This one wasn't hurt much--just bruised.

Fortunately H. "Pink Lady" was allowed to keep most of her buds, as well...

BUT. I'm not happy about this. Last spring something similar happened. The devastation was so horrible I can't remember whether I shared photos or not. I started using "Bobbex" at that time, thinking it would keep the deer and squirrels at bay. I thought it was working. I'm not sure what creature came over the fence and decided to ruin my garden, but they better be on the lookout because I'm going to be keeping my eyes open tonight.

I'm still torn between sad and mad. I want to cry and I want to scream. But I do know the sun will come out tomorrow and I'm not dead yet...so it isn't the end of my world.

But. You know. If you are a gardener, you know.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: February, 2013

2013-02-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

Every month on the 15th I shake my head and say 'already?' Yes, it's already time, once again, for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens. *(In fact, it's past time, now, as I'm getting this post published a day late). While I don't have tons of flowers in bloom, I have to say there are quite a few more than were available for January's bloom day post.

Hellebores are still in bud and bloom. Some still look very similar to photos from last month, while others have opened and continue to do so. I will probably have Hellebores in my blog posts in March and April, perhaps even beyond that.

H. x ballardiae "Pink Frost", a little less direct sunlight in this photo

Helleborus x nigercors (Winter Rose)
HCG "Green Corsican"

H. hybridus

Helleborus niger 'Jacob' (blooming since November and still producing buds and blooms)

H. hybridus "Red Lady"

Several varieties of Galanthus are scattered throughout the yard, all opening at various times through the winter and early spring--so they will continue to pop up when I least expect it. There are 'Giant Snowdrops', 'Common Snowdrops' and some that truly look like miniatures that are only now beginning to show the teensiest sign of a bud.

Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

G. elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)

Here is the only Scilla that began to pop out a tiny blue blossom a couple of days ago--so it shouldn't be too long until the whole flower begins to unfold. I planted a few more of them last year...

...also known as Squill

Crocus 'Romance' surprised me yesterday afternoon in one area of the garden, although like the Scilla, there is only one that showed its pretty head. The rest are all still in hiding.

And this one particular Hyacinth has been pushing out a bud for over a week and there is the faintest hint of blue.

Hyacinth (blue)

Golden Groundsel has evergreen foliage, generally in the heart-shaped leaf form. However, when it gets ready to form buds, they develop in longer, toothier-edged leaves. The buds start out reddish-purple, as they are right now (below):

Senecio aureus aka Packera aureus (Golden Groundsel, a native groundcover)

Last year, Golden Groundsel's buds looked like this in mid-March:

Golden Groundsel March, 2012

Later in the spring, they will turn bright yellow and look like an entirely different plant. Pretty cool! Here is a photo from last spring, the end of April:

Native Packera aureas (Golden Groundsel), April 28, 2012

Lastly...I found this mushroom/fungi growing on the edge of a small treestump in the yard. I thought it could be considered a 'bloom' so I'm including it :)

Narcissus have yet to flower in my yard, but foliage has been up for some time. I seem to have some late blooming daffodils...I guess I need to add some earlier bloomers.

I've been noticing all the Monarda foliage spreading throughout an area of the side garden. Maybe it will put on a good show this year, as I don't remember having so much of it in past years. See all the squirrel holes (or deer tracks?)...they are all over the gardens.

Native Monarda didyma (Beebalm) foliage

Be sure to stop over at Carol's May Dream's Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in mid-February.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Hellebores Beginning to Show Their Colors

2013-01-30T21:17:00.002-05:00

Wow! So we went from the 20's last week to a high today of 72°, with temps dropping tomorrow to the 30's by Friday. So glad I could be in the garden this afternoon! Look what I found?! Helleborus 'Phoenix' was opened!

Helleborus 'Phoenix'

I cut back the old, tattered foliage on all the hellebores so I could see the new buds and flowers more closely. Some are already opening, others are looking very ready--

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost'

Helleborus nigercors 'Green Corsican'

Still others, just starting to form buds.

Hellebore 'Gold Finch' (will have pinkish spots when fully opened!)

The H. niger has been blooming since November and buds and flowers from all stages continue to hang on...a very interesting hellebore.

Hellebore 'Niger' (flowers from November, December and January are still hanging on)

Even now, this same hellebore variety continues to form new buds

Opening bud of H. niger

Now that I've cut off the old foliage the buds will be more exposed to the cold weather that is headed here again in the next few days...but hellebores are tough plants and will withstand just about whatever comes there way. (Except overly soggy, wet conditions--with lack of drainage. In those cases, they might begin to rot and not do well). Hellebores are native to Europe...so no, they are NOT native to North America. However, they are wonderful shade tolerant plants and who could complain about buds and blooms in winter and early spring? They are definitely not invasive thugs so they are going to stay in my garden!

Helleborus 'Ashwood Doubles'

Helleborus 'Red Lady'

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

H. 'Ivory Prince'

I have quite a few of the H. hybridus. They are in various stages of development, with some being prolific bloomers and others just tiny seedlings. H. hybridus (also called H. orientalis) self-seeds pretty well and I've been able to transplant the seedlings to various areas of the gardens over the past couple of years.

Helleborus orientalis or H. hybridus

And for the finale, Galanthus elwesii, AKA 'Giant Snowdrop'. Isn't it cute?

