March Heat Wave

It was wonderful to work outside in the summerlike temperatures today.  This cluster of Jacob's Ladder has been in the shade garden near the house for many years.  If we soon find a new spot for some of the younger plants, a move would be in order.  This has proven to be a hardy and beautiful native plant.

This Winter Aconite is not native here but its early bright yellow flowers lift our spirits.  This plant has self seeded in the lawn and its open flower is ahead of others previously planted in the gardens.

Snow Drops are another nonnative plant that simply had to be set out in our shade garden near the road.  Placed just inside of the path defining stones we have a pure white line of open flowers when little else has even made an appearance at this time.

 This is our small patch of native Arbutus that were growing here when we bought the land more than a quarter of a century ago.  Some years we could find sweet flowers while the plant seemed to have disappeared many other years.  This patch taught us that wild animals feed on this evergreen plant and protection is in order.  Chewed to the ground several times somehow these plants regrew.  Now a wire cage keeps them safe.

Three days ago we discovered the remains of a deer quite close to the house.  Coyotes have harvested our deer in the past but never before this close to the house.  We did make a close inspection of the various body parts scattered about.  White hair under the chin suggested that this was an old deer.  We expected that we would have to clean up the less desirable body parts scattered about but left the site just as we found it.  That night Becky heard unusual noises outside of the bedroom window.  She carefully opened a window just a crack and listened to what sounded like conversation between the coyotes.  The following morning we went out with tools and buckets expecting to clean up the less appealing body parts.  The only objects remaining were the tufts of hair pictured above.  A well chewed nearly clean section including backbone and the rib cage had been dragged away from the house.  We expect a return visit tonight with another meal taken.  It is likely that we will not be able to find any body parts tomorrow.  We have found fresh kills before and always have quickly left the area.  One amazing event that we did witness this time was two of the dead deer's companions feeding quite close to the remains.  It would appear that wild animals see death as a normal component of life. 

It is not uncommon for our first Deer Tick encounter to occur in March.  Our recent experience was uncommon in that the tick was not found on our body.  It was seen leisurely swimming across the toilet bowl water.  Go figure. 

Look Who's Back

Yesterday, it took almost all morning for the chilly fog to burn off.  Fun outdoor time seemed far off, but  after lunch Ed and I just had to go outside.  He used most his time to play in the mud, snow and water in the driveway and to inspect his Trailing arbutus.  I wanted to see if any of my plants were coming up. Wintergreen and  Partridgeberry are showing in this photo.  It is too soon to remove those oak leaves but     I 'm curious to see under there. 

 

 

These bulbs have been nibbled on and some bulbs have been pulled out of the ground.   I 'm pretty sure they are snow drops.  I am thrilled to see them again but not so delighted to see them uprooted.  When this bed softens I will replant  them.  Considering the voles we have had this year any bulbs that survive are a plus!

The tiny, fragile, pale green leaves in this picture are baby red columbine plants.  I love these as do the hummingbirds. 

This plant is a native.  It has small yellow flowers and blooms at a time when a little yellow color in a native plant garden is welcome.  I wish I could tell you its name, but right now it has slipped my tongue and my brain.  I am still thrilled that it is back!  This afternoon when Ed and I were on a bluebird house mouse eviction mission, more snow had melted.  I found the tag for this plant.  It is Golden Ragwort, Pakera aurea.  I bought it from the Fernery.

These are my fragrant lady's tresses.  This plant comes up early and blooms late.  It is wonderful to see this plant again.  Today perhaps the most exciting return of all to the garden is the bluebirds.  I watched them this morning checking out the bluebird houses and sitting on fence posts in the garden.  Watching bluebirds always makes me happy!

 

Snowdrops And A Bluebird

Ed and I went in search of a nice clump of Snowdrops to dig up for a friend.  No gardener who lives in New York State where we do should be without these cheery little flowers that bloom  even when the ground is still partly frozen.
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Actually we both knew where to look for our quarry, but the trip was filled with obstacles.  We slogged through some snow, climbed over a number of fallen branches and tried to avoid stepping in innumerable patches of deer scat.  We found exactly what we wanted although Ed found that the ground was still frozen under the leaves.  Three clumps were lifted. Countless Snowdrops remain in that location.  One clump will be left on my friend's doorstep.  The others will be planted in  Moss Island where they can be more easily seen.

The biggest excitement of the day was when both Ed and I spotted a bluebird perched on the top branch of the Smokebush.  This time it was not wishful thinking.  The first verified bluebird siting of 2020 goes down on March 10th.  The flash of blue seen when the bird flew up to the roof of the house was unmistakable. This view of the garden shows the Smokebush but no Bluebird and no Snowdrops.  It also makes it clear why I get so excited by the return of my treasured flowers and birds.

