In July, I wrote about the Sumacs blooming.  I have read about four similar kinds of Sumac in our area.  I only wrote about three of them.  And I promised to show you a picture of the fourth one, the Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina.

 

See why it's called Staghorn?  The branches, twigs, and blossoms are hairy, and resemble the velvet of deer antlers.  

 

I've been looking since July for one that was in a safe enough place to take its picture.  They are blooming all around, but none safe enough to say, "Hey!!!!  There's one, let's stop and take a picture!"  So this picture is from the Internet.

 

I wanted you to see it, so you can identify it when you're out and about.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Remember Roxanne and Jim's beautiful pink Clematis?  It bloomed last April.  You can check out the article in the archives, or scroll down to April 28th.

 

Another Clematis is blooming all over the place, right now.  It is Clematis virginiana, commonly called Virgin's bower.  It is a common vine, and very noticeable, once you start noticing it.  It has masses of creamy white flowers, and climbs over shrubs and fences.  You can see it all along the roadways; there's some by the little bridge on Moccasin Church Road.  

 

The picture above was taken in Blairsville, behind the Napa store.  I've been seeing this Clematis for years, adorning a chain link fence.  I love when it blooms!!

 

Watch for it on your next trip out.  You can even spot it at 45 miles an hour.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look around, you can see this "weed" growing everywhere.  And they're blooming right now.

 

Botanically, it is Eutrochium purpureum, and is in the sunflower family.  Its common name is Joe Pye Weed, or Queen of the Meadow, Gravel Root, Kidney Root, and Purple Boneset.

 

Joe Pye Weed was used to treat a variety of ailments, as some of the common names suggest.  In the 18th century Native Indians used it in the treatment of kidney stones and other urinary tract ailments.  And folklore says that American colonists used it to treat typhus outbreaks.

 

Let's steer clear of the medicinal uses for Joe Pye Weed; and just enjoy its beauty in the meadows.  That's my plan.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

My friend gave me this Night-blooming Cereus plant several years ago.  It was just a cutting, stuck in a pot then.  

 

Cereus are members of the cactus family, and not native here.  As you can see, the plant is a little gangly, not real pretty.  This picture is two years old.  Since then, it has lived outside summers and falls, and over-wintered in the basement.  It's a lot worse looking now.  But I've kept it alive because I knew what was coming...eventually. 

 

Well, this year it set 3 flower buds, and last night at 10 o'clock 2 of them BLOOMED!!!  Each flower was about 9 inches across!!!    I think I took about 30 pictures, and this one is the best.  I wish you could have been here to see the real thing.

 

 

Magnificent!!!  Worth all the inside, outside, repotting, pruning, and waiting.  Each blossom only lasts one night, then it's  finished.  You really have to keep watching, so you don't miss the big event.  

 

There is one more blossom looking like she might open tonight.  So exciting!!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

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If you've been walking lately, early in the morning, you've probably noticed a strong, sweet smell in the air.  The Sourwood is blooming, and it is very fragrant.  

 

When you smell it, look up, and you'll probably see this.  

 

Botanically, it is known as Oxydendrum arboreum.   It grows up to 60 feet.  And is prevalent in our woods.  

 

In the fall, it is easily recognizable because the leaves turn kinda pink, and the seed pods are white.  Beautiful!!

 

Plant identification is one of my passions.  Hope you enjoy it too.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've seen these everywhere.  And they are all over our neighborhood.  

 

Devil's walking stick is the common name, and if you get up close, you'll see why it's called that.  The trunk is covered in nasty spines.  It's not poisonous, just physically nasty.

 

Not edible, but interesting.  And prevalent.  Thought you'd like to know.  

 

Look for them on your walks, and notice how they change with the season.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

These are Heirloom cucumbers from our garden.  This is one day's harvest.  

 

Last year we grew these great cucumbers, and I saved some seeds.  This year I planted the seeds, and now WE HAVE CUCUMBERS!!!!  

 

They grow on a 6 foot tall fence inside the garden.  That helps them stay long and straight.  We've actually measured some at 22 inches!!!  That's a lot of cucumber.  

 

We have a good recipe for gazpacho made with cucumbers.  I'll post it in the recipe section.  And today, my friend told me that you can cook them on the grill, salt and peppered and wrapped in foil.  MMMMM. Gotta try that.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

When I saw this coming up in our yard, I pointed it out, and asked Jon not to mow it.  He didn't and it bloomed!!!

 

It is Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare.  It grows all over roadsides, pastures, and waste places.  The seeds travel like dandelion seeds.  You know, like fairies on the breeze.  I'm sure that's how they got here, because we are neither a roadside, pasture, nor a waste place.

 

We see butterflies come for the nectar, and birds coming to eat the seeds.  Thistle is a favorite food for finches.  You probably buy it to fill your bird feeders.  Well, this is where those seeds come from:  Thistle.

 

I think it's pretty.  Our friends from Kansas call it a noxious WEED.  Each to his own.  I like it.  So do our birds.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Have you seen all the Sumac blooming?  This hedge is on the curve above Al's house, on Stonebriar.  There's also a beautiful copse of Sumac on the right as you approach the mailboxes.  

 

I have lots of field guides, and plant books, but I'm still not clear on whether this is Winged Sumac, Rhus copallina, or Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra.  Winged Sumac has hairy twigs, and Smooth Sumac has smooth twigs.  As you can see, I didn't get close enough to see hairy or smooth.  They share the same geographical range, similar flowers and fruit.  I'm guessing Smooth Sumac, but since I'm not positive, I'm just going to identify it as SUMAC, Rhus spp.  

 

I do know that it's not Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina, that one has red flower clusters.  I'll post a picture when I get one.  I also know it's not Poison Sumac, Rhus vernix, that one has white berries, and is very uncommon.  It grows in wooded swamps.  Not likely to go there, but we've all heard of it.  

 

Just thought you'd like to know the Sumac part.  I love seeing them this time of year;  they're so pretty.  In the fall they will have reddish-brown velvety clusters of berries, equally pretty!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a Brandywine pink tomato. Almost two pounds!!! We planted seeds last March, and this is our reward!!!

 

The tomatoes are doing great this year.  We've already canned some.  Last year we canned none!!!

 

Hey, Linda!!!  That means:  Salsa!!!

 

Stay tuned for more bragging from the garden.  ;)~

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!