Galanthus elwesii

For being 'giant', it is still really a small plant. This year, it's 3rd year in the garden, it has 3 flowers. In a few years, it should produce many more blooms. Galanthus are not native to North America, either. They are native to Europe. But they are in no danger of invading my garden so they get to stay, too.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wildflower Wednesday Celebration: January, 2013

2013-01-23T07:52:00.000-05:00

Last fall (sometime in September, 2012) I got a delivery of native plants that I had ordered through my affiliation with the Audubon of Northern Virginia's 'Audubon at Home' program, where I volunteer as an 'At-Home Ambassador'. Serving as an Ambassador includes connecting with individuals in my community and sharing how to create natural habitats in their yards. We visit community properties, both private and commercial, and do a walk-through with the owners, encouraging things like conserving water (ie: using rain barrels), removing invasives and replacing with native species, and reducing and/or eliminating pesticides and chemicals. If the property owners are really motivated, they set out to become certified with Audubon's 'Wildlife Sanctuary Program' as a Certified Wildlife Sanctuary. For me, this all came about as part of my local Master Gardener involvement. Last year, the Master Gardeners in my area and Audubon of Northern Virginia formed an alliance, establishing a relationship that opened up opportunities for many of us to become Ambassadors. I have enjoyed this added dimension to my Master Gardener involvement. I am going to talk more about this wonderful program in future posts, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, let's get on with the native plant delivery, which you can see part of on my driveway, below.

Believe it or not, that photo isn't even all of them! There were some resting on either side of my driveway, as well. You see, not all of these natives were for me alone. I had ordered them for three other 'habitats' that I had certified as Wildlife Sanctuaries. Two yards were local individuals, each of whom purchased five natives a piece, and one was for a local church, where five natives were also ordered. The program doesn't often include opportunities to purchase and deliver the native plants; usually we offer recommendations to the property owners based on what sort of wildlife and/or pollinators they would like to attract to their yards. But sometimes Audubon of No. Va. is able to arrange a sale, and this was one of those times. Three plants native to our area of VA (including ground covers and vines) and two seedlings (including trees and shrubs) were offered as a package for shady areas or sunny areas. Audubon's local 'source' for the natives was Earth Sangha in Fairfax, VA. Below is the list of plants we were given to choose from (I have placed a * on those I already had or a * on those just added):

Sun:

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)*

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)*

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)*

Narrow-leaved Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)*

Three-lobed Coneflower (Rudbekia triloba)*

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbekia hirta)*

Dwarf Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis)*

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum leave)*

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) shrub*

Black Chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa) shrub*

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) vine*

Shade:

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)*

Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum)*

White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata)*

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)*

Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)*

Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)*

Bluestem Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)*

Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)*

Downy Serviceberry (Amelachier arborea) shrub*

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) shrub*

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) shrub*

In future posts I'll share some of the plants that I chose and a bit about each of them as they bloom throughout the upcoming seasons. I am linking to Gail's Clay and Limestone blog, for her monthly meme, Wildflower Wednesday. Stop over and see what other plants native-enthusiasts are sharing on the first Wildflower Wednesday this January 23, 2013.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

What I Did Last Weekend

2013-01-17T11:12:00.000-05:00

What was I doing this past weekend? Planting Natives, of course!

I try to get my natives from plant sales with the local wildflower and master gardener groups; or, order from reputable online nurseries. But I have to admit I was a sucker for these packaged wildflowers in my big box store before Christmas. I don't know if they will even make it but I'm trying anyway.

*I know some native plant experts might not recommend this...for many reasons--one of which, in addition to 'are they viable?' is, where was the 'source'. If they were taken 'from the wild' and then sold, that's a 'no no'. (It's a no-no to take them from the wild, period...even if you do not intend to sell them. So please don't dig up natives while you're walking in the woods) ;)

At any rate, because they'd been sitting in my garage in packages for over a month, and it was a fairly decent day outside, I took the opportunity to dig 3 inch holes and plant them. The packages said they might not sprout until the 2nd year, so I probably won't have a 'verdict' about the success or failure of these little packages right away.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wait! I'm Keeping This Blog!

2013-01-17T10:36:00.001-05:00

Ya know, I've been playing around with the idea of leaving Thanks For Today in favor of moving over to my Planting Natives blog...but I just can't do it. I am loving planting natives in my yard, and I support attracting wildlife and practicing sustainable gardening through wise plant choices. But after announcing that I'm switching over there, I find it difficult to feel free (over there) to write about anything other than 'planting natives'!! I am so much more than that! So, I've decided that I'll continue to blog here, and that way I can write about any kind of plant (native or not), and any topic at all...non-gardening as well...and it will all be fine.

So now that I've totally confused you, I hope you'll stick around because I'm going to stay right here on this blog, okay? I will try to post more often this year. I've been a very bad blogger, and blogging friend, to those of you who I have gotten to know so well over the past few years.

Look for more posts soon, and eventually, some visits from me;) I am too connected to this blog to let it go. I will put my Planting Natives blog on hold. Great idea, but 'too limiting' for me at this point!

Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

January, 2013 Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day

2013-01-15T12:03:00.000-05:00

It's a chilly, rainy day here in northern Virginia, and there isn't much blooming in the garden on this January 15th. But since it is, after all, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I made a short trek around the garden with my camera to see what's in bloom. Although none of my native plants are in bloom just yet, there are a few lovely blooms, nonetheless.

Snowdrops (Galanthus) are in bloom. They are so very tiny and delicate, I had to bend way down to get these shots. If I didn't make a special effort to look for them, I would almost certainly miss them.

Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) has been in bloom since November. If you look at the photos, you can see the blooms that are faded and look more tattered than the newer, whiter ones.

A few other Hellebores have buds that are pretty far along and will be in full bloom soon.

Sweet Allysum has been flowering since I put it in a container arrangement last summer. It isn't something I plant often, but I was happy to see it continuing to bloom. For an annual, that's pretty cool, I think.

While not blooms, per se, the bright red berries on the Dwarf Nandina add a cheeriness to the garden.

Indoors, the Amaryllis (below) is holding on to the last stalk of 3, each stalk having had 3 blooms each.

To view more photos of blooms around the world on this day in January, visit Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Coming To Terms With Aster Yellows Disease

2012-07-03T19:43:00.001-04:00

Darling you got to let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

If you say that you are mine

I'll be here til the end of time

So you got to let me know

Should I stay or should I go?--The Clash, 1981

I really didn't want to have to talk about this. It's not something I've been looking forward to. But I had to reach out for help before it's too late and I'm 'taken out'. Literally.