A Promise Of Spring

Perhaps we are experiencing a genuine January thaw since the driveway has softened.  If snow precedes cold weather's return we will be plowing gravel.  Finding flower buds is a much more pleasant experience than worrying about snow removal.  Pinxter is a native plant that forms its flower buds prior to the onset of winter.  This picture also includes spent brown colored seed hulls from last year.  Just what advantage is realized by carrying flower buds exposed to the entire winter remains completely unknown here.  It is simply one of the marvels of plants.

This picture of the same bush was taken last June.  Look carefully and you will find the same stones in both pictures.  Both the sight and remembered scent of these flowers is something worth waiting for.  If these buds can survive winter so can we.

Despite the century old belief that Arbutus cannot be successfully transplanted, this recently moved plant is thriving.  Its white flower buds at this time of year serve an easily understood purpose.  Early appearing flowers need a head start.  Their perfume defies description and is well worth waiting for.  Chewed leaves show that evergreen leaves serve as a food source when little green remains.

Yesterday remaining snow cover kept these Snow Drop's early growth hidden.  Moved here last season, they were expected to survive the move.  They are not native to North America but their early white flowers will be welcome here.  Those red Sumac seed berries paint quite a picture.  We will be weeding out buckets of new trees.

Daffodils are not native here either but no garden would be complete without them.  A friend buys a big bag of these bulbs each year and plants them in her woods.  She now has a huge display of bright flowers on land that really serves no other gardening purpose.  As these photos show, Spring is definitely coming here reasonably soon.

Snow Is Going

It seems that snow has covered the ground continuously here for far too many weeks.  Those of us that have lived in the Southern Tier of New York State for even a short period of time know that some snow will return but its time with us will be brief.  Today is special because we are able to see evergreen plants or new growth for the first time this year.  These Arbutus plants were transplanted so long ago that they could now pass for a natural occurrence of a native plant.  Of course, the wire covering cage that keeps the hungry rabbits from eating these tasty green leaves tells another story.

Early flowers form their buds at the end of the previous years growth cycle.  That these buds spent the winter under the snow never ceases to amaze me.  Very soon we will bury our faces close to the ground to drink in the incredibly sweet fragrance of these flowers.

Snowdrops are native to the area that includes Iran.  Their first white flowers boost the spirits so we have knowingly included then along the edge of our native plants garden.  These flowers will likely be open tomorrow.  Seeds will follow and very soon this area will be thick with  new plants.  These bulbs were moved here just last Fall.
 

Growing the elusive native plant Cardinal Flower has been a passion for us for years.  A goal is to have these plants reproduce naturally from seed with no help from us.  These new plants are tucked under a west facing stone wall.  Heat stored in the stones may help these plants escape death from late frosts.  Foxglove still locked in ice may also offer protection as it grows in front of the wall.  We shall see.

Many other perennial plants are showing early signs of life.  These next few relatively warm days shall prove exciting.  We will be outdoors breathing in fresh air while moving about to see what new growth has pushed above the recently frozen ground.  It is becoming safe to walk on ice free ground so there is no telling just how far we will roam tomorrow.

Moving Snowdrops

Early April provides us with our first flowers.  Yellow Aconites are backed by Snowdrops in our oval shade garden near the house and under the locust tree.  This day was cold as is shown by the tightly closed buds.  Reproduction is the natural purpose of all flowers and these will not waste their pollen by opening on a day too cold for active pollinators to be out and about.  Perhaps the air warmed later in the day teasing these buds to open.

The long curved brown stems are what remains of the structure that supported the Locust leaves.  At first they were seen as an ugly intrusion but now they are treasured.  This garden is exposed to strong winds that would otherwise blow away all of the fallen leaves.  Natural woodland soil results from leaves rotting where they fell so we need these leaves to stay in place.  The messy brown stems hold the leaves and both will soon disappear under new green plant growth.  These early Spring bulbs had no trouble pushing their flowers and leaves above the litter.  The remains of Cardinal Flower seed pods fill the left foreground.

It is perhaps a little late to be planting bulbs but this day featured only a light but persistent drizzle so outside work was at least possible.  A sizable patch of snowdrops hold their own next to the memorial bench overlooking a favorite fishing spot in the Unadilla River.  Bulbs dug yesterday will not be missed when those left behind  flower.  Some open ground will likely be appreciated by the crowd that remains.

Indentations between the stones that mark the edge of the path seemed like a perfect place for snowdrops.  We try to plant native plants here but who could deny European beauties this perfect place to grow?  The small mower recently chopped a fair sized pile of newly fallen imported leaves as the gas was run out of the machine to prepare it for winter storage.  These were spread to cover the bare ground after the bulbs were planted.  Natural mulch will both build proper soil here and discourage the growth of nasty weeds.

