Underway

The appearance of a wild bee on a crocus flower speaks more about the arrival of Spring than any number on a calendar.  The protective cage is required to block our herd of deer from eating these beautiful blossoms.  Recently thirteen deer were seen taking their evening meal near these plants.

Purple Bee Balm was planted behind the bench  in our new shade garden last year.  That location gets generous amounts of sunshine each morning.  We selected that spot near the bench since Bee Balm flowers attract Hummingbird Moths.  Human presence does not bother these hovering insects so when the flowers appear we will be able to sit on our bench while surrounded by feeding moths.

This plant native to a far away continent was also intentionally planted here last year.  Using a more natural approach we simply scattered mature seed heads on the surface of the ground.  That method was clearly successful but flowers may be one year away.  Native plants hold most of the ground here but these very early bright yellow flowers simply could not be denied.

Early Meadow Rue occurs naturally across the valley.  Plants come in either male or female form.  Becky knows the difference and that impressed the operator of a nearby native plant business.  We purchased both genders but have yet to see the second plant.  Our experience with these plants is limited to May visits so we have no way of knowing if the cluster of new growth will open as flowers or leaves.  Leaves might be what appears here next.

Jacob's Ladder is an impressive plant.  This one may be large enough to divide now but we will most likely buy another plant or two.  Strong winds filled with large raindrops sent us up the hill before all of the desired pictures were taken.  Rain now will only improve the size of the new growth.  We will return when pictures are possible without getting the camera wet.  It just feels like our gardening habits will take us outside.  Becky pointed out small Catnip plants that are sized for successful transplantation.  That may well be the first work done outside tomorrow weather permitting.

Inside By 9

An intolerance of heat is increasing in severity as the years pass.  We tried to get in some garden work early in the day, but dry and dizzy quickly sent me inside.  We are fortunate in that the high temperature forecast for today has been lowered by three degrees to a mere 90.  That is within a degree of yesterday's high and we survived that so today looks like another inside the house day.

My large potted Cardinal Flowers needed weeding.  We intend for these plants to take the place of early spring potted plants.  Each of these will come out of winter with up to six daughter plants growing around the long dead stem of this year's flowering plant.  Planting out multiple young plants should increase the display next year.  I will also be spared carrying in four heavy trays of potted plants when frost threatens.  These twelve pots will likely require six trips to the basement.

A red flower can be seen growing close to the stone wall. Bee Balm is another native plant.  In his writings about the scarcity of Cardinal Flower, John Burroughs suggested the substitution of Bee Balm for a red flowering garden plant.  Its red is a great looking one and the plant spreads invasively.  That said, I do not know why I continue to try and reintroduce Cardinal Flower into the wild and carry it over in the gardens.  Bee Balm would require much less work and both the hummingbirds and hummingbird moths freely feed from its flowers.

Keeping these potted plants free of weeds has allowed me to see things never seen before.  At the end of the growing season, new plants are present around the old stem.  Perhaps these new plants are already up and growing.  Not every pot shows this early growth so we intend to watch and learn.  This pot contains two stems that will flower this year because the choice was not to pull them apart when they were transferred to pots early this spring.

Some time ago the discovery of deer footprints close by and a nipped off stem did not make me happy.  While weeding here today, the footprint was obvious but the cut stem could not be found.  Unable to fiercely trust the accuracy of my memory, I could not find the deer damage but remained shakily sure that it was present.  Becky quickly found it under the three new stems growing close to the damaged stem.  I have seen pictures of the results of pruning Cardinal Flower.  Knee high plants densely  covered with brilliant red flowers left a lasting impression.  Reluctant to prune a native treasure, tall thin natural displays are all that grow here.  This year that pesky fawn will allow me to see first hand the results of pruning Cardinal Flower.

This is the dry stone wall that lines the curved ramp to the basement.  Snakes are sometimes seen both inside of the wall and outside on level ground.  A garter snake and I have had numerous recent encounters.  This morning we found its shed skin and once again wondered just how the serpents use our stones to rub off their old skin.  This snake is already larger than most seen here.  Can't wait to see the larger version dressed in bright new skin.