*If my Echinacea could talk, this is what it would be saying right now!

I am a Coneflower. Echinacea purpurea, to be exact. I am a magnet for pollinators!

Over the last several years the head master gardener here, Jan, has come to realize the importance of native plants and began adding me and my pals to the gardens.

Here in Just-Be Gardens, I am mostly true-to-the-native-form (but a couple of my friends are cultivars, such as E. 'Pink Double Delight', above.)

Along the way, my head master gardener was intrigued by some of the new cultivars and brought home several, such as E. 'Pixie Meadowbright', E. 'Kim's Knee High', E. 'Magnus', E. 'Cocunut Lime'--but many of them did not return the following year.

That has been 'OK' with Jan, because she learned that pollinators have a lot of difficulty entering those fluffy, frilly cultivars and that in many cases, they are sterile and don't produce much pollen to begin with. And being sterile means they produce no seeds to reproduce themselves or most especially, to feed the birds such as goldfinches, that are looking to snack on their seedheads...such as these Rudbeckia--Black Eyed Susan's--provide in a different area of Jan's garden:

But I will say, strictly speaking as a coneflower, E. 'Pink Double Delight' has been a highlight of my time in Just-Be Gardens. She has come back year after year and even though she's got 'frills', she's always covered with my insect friends.

It's not that it isn't okay to have some of the cultivars of Echinacea, if you like them...just be sure you also provide some natives so my pollinator friends can actually get some substantial sustenance like pollen and seeds!

At any rate, there's a big problem lately here in Just-Be Gardens, and the head master gardener seems to think the only way to solve it is to rip us out.

We all seem to be plagued by a new 'oddity' that has never entered these gardens before. Jan has tried to ignore it, claiming to 'accept' us with our flaws and not judge only by outward appearances.

After talking to some other gardeners and doing some research, however, my Echinacea friends and I are afraid she has come to the haltingly grim conclusion that we have got to go! (We wondered what she's been doing this past year in her Master Gardener classes...and now we're not so sure we're happy with some of her new-found knowledge)!

We really don't look THAT ugly, do we? What harm can come from letting us stay, I ask you?

It seems that we've got something called Aster Yellows. It's a disease caused by an organism called a phytoplasma--similar to a virus or bacteria.

The phytoplasma is sucked up by leafhoppers, which feed on us and then pass it from plant to plant.

Perhaps you've seen something like the white substance on the hosta shoot, below? Ever wonder what that was? It's not a disease...it's leafhoppers! Leafhoppers don't really hurt the hosta...so they can just be hosed off, wiped off, or allowed to stay, if you're ok with their visiting.

But leafhoppers carry the phytoplasma organism from this damaging Aster Yellows disease to many other plants, particularly Echinacea...but also to Rudbeckia, along with hundred of other kinds of plants in a variety of families.

I have to agree with the head master gardener here, it would be sad if our disease was transmitted to her other plants, which would not only make them look deformed, but continue the cycle even further.

If we aren't ~~yanked~~ pulled up out of the ground and ~~thrown in the garbage~~ disposed of, we won't necessarily die this year, but next year when we produce our flowers they will likely still have the disease, and it might even be worse than what we have now.

So, I guess this is goodbye from ~~all~~ most of us Echinacea at Just-Be Gardens:( The head master gardener has said she won't rip out any of us that aren't showing signs of the disease, but will be keeping a close eye on us and the first time she spots it again, out the next ones will go, too. This isn't something to fool around with and Jan is right to ~~throw us out~~ bury us. But she has said she is going to continue to grow us, because she loves us.

Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love, I guess. Such is life in the real world, and in the gardening world.

Since native plants are important to me and included in the subject of this post, I've added it to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday meme at her Clay and Limestone blog.

Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: June, 2012

2012-06-16T16:32:00.001-04:00

Color is everywhere in my gardens. Here's a sampling of 'what's blooming' for June's Garden Blogger's Bloom Day:

Front Gardens:

Top Left to Right, clockwise: Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), Blazing Star (Liatris)--with Butterfly Weed, and BeeBalm (Monarda)

L-R, clockwise: Indian Blanket Flower 'Mesa Yellow' (Gaillardia) with Dianthus, Hydrangea, Veronica 'Royal Candles', pink Guara

There are at least 6 huge patches of Balloon Flower in the garden this year

Russian Sage with Butterfly Weed interspersed with the red blooms of Salvia greggi

Veronica 'Icicle' and 'Red Fox'

A Certain Kind of Light....

2012-05-26T09:49:00.000-04:00

It was a morning like most others, but there was a certain kind of light...

Edited with Picasa's "1960's effect"

Actual lighting, un-retouched by editing

It really was magical. I played around with the photo effects between "normal" and "1960's", and since I couldn't decide which I liked best, I've just included them both;-)

Actual lighting

"1960's effect"

A broader view from further back on the deck:

Then, there were the spiders and their webs. The morning light was so good that it highlighted many of the webs on plants throughout the back gardens...

And lastly, as I finished my morning walk-around, I was fascinated by the steam rising from the wooden fence. We had had a heavy downpour the night before, and things were beginning to dry out as the temperature began to rise. Because the sunlight was streaming in, it really accentuated the typically unnoticed process happening along the fence...

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, happy Memorial Day to everyone. Please remember to give thanks for those who fought for our freedom and never came back to enjoy their own. Let us not forget them:-)

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Mid-May...(Just a Taste)

2012-05-16T18:42:00.001-04:00

Peony 'Bowl of Beauty' really is a charmer. She's new to the garden this year, having been planted from a rhizome last year and already giving out loads of buds the very first year:

Here she is with Iris pallida 'Aureo Variegata':

I've never had Catmint in my garden...until recently, when I added several plants in different locations. Nepeta x fassenni 'Walkers Low':

Catmint with Heuchera 'StopLight' in background:

Catmint in a pot:

I have 3 Allium Globemasters that had large buds but they never opened. I think that is because I just planted them late (in January) when I planted some daffodils...although the daffodils opened, despite the late planting. Here is Allium christophii (Star of Persia):

Allium 'Globemaster'...1 of 3 that never bloomed (this was in a pot, the other 2 were
in the ground. I've since put them all in the ground)

I ~~missed~~ am late for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day this month, and I missed April entirely--so I'll try to make some shorter posts to show what's been blooming for the past 2 months...