A close look at the picture will reveal the tools frequently used for this type of work here.  Age makes it necessary to gently support weak knees on a thick forgiving foam pad.  The old dishpan held the freshly dug bulbs and will soon be filled with chopped leaves.  It also moved a bit of man made woodland soil from its nearby pile.  Also a three tined hand spade is visible between the right knee and elbow.

Despite the lateness of the move, we expect to see several clusters of bright green leaves and pure white flowers soon after spring snow melt.

Changeable March

Our outside work on the first day of this month seems to have awakened in us a need to garden now.  We ventured outside in response to incredibly clear blue skies and blindingly bright sunshine.  Knowing that skies that clear only occur here when our air is fresh from the North Pole, we were expecting cold air.  It did not disappoint.  Gloved hands quickly began to ache and we soon retreated back inside the house.

Our inside plants suffer from less than perfect care.  Somehow days slip by and attention to basic issues is missed.  This rosemary has managed to stay with us for years.  Its twisted growth habit was the reason it was purchased.  Unusual traits and weaker plants seem to go hand in hand.  We were expecting this specimen to be nearing its final hours.  New growth was appearing so it seemed right to give this plant some help.  Dead wood was cut away and it now looks like this one may live to see another year outside.

Three small heel cuttings were taken.  We use juice bottles with the bottoms cut away to cover the cutting.  That keeps the air around the cutting moist.  Water in the saucer prevents the soil from going dry.  At this time of year cuttings usually die as the basement is chilly.  These early cuttings were moved upstairs into relative warmth.  My need to plant something today was satisfied.

The winter aconites finally pushed their flowers into the air.  In response to an overnight air temperature of zero, the flowers remain tightly closed.  One must marvel at the toughness of these plants.

Nearby snowdrops also have their flower buds closed in the cold air.  We will see their beautiful white flowers later this week as warmer temperatures are in the forecast.

These bluets self seeded in the top of the shade garden wall.  Our transplants were set in the adjacent soil and they prospered for a few years.  Bluets need moist soil and their former location was excessively dry.  Only the moisture captured by the stones keeps these plants alive.  We plan to move two of these plants to a better location soon.  It appears that one of these plants is not like the others.  Some bluets plants are male while others are female.  We will move the two plants at either end of the row in an attempt to get both genders and viable seed.  Their new location will include a nearness to water grabbing stones.  These plants are among Becky's favorites so I really need then to survive under my care.

First Order

This is the time of year when we begin to feel trapped inside by winter. We are therefore easy marks for garden catalogs.  Our resistance is up this year as no plants have been ordered yet.  That situation will soon change since we do have new ground ready for plants.

These new pots were ordered with a specific use in mind.  Every spring some Cardinal Flower plants are potted up so that they can be moved indoors when late frosts threaten.  The process has always started with a frantic search in our mountain of used pots.  This year will be different.  Two trays holding a total of thirty new pots stand ready.  That is a slight exaggeration since our order was one pot short.  A previously used pot filled the open spot.

We have never placed thirty Cardinal Flower plants in pots.  There is no plan in place for that many new plants.  Two different wild locations are under consideration to see if we can establish nongarden stands of this native plant.  There was a price break on fifty pots so some control was in place.

The vacuum formed trays are as flimsy as expected so we will use two trays nested.  They will still likely break as we move them but doubled up they may not dump their load.  These trays do show a design improvement.  An earlier order for similar trays were short on engineering savvy.  Individual pots fit snugly into the square receptacles but there was no room at the top for the adjacent pot.  Since the trays are useless they really need to find the trash.

Snowdrops were planted alongside of the memorial bench that marks the final resting place of Becky's parents.  This location may be perfect for the snowdrops.  Left alone, they now cover several large areas.  On a recent walk here, I was disturbed to find a good sized clump fully exposed.  Even the yellow and white parts of the stems could be seen.  Nearly all of these plants grew from seed that simply dropped onto the surface of the ground.  How those seeds develop underground parts suitably deep in the soil remains a mystery.  I am not the first to raise this question.  John Burroughs observed that Trout Lilies will not form flowers until the bulb is more than six inches below the soil surface.  He found the process that each year moved these bulbs ever deeper mysterious.

Our weather has been somewhat bizarre.  Recent days have seen temperatures that remained near or above freezing overnight.  Even exposed ground remains frozen and I am looking for some modest snowfall and slightly lower temperatures.  It was surprising to find that seventy-two year old gloved hands quickly begin to ache on what was seen as a beautiful January day.

