Wordless Wednesday: Spike Winter Hazel Blooms Unfurl
Spike Winter Hazel, Corylopsis spicata
Spike Winter Hazel, Corylopsis spicata
Spike Winter Hazel, Corylopsis spicata
Happy Birthday, Mr. Barnaby!
We are celebrating Mr. Barnaby's second birthday tonight. He's grown so quickly from the 10 pound puppy we adopted that had survived a near deadly bout of Parvo, to a handsome 175 pound gentleman.
Run, Barnaby, run!
He's almost dignified in his goofy manner. Mr. Barnaby is my constant companion. Lap warmer, hole digger, garden assistant, and lets not mention his fridge opening ways. I'm so grateful to my friend Linda and her crew at Companion Pet Clinic for bringing him into my life.
My life and garden would be incomplete without Mr. Barnaby. Don't you agree?
An Early Spring
Sunny sixty degree days have coaxed my Star Magnolia, Magnolia stellata, to bloom a full month early.
The variegated daphne planted around the trunk are filled with blooms and the front garden smells positively gaudy. Pedestrians slow to take in the intoxicating fragrance as it wafts down the driveway towards them. And I smile, ablaze with Spring Fever.
Oh Barnaby!
Barnaby, what are you eating?
Gulp! Nothing.
Death in My Garden
A dead ladybug at rest in a young hardy geranium leaf.
Death is a resident in every garden. And as a life long gardener, I've learned to accept the stink and slime of it. But, that doesn't make it any easier when I lose a prized plant.
I usually mutter a few choice curses, grab a shovel and move the dearly departed plant to my compost heap. Then, I go inside and put a big X through the tag in my garden book and make a few notes. But, this time I took a few shots to share with you, so we can curse together before I go get my shovel.
My Schefflera taiwaniana 'Yuan Shan' has given up and died. Sigh.
Schefflera taiwaniana 'Yuan Shan' in October 2013
It was meant to be a focal point in my front bed by the house. The plant tipped to the side and I didn't notice. So, it developed a canker from the stem touching the compost. I propped it back up, but it was too late for the plant to recover. It pains me to see all those lovely wavy pinnate leaves on the ground. I'll miss it.
Schefflera taiwaniana 'Yuan Shan' in October 2013
Fortunately, Tsugawa's Nursery carries a nice line of Hardy Scheffleras, so I won't be without one for long. I'm going to pick up a couple more this spring and make sure to stake them and keep the compost level low around the stems. I don't want to lose another one.
Plant death in my garden teaches me valuable lessons and makes room for new plants. It's also a powerful reminder to keep a closer eye on my plants. My garden is waking up early this year and its already time to start my morning strolls through the garden to check for problems like slugs. Ugh…I hate slugs.
So, have you lost any plants lately?