The other day I had a Pedicure for the first time in over a year. It was really relaxing! I've been dealing with some back and nerve-pain issues lately, as well as Achilles tendinitis...and just am not 'on the ball' as much as I'd like. I have a TON of garden photos, as I take them almost every day, yet, I don't seem to be able to gather my thoughts and organize things like I used to. I'll try to make some shorter posts, highlighting just a few plants each time, so you can see what's been happening in my garden. It has really been beautiful this year--sorry about not blogging much or visiting your blogs like I used to.

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Native Trees & Shrubs for Arbor Day (& MORE for Wildflower Wednesday!)

2012-04-27T12:10:00.001-04:00

Over the last three years, I've been adding native plants, shrubs, groundcovers and seedlings to my yard. Recently, the local chapter of the Audubon society had a native seedling sale and I took advantage of it. I'm still trying to decide the best 'spots' to plant each of the various seedlings, depending on their needs for sun or shade, dry or moist conditions, etc. in my zone 7-A yard. Since they are all native to my area, almost any area will suffice, but with young seedlings, I still need to take into consideration whether the soil is in its 'natural' state or whether at some point in the past, I've amended that area or whether it is naturally damper or dryer than other parts of the yard, etc. Despite their 'native' habitat, if the plant isn't placed in just the right place, it still has a chance of not surviving. So right now I'm working out just where I want to put them all. Here they all are before I unwrap them and sort them out:

Here's what I got...:

4 American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) "Multi-stemmed shrub valued for its distinctive catkins, copper-red to yellow fall color, edible nuts and naturalistic form. Ideal for dry sties with poor soil. Prefers partial shade. 10-15 feet."

2 Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) "Large heads of fragrant white flowers in mid-summer are followed by clusters of deep purple or black berries, edible for humans and at least 48 species of birds. Flourishes in shade or sun, tolerates dry or wet sites. 6-12 feet. Great rain garden plant."

2 Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) "Attractive white flowers are among the first to bloom in early spring. Berry-like summer fruits are a food source for songbirds and edible for humans. Prefers moist and sun to part-shade conditions. Height 25-30 feet, fast-growing shrubby structure."

2 Cranberrybush Viburnum (Vibernum trilobum) " Grows 8-12 feet with white clusters of flowers in May. Bright red berries can be used to make jelly, and provide food for birds through the winter. Good wetland plant."

I also ordered a different seedling package at the same time, but for some reason got TWO of the same package I just listed...so I really have 8 Hazelnut, 4 Elderberry, 4 Serviceberry and 4 Viburnum. I am trying to see if I can get them to give me the seedlings I ordered, but if not, I think I'll donate the extras to my Master Gardening group. I am going to 'miss' the following shrubs/trees, however, and hope to at least get a few of them at some point. They are (*were*):

2 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) "Leaves have a spicy, peppery smell when crushed. Spicebush prefers moist to wet, part sun to shade conditions. Yellow flowers emerge in early spring. 6-12 feet tall."

2 Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) "This shrub's blue berries have high wildlife value. Prefers well-drained, moist soil and sunny or part-sun conditions. Good for streambanks. Fast growing. 6-10 feet."

2 Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) "Features multi-stemmed striking red branches and twigs, white berries and flowers, and red or purple fall leaves. This deciduous shrub grows best in full sun to part shade and in moist soil. 6-10 feet."

2 Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) "This small tree has long, broad leaves and the largest fruit native to our continent. It grows best in moist, well-drained areas in part shade. The pawpaw usually reaches 12-20 feet. It can form stands from root suckers."

At any rate, I think most of these new shrubs/small trees are going to be happy, someplace, here in my gardens.

I planted 3 other small native seedlings just over a year ago, and I am happy to report that they are doing quite well here. I didn't post about them so I will do so now. My very first Serviceberry was planted in late 2010, as a young seedling. It's survived 2 winters and has grown quite a bit. I'm guessing the other Serviceberry's I'll be adding will have no trouble at all:

I planted native Dwarf Sumac (Rhus copallina) last spring, and it has finally greened up and leafed out a bit:

I have had to nurse the base of the trunk for the past month, however, as somehow it was nearly severed. I'm not sure if it was from my dogs or another critter. I 'velcroed' it in one place and attached a small craft stick wrapped with masking tape (!) to a metal garden marker in another place! I'm hoping the broken wood will grow back together. It seems to be perfectly fine and hasn't skipped a beat!

I planted native Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) about the same time as the Dwarf Sumac:

Did you know that today is Arbor Day? I thought it was perfect timing for me to get out and get these seedlings in the ground. Additionally, since Gail of Clay and Limestone was celebrating Wildflower Wednesday this week, I thought I'd add an additional post to her celebration. I just love gardening with natives...be they ground covers, plants, or trees and shrubs. I will try to post more regularly about the many natives I've added to my garden. So many of them are 'in bloom' that I can hardly keep up;-)

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wildflower Wednesday: Native Ginger

2012-04-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

I have two varieties of native ginger. Asarum arifolium and Asarum canadense. Both are low growing herbs with kidney or heart-shaped leaves, spreading by rhizomes. They are planted in fairly shady, moist areas near my stream. *Wild ginger is not related to common ginger. It is in the 'Birthwort' family.

Variety #1: Asarum arifolium (Arrowleaf Ginger, Heartleaf Wild Ginger) has anise-scented leaves and produces tan/gray flowers in the shape of jugs, thus the nickname 'little jug'. The leaves can be variegated, although the leaves on my plant look pretty much the same shade of green at this point in time. The leaves are evergreen, although they turn brown and the old leaves die as new ones are forming. *Not sure if this plant serves as a larval host to any butterflies as does A. canadense, below (there was some conflicting information while I was trying to research the differences)* It contains a rodent carcinogen, so this herb may be poisonous to humans, as well.