Spring Sneak Preview

Forget the groundhog.  No one can predict the weather this year!  This morning we had heavy rain.  It might not be spring , but it will do until spring comes along.  This afternoon I walked about to visit some of my plant friends.  This is Cardinal flower  coming back in front of Ed's wall down by the road.

I hope this a pink foxglove.  If it is white I will not really be disappointed.  Familiar green leaves are so nice to see!

This is a chrysanthemum that seeded on top of Ed's stone wall.  Exposed like that, I didn't think this little plant had a chance.  So far it is showing me!  One tiny stem has become two since I first noticed it in the fall.

No snow to peek  through doesn't stop the snow drops.  I thought about bringing the little bulb on the surface in the house to force.  More likely I will go out tomorrow and  push it into the empty space next to the others.

The front half of the ice plant  turned brown and dry where it was growing over the stone path.  The back half over the soil changed to red.  This plant is new to me, but I like all the green I see coming up under it all.

Many plants here die back to ground level here.  It is always great to see them growing again and this Sedum sieboldi is one of my favorite old friends.  I know it is still February but for me spring was here at least for today!

April's First Flowers

What a pleasure to see snow drops open in the sunlight.  I even noticed a couple of honey bees buzzing around. I suppose these little white and green flowers could be considered boring by some, but to me they are hardy and brave and one of the most beautiful flowers ever.

They will stay open under that amazing blue sky until the sun goes down and the temperature cools. Then they will close their blossoms  and wait to open again in the light and warmth. After all, there is no point in leaving your sensitive parts uncovered when they are no pollinators around to appreciate them.

Here are some of my Dutch iris piercing a thick mullein leaf to  reach the sunlight.  I spent part of this nice sunny day clearing away debris  from these .  Ed got me a cage to protect them from the deer.

There is not much that burns my cork more than waiting all winter for these lovely little beauties and then having them nipped in the bud by some hungry deer
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Here on April 6, we have my very first Dutch iris bloom of 2014.  There will be many more, but this one is the first! Usually I get to enjoy these flowers in March.  In 2012 a post very much like this one with a lot less whining was posted on March 13.  Perhaps all this  breathless anticipation has made me appreciate them even more!

The Pure Delight of Early Spring Bulbs

These are the snow drops that came up in the leaves around my tree peony.  Their flowers are open in spite of the fact that the foliage  is still yellowed from the lack of sunlight.  I think in time the leaves and stems will be their normal green, but the flowers have no time to wait.  If the weather stays warm, their chance to bloom will be short.

The bees are just as delighted as I am to see these beautiful little Dutch Iris flowers.  Many years they bloom in the snow.  They thrive in cool weather.  Even if these early  temperatures in the sixties  shorten their bloom time, their exquisite beauty lifts my spirits.

With  the deer frequently visiting here, wire cages give these little flowers a measure of protection against being eaten or trampled.  The system is not foolproof.  Small rabbits or squirrels can easily pass through the wire mesh. I look forward to tomorrow  in the garden confident there will be even more of these perfect little flowers making an appearance. 

Spring Fever 60 and Rising

With the snow melting, I was unbelievably excited to get outside with the camera today. I know my photography teacher would say this is a picture of dirt and so it is, but isn't it gorgeous? The plant in the center is one of Ed's beloved cardinal flowers. In spite of being inside a cage it has been trimmed level to the ground. Now who do you suppose did that?

The trumpet vine has a firm grip on this weathered locust fence post.

Can you believe the number of spruce tips scattered on the ground by the squirrels? I wonder just exactly how unhappy I am about this? They are cute and funny for a rodent, but have they crossed the line into unwanted varmint status?

Ahhh! Here we have more dirt, a catnip that needs pulling, emerging bulbs and perhaps some Siberian squill from seed!

Just yesterday snow had these plants covered and flattened. My salad burnett and this Johnny jump up flower are well pressed. One has to wonder if that flower was there last fall and got pressed to the ground by the snow, like the flowers Mom used to press in the dictionary.

The snow drops and tulips don't let the tree peony leaves stop them from growing. They just pierce the leaves and head upward. Rose campion had a great winter here. There are way too many of them at the top of this picture.

Never before have I seen fringed polygala leaves in the spring. Last summer Ed moved this plant from the back woods to the shade garden. It had always been May before I even looked for them. Located in my front yard, they will now receive daily scrutiny. The dark green leaves with purple underneath make me see how this plant once was called flowering wintergreen. It is too soon to declare the transplant a success but these new leaves are certainly encouraging.

This picture of lichens, moss , stones and oak leaves is no doubt a result of my reading Wiseacre's blog. In the past I might have ignored these things completely, but now I have to stop and get a picture. I didn't want to stop, but the camera insisted on a battery charge. Well fine then, even more snow will be gone tomorrow!