Late April: The leaves are heart-shaped and quite large, but there are no signs of any blooms.

Early April: The leaves were enlarging and last years brown foliage was disintegrating.

Late March: Last years brown foliage was still attached as the new growth popped through the ground.

Variety #2:
Asarum canadense (Canadian Ginger, Canadian Snakeroot): Rhizomes were used by Native Americans as a seasoning and medicinal herb. It produces reddish-brown flowers with 3 sepals. *This plantserves as the larval host for the Pipevine Swallowtail*

Late April: The leaves are heart shaped but much smaller and rounder than the first variety.

Early April: Leaves have become fully rounded with a smaller heart shape, and red blooms have fully formed. The blooms are attached to the base of the plant underneath the leaves and are difficult to see unless you physically move the leaves.

Late March: The leaves are not yet fully developed and are quite small, but the flowers have formed.

They have spread quite a bit since they were planted a year ago.

I placed sticks around the plants to help remind me not to step on them, and to prevent the dogs from running them over.

Before Wednesday comes to a close, I wanted to join Gail at Clay and Limestone for Wildflower Wednesday, where garden bloggers post photos and information about wildflowers and native plants they are growing. I'm finishing this post just in the nick of time!

What gifts have you discovered today? Every day I discover something new. I hope you do, as well! Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Mid-March Blooms Are Way Ahead of Schedule

2012-03-19T19:22:00.000-04:00

As others in various parts of the country have been noticing, this was the winter that wasn't. At least where I live it ~~wasn't~~ was;~} Many of my plants are at least 2 weeks ahead this year. Others seem more like months ahead...

Dicentra, Brunnera and Pulmonaria did not bloom until April last year...but not this year!

Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)

Dicentra spectabilis 'alba'

Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Buglose)

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' (Lungwort)

I have barely been able to keep up with the blooms that pop daily out of the ground and begin to show off their colors. Every day I walk through the garden and take photos--and without fail, the very next day, there is something new. Sometimes it all happens within the same day: I'll go for a garden walk in the morning, and again in the afternoon--and there is frequently something new that has emerged or opened up within a span of a few hours. It's overwhelming at times, very surprising, and wonderful!

Mertensia surprised me about a week ago...

Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)

...and Hepatica has been blooming for at least a week and a half--again, weeks before last year as shown in my March 23, 2011 post.

Hepatica acutiloba 'f. rosea'

Hepatica nobilis 'v. acuta' (white)

Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort) pink

This has been the best March I can ever remember! (Of course, February was pretty good, too. Plants were surprising me then, as well). It's just that this month, some of the plants that have opened don't usually bloom until later on in the spring. So it sometimes feels as if I've hit the jackpot when I do a walk-through! Look at my Bloom Day post from mid-March, 2011. There wasn't much blooming last year! This year things are definitely different.

The Kerria opened on the 15th--my post on Kerria from a year ago showed it opening the last week of the month (about the 27th).

Kerria japonica

Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) started blooming in January, which is normal...but many Helleborus hybrids were blooming in February, and by early March, all were blooming. (Except for those gnawed off by squirrels. Luckily I have found a way to keep them at bay and have been spraying with Bobbex regularly. It seems to be working!).

Decided to beat the squirrels and pick off a few blooms before they could get to them!

Buds are ready to pop on the native Rue Anemone:

Anemonella thalictroides (Rue anemone)

In fact, on one of them, they already have:

Just planted Fritillaria bulbs (in January--very late!) so this is the first I've had one coming into bloom in my garden. I don't know if it's early or not, but I'm happy I 'Bobbexed' it before the critters could get to it:

Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Daffodil, aka Snakes Head)

Lots of Heuchera are up and have small blooms already (such as Heuchera 'Georgia Peach', and others). Heucherella is also blooming in my garden:

Heucherella 'Day Glow Pink' (Coral Bells and Tiarella combo)

As are the Tiarella...many are leafing out and sending out blooms:

Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower)

The Arabis has taken off, as has the Creeping Phlox (both lining the driveway):

Left: Arabis 'Snow Cap' (Rock Cress) and Right: Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)

Iberis sempervirens 'Purity' (Candytuft)

Euphoria 'Blackbird' with blooms opening:

Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

Blooming for a couple of weeks, with plants opening at various times, are Hyacinth:

Hyacinths...Blue and Pink (Surprisingly few of the pink varieties have bloomed at this point...
but that's ok, since the blues are my faves)

...and of course, Narcissus. While some daffodils bloomed early and are finished, others are still in full bloom, with yet my newest varieties just now popping their foliage through the soil. I'll upload the newer ones when they start to bloom, but those that have been in bloom and are currently blooming are:

2 unidentified Narcissus varieties, with Hyancith

Narcissus--unidentified smaller bloom, many have still not flowered yet.

Narcissus 'Jetfire'

Pieris 'Valley Valentine' has really increased her blossoms since my last post:

Hydrangea is really budding out...

Hydrangea is really filling out

The Trillium haven't bloomed yet but are above ground, fairly early; I just hope I can stay ahead of the squirrels with the 'Bobbex'. So far, so good:

Trillium recurvatum (Bloody Butchar)

Trillium luteum (Yellow Wakerobin)

More T. recurvatum 'Red Trillium'

Trillium pusillum (Dwarf Wakerobin)

I was surprised over a week ago when Polemonium began to bloom...

Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder)

It just gets more lovely each day:

I just planted light blue Muscari (in January, when I planted other bulbs) and they are coming up nicely:

Muscari 'Valerie finnis' (light blue)

3 crocus varieties have been blooming for a couple of weeks:

Crocus 'Blue/White Striped'

Crocus 'Romance'

Crocus 'Ruby Giant'

Many Iris reticulata are still blooming--but I think they are about finished:

I was really surprised to see Golden Groundsel already in bud...it was not this early last year (I got it last year at Carolyn's Shade Gardens in April and didn't bloom until late April)!

Native Senecio aureus (Golden Groundsel, aka Squaw Weed) *The blooms will be bright yellow.

With several Forsythia varieties, 2 have been in bloom for about a week, with one type a much later bloomer. It's funny to see in person, as they are planted right next to each other:

A 3rd variety is planted in a different location, with about half of the branches in bloom:

Creeping Speedwell and Lamium are really pretty on one side of the house:

Veronica (Creeping Speedwell)

Lamium maculatum (spotted dead nettle)

Bloodroot was another plant that I posted for Bloom Day last year in mid-April...this year, it bloomed before mid-March!

Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)

Another batch of Bloodroot, in bloom

I am linking this with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. GBBD is on the 15th of each month, and features garden bloggers around the world who show us what is blooming in their part of the planet. Even though I am a few days late, my photos show a pretty good 'mid month view' of my Virginia garden. After I publish this, I can guarantee something will have changed in the garden. Another bud will have opened up, another plant sprouted. I'll walk outside and hosta leaves will have shot up a quarter of an inch from where they were this morning. It is truly a season of change!

Well, that's all for now. I hope you are discovering gifts every day in your garden of life, too:-)

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

What's Blooming Now

2012-03-08T21:39:00.002-05:00

It's March 8th and I've decided to show 'what's blooming right now' in my garden. The last time I blogged was in January and I had 'vowed' to blog at least twice a month. Somehow, February completely slipped away without a single post. Did anyone notice?! Probably not!

Crocus 'Romance' (Just planted bulbs in January!)

Hyacinth

I took photos daily, or at least several times a week, throughout the month of February, so it's all 'on record' if I want to share anything. I'm not sure what the reason for lack of blogging was, but it could have been the fact that most of my blooming plants were being completely destroyed by squirrels. It was kind of depressing, to say the least!

Anyway, I just noticed today that the Candytuft is blooming...it seems early to me:

Iberis sempervirins (Candytuft)

The Pulmonaria started blooming in late February...I could hardly believe it. Much earlier than last year!:

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' (Lungwort)

Here are some of the Hellebore's that are and have been blooming. Some since January, most of the others were blooming the whole month of February. I couldn't show them in February, however, because they were gnawed and eaten, with blooms cut off and looking scraggly! I finally got some good 'critter spray' (Bobbex) and have had good luck with it so these photos show 'intact' plants. (Wait until my next post when I show all the ugliness that the squirrels created here...!):

Helleborus hybridus

Helleborus hybridus (Pine Knot Strain)

A couple of different Hellebores...both 'hybrids'.
(The one below had part of the flower eaten by
squirrels but you can still see the pretty interior as
it opened up).

Helleborus hybridus 'Phoenix'

H. 'Phoenix' (above) was totally chewed off so I had to wait for a new flower to form...

Corsican Hellebore was the only plant that wasn't touched by the squirrels:

Helleborus x nigercors 'Green Corsican'

I have a lot more Hellobores but couldn't show any blooms because either they bloomed and were destroyed, or they haven't bloomed yet. As I said earlier, I have another post 'brewing' about that issue.

I think it's early for Hepatica, compared to last year:
H. nobilis:

Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort)

H. acutiloba:

Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp-lobed Hepatica) - pink

Same with Jacob's Ladder...it is much earlier than last year!:

Polymonium reptans 'Jacob's Ladder'

I just planted these Iris reticulata bulbs in January...so not sure if they are 'early' or not. They began blooming over a week ago:

Iris reticulata (Just planted bulbs in January!)

Daffodils have been blooming for a few weeks, on and off...but I still have several varieties that haven't even broken ground yet. Here are some I've had for years...nothing 'special', really. I planted a bunch of new ones in January and will photograph them when they bloom...

I had to show this guy...usually I'd pull him out but in February, he was welcome!

Dandelion (so-called 'weed' but adds color!)

Veronica repens (ground creeper)

Pieris japonica (Andromeda) 'Valley Valentine'

Vinca Minor (*An 'invasive' vine but I keep it contained, although I wouldn't mind getting rid of
it entirely! I do admire the blue flowers, though)

Ilex Berries (Holly Tree) -- just because it's pretty against the blue sky

If you noticed a white 'film' on any of the plants, it is spray to keep away the squirrels and deer. You might wonder why it would be on things like daffodils, hellebore and pieris. If I didn't know better, I would wonder myself. However, it is necessary, believe me! I have a whole series of photos showing the damage and destruction caused by squirrels alone. I have never had so much hellebore damage. It's a crime, it really is! I'll explain in my next post...

Until then, did you remember to say
Thanks for Today! Unwrap the present; discover the gifts! ?

What gifts did you discover today?

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Backyard Birds--We've Got 'Em Here!

2012-01-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

Every year we look forward to an influx of colorful birds in our yard. The numbers generally pick up in January, and usually coincide with colder temperatures. While birds are here at any given time throughout the year, there is more obvious activity at the feeders during the winter months:

Finches and a Bluebird at one of the feeding stations

What do we do to attract the birds? One thing we do is provide a variety of seeds, nuts and berries in several different bird feeders. Black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower nuts, peanut pieces, safflower seed, nijer seed, and suet is available and enjoyed by many different birds. Here are some birds on the suet feeders:

Downy Woodpecker (female) on suet feeder

Downy Woodpecker (male) on suet feeder

Starling on suet feeder

Carolina Chickadee on suet feeder

Eastern Bluebirds on suet feeder

Here are others on the seed feeders:

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds (Male and Female)

Eastern Bluebirds and House Finch

Red Winged Blackbird

Female Cardinal

Northern Cardinal (male)

Downy Woodpecker (female)

Carolina Wren

Downy Woodpecker and Starling

Chickadee

American Goldfinch

Nijer (Thistle Seed) feeder:

American Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Eastern Bluebird (male)

House Finch (female)

Despite the food offerings, probably the most important thing we do is offer water. Birds love bird seed, but they need water. We started out with a heated birdbath which the birds really love because it prevents the water from freezing over:

Eastern Bluebird (male)

Bluebird (female)

Male House Finch and Female Bluebird

Female (L) and Male (R) Bluebirds

Female Goldfinch

Last summer we also installed a meandering stream. It has proven to be an attractive addition and/or alternative to the birdbath and I've immensely enjoyed watching the birds get to know it:

American Robin

Mourning Dove

House Finch (male) and Goldfinch (male)

Goldfinch (female)

Dark Eyed Juncos

Eastern Bluebird (male) and Junco (male)

Bluebird (female) and Junco (female)

Something else that helps to make the birds feel safe is having some shelter, such as evergreens or bushes/shrubs that don't lose their leaves in the winter. We planted Leyland Cypress on either side of the house, and birds can frequently be seen resting on the bows of the trees, seemingly hidden from sight (except for mine!):

Male (L) and Female (R) Northern Cardinals

We also have holly trees in the front yard, and on either side of the house. This morning I spotted this colorful guy up in the icy-covered branches:

Northern Cardinal (male)

Many birds don't even go to the feeders, but enjoy the food that drops to the ground:

Dark Eyed Junco

~~Tree~~ White Throated Sparrow (I had my short lens on and had to enlarge this photo to see it. Not the clearest photo...)

Even when birds aren't eating, they are simply fun to watch, as they hop on railings, bird feeder poles or tree branches:

House Finch (male)

House Finch (female)

Northern Cardinal (male)

Mourning Dove

American Goldfinch

House Finch and Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird (male)

Eastern Bluebird (female)

Downy Woodpeckers

White Breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

I hope you've enjoyed these photos--I have captured them all within the past couple of weeks. Our weather has finally gotten cold and we've had a little snow a couple of times and even a minor 'icing'. I've said it before, but I do believe it: Winter is for the birds!

What do you do to attract birds?

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2012-01-17T00:11:00.000-05:00

Just in time for January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, six of my Hellebore plants have begun to bloom, with the 'Christmas Rose' completely opened:

Helleborus x niger 'Jacob' (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus x nigercors 'HGC Green Corsican' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus hybridus *unknown variety

Helleborus x hybridus 'Red Lady' (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus x hybridus 'Pine Knot Select' (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost'

I have many other Hellebores but as yet, they haven't developed buds, so there will (hopefully) be more in February, March and April.

All three of my Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrops) have been blooming:

Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)

Galanthus elwesii var.monostichus 'Potter's Prelude' is a November bloomer but didn't develop a flower head this year. Yet to come up out of the ground are three G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop) which bloom much later.

Amaryllis and Paperwhites bloomed around the holidays and are almost finished, but these photos show them when they were at their peak:

Amaryllis hippeastrum 'Red Lion'

Narcissus papyraceus (Paperwhites)

Two of the four African Violets that I grow year-round are in bloom right now:

Saintpaullia (African Violets)

Visit May Dreams Gardens "Garden Bloggers Bloom Day" to see what is blooming in gardens around the world during mid-January.

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Fire, Ice, Snow and Bulbs

2012-01-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday found the edges and still sections of our stream glazed over with ice crystals. It was a pretty sight to view up close:
(Click photos to enlarge)

The next day, I awoke extra-early and glanced outside to see an unusually fiery, spectacular sunrise:

There's an old saying that goes, 'Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning'...but that did not end up applying. As it turned out, last Friday was a pretty day and no 'warnings' were necessary.

The dogs spent more time than usual romping around in the back yard. It was not at all cold--quite mild, as I remember--although I don't recall the exact temperature:

James, our Standard Poodle

Ginny, our Miniature Dachshund

Later that afternoon, I remembered the boxes that had been sitting in the garage since mid-November. Their contents were not 'inexpensive' yet I had lazily set them aside, seemingly willing to forget them. The two shipments of spring bulbs had arrived in the mail well into the fall planting season and I had promptly placed them in the garage, where they sat, as one excuse led to another and I (almost) made peace with the fact that they would rot and I'd just throw them all out. Thanksgiving, Christmas and even New Years Day passed by until, finally, this uncommonly beautiful Friday in January jump-started me into taking a look at them. Out of 433 bulbs, only the Erythronium 'Pagoda' had gotten soft and begun to rot. Suddenly I was excited that the remaining bulbs (all 428 of them!) were fine.

When I proclaimed that I would tackle the bulbs on Saturday, I had no idea that I would wake up to what could have passed as spring--maybe even summer in some climates--but that's exactly what happened! It turned out to be a 70 degree day! So in jeans and just a t-shirt, I planted about half of them in the backyard gardens and along the fence in the side yard:

Sunday turned out to be slightly cooler, but 50 degrees was still great bulb-planting weather and jeans and a light jacket were all that were needed. The ground was still workable, so I got everything else in except for 40 Narcissi, the 3 Allium and a few Crocus and Anemone--which I saved for the following day.

What I didn't foresee was that Monday would bring 30 degree temps and snow--and with it, my ski-jacket and wool hat! Nonetheless, I finished the job, planting the remaining bulbs in pots on the deck:

It felt good to have planted hope! I am looking forward to the color they will bring in mid to late winter and early to mid spring!

Additional views of Muscari plantings:

Muscari 'Valerie Finnis' was planted along the top and sides which surround the waterfall

...Iris reticulata plantings along stream edges:

Iris reticulata was planted along the edges of the stream

Since our brief snow on Monday, the weather has remained moderately temperate. Last night we had a long, soaking rain. Today was up into the 60's. I am now wondering if all of the bulbs I planted are going to rot in the ground and pots. When will winter arrive? Here in northern Virginia, it's keeping us guessing. Has it arrived where you live?

*List of Bulbs planted include: 10 Fritillaria meleagris; 3 Allium 'Globemaster'; 30 Anemone blanda 'White Splendour'; 90 Iris reticulata; 30 Scilla siberica; 30 Muscari 'Valerie Finnis'; 30 Dutch Crocus (Blue/White Striped); 100 Species Crocus--50 'Ruby Giant' and 50 'Romance'; and 105 Narcissus--25 'Jetfire', 20 Dutch Master, 20 'Orangery', 20 'Professor Einstein' and 20 'Tahiti'.

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A New Blogging Year Has Begun!

2012-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and it's time for me to start spending more time here on the blog and less time procrastinating and (I hate to admit it)...'Facebooking'! Yes, I've become somewhat of a Facebook addict in the last year and I need to ween myself from it and back to writing and sharing what's goin' on in my garden!

I never shared this Monkshood that bloomed from late fall into November! It was a charmer!

Honestly, for months on end I have been taking photos of garden 'happenings', but I haven't bothered to share them. Well, a couple of photos did get uploaded to FB but there were no posts written and a huge backlog has developed in my digital photo files! I don't like to make 'New Year's Resolutions' but this is one promise I am going to try to keep: to blog at least twice a month. If I do more, that will be a bonus! I also blog for the Virginia Gardener Magazine, and that has suffered my neglect, as well. 2012 is going to see me getting back to garden blogging.

I haven't yet blogged about the Snowdrops that began blooming in my garden in November!

I was looking through my files today and noticing that I probably have enough material to write a blog post every day, if I wanted to. I've been thinking about the 'purpose' of my blog, and why I even have one at all.

I haven't shared my trip to NYC with my hubby in early November. We had fun, just the two of us.

It is for many reasons...a journal of what's growing in my gardens~for myself~to keep a record and be able to look back and compare each year. It's also a place to write about anything I choose~not just gardening. I have two kids, two pets, and I could be sharing more of the fun times we all have! Additionally, the online friendships that have developed keep me feeling just a little guilty for having not visited the blogs of many of my garden friends for many months...namely, yours! I plan to rectify that in this new year, as well!

We have some fun times with the pets~especially when we have our annual lobster dinner on New Year's Eve!

So, more blog reading and less Facebook reading...?
Well...maybe not (!) because I've really gotten attached to my FB friends and like to keep up there, too. Many of my garden blogging friends are also my friends on FB, so it is fun to be connected there. What has happened, though, is a severe imbalance has occurred and I need to 'fix' it. Clearly, a change needs to happen! And it will. Of course if you use Facebook yourself and we are already blogging friends, I'd love to be your friend there, too. You can find me through this link: https://www.facebook.com/thanksfor2day (This is my personal profile and I try to keep my friend list manageable but if we already know each other through blogging, I'd be happy to be your FB friend! I've noticed some people have FB friends in the thousands...but I don't think I can function too well if mine goes up above just a couple hundred. I get overwhelmed and have actually had to delete people, not out of meanness, but just to be able to maintain my sanity!).

This is my current Facebook profile picture~ it's my family on Christmas Eve this year...oops, I mean last year, 2011!

I also have a Facebook page and whenever I write a blog post, it automatically uploads to the page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thanks-For-Today/207517115988503 (I don't do a lot of interacting on my FB page but I would certainly appreciate you 'liking' it if you visit!). If you have a FB page and I haven't already 'liked' it, please let me know the link!

This is the photo I use on my Facebook 'Thanks For Today' page

Oh, did I mention that for the past four months I was busy taking Master Gardener classes through my local Extension office? I suppose that got me a little distracted from blogging too. The classes were intense, and there was a lot of reading! I finally graduated in mid-December and am now, officially, a Master Gardener Intern. I will start my Internship next week, and expect that there will be lots of things happening that will provide blogging material, as well. So with winter underway--and less time doing actual gardening--I can 'revisit' my photos from the past several months and catch up on what I never blogged about; share some experiences about my Master Gardening classes and upcoming Internship; and, with spring on the way (hopefully sooner rather than later), we'll all be getting out in the garden again and there will be even more to blog about. So there should be no shortage of thoughts that can be put into words and photos, right?!

Evidence that I'm now an MG Intern! It will still be another YEAR until I'm an official Master Gardener;-) It's a lot of work!

Finally...
Please send me gentle reminders if you notice that I have taken more than two weeks off in the future, ok?!
Thanks! And Happy 2012 to you and yours;-) I hope it's one of the best blogging years yet.

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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T15:21:00.001-05:00

Today I'm thankful for the flowers that continue to bloom in my mid-November garden:

(*click on photos to enlarge)

...and in the containers, a few colorful blooms also remain:

Yesterday was Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. Despite a yard full of leaves covering just about every inch of garden space, I wanted to share the few colorful blooms that managed to survive our recent bizarre temperature fluctuations and unusual precipitation in the form of frost, snow and rain, interspersed with temps between the 30's and 70's on any given day.

Now, here is what my gardens REALLY look like right now:

It isn't much to look at, is it?! The leaves continue to fall--and the trees are still mostly full(!) The oaks won't lose their leaves much later...so I will probably not clean up the yard until mid-to-late winter. The leaves serve as a protective cover for the perennials and I like the way the landscape looks when the snow falls on my perennials, so I probably won't cut them back until later, as well. There are a few winter bloomers, such as Hellebore, that I will uncover a bit later, to be sure not to miss those pretty blooms. Everything else can just wait.

Oops, this turned out to be a more 'Wordy' Wednesday than I'd planned...oh well...;-)

Here's wishing you a wonderful week!

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Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T13:26:00.001-04:00

Today I am thankful for a beautifully sunny day in November

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Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T15:32:00.001-04:00

Well maybe just ~~one~~ two words: Toad Lily

The Toad Lily is also known by its Botanical name, Tricyrtis. This particular hybrid is 'Sinonome'...a cross between T. hirta and T. formosana. This is the first year with it in my garden, and I love it. Ok, so I couldn't be completely wordless. Happy Wednesday;-)

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