Look who Jon saw on his morning walkabout.  Not one, but two Luna Moths!!!  On the golf cart tire!!!

 

If you put your thumbs and your index fingers together to make an oval, that's how big they are!!!  And such a gorgeous green.

 

We always feel privileged to see them.  If these two are doing what we think, we will be seeing more Luna Moths in the future.   I hope you get to see one (or more)  in your travels.  

 

KEEP LOOKING!!!

Sorry that today's picture didn't post.  I usually check them every day to be sure, but this morning I was hell bent on planting my cherry tomatoes and eggplants.  I forgot to double check the picture for the blog.  

 

Thanks for reading.  ;]

 

The Honeysuckle is blooming!!!  It smells so sweet.  My nose locates it, before I can even see it.  

 

I pick a few flowers and put them in my water bottle.  They flavor the water just a bit, and I love it!!

 

These vines will absolutely take over your garden, if left unchecked.  But you can let a little go, and have this sweet smell all summer long.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Couldn't help myself...we had to take one more picture.  This is our beautiful Cinnamon Fern, fully open.  Go down to the creek, and see it for yourself.  

 

I wanted you to see how tall it is.  I'm 5 feet, and it's almost as tall as I am.  Isn't it gorgeous?!?

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We participated in the Wednesday work party.  It was a party to paint the picnic tables and the bridge down at the pavilion.  Lots of volunteers showed up, so some of us broke away from painting and did a little planting.  We moved around some daylilies, and planted a few shrubs:  mountain laurel and spirea.  We also put daffodils in with the daylilies, hoping that the deer will leave them alone.

 

This is my friend, Patty.  She and I are the ones who paint and repaint the haybale.  She's a good sport;  and, as you can see, is willing to do just about anything.  Here, she is planting a spirea that Nancy dug out of her yard.  Nancy also dug up a whole bunch of daffodils;  she brought down about 75 bulbs.  Speaking of good sports:  she contributed all those daffodils from her garden!!!

 

It was a very successful work party.  You should join us next time.  We have fun meeting and working with our neighbors.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

WOW!!!  Talk about pollen!!!

 

This Hickory tree is at the entrance to the park.  Look at the size of those catkins, and all that pollen!!!!  I bet they are 8 inches long.  And there are hundreds of them.  Interesting looking, though.  Don't you think?

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look at this beautiful tree.  Its name is Chionanthus virginicus, and is commonly known as Fringe-Tree.  This one lives in the parking lot of the Methodist Church in Blairsville.  

 

We saw a wild one blooming when we were walking in the park, so we doubled back to the church parking lot.  I knew there was one there, planted near the visitor entrance.  I wanted to get close enough to smell it:  it is lovely!!  I also wanted to take its picture for you to see.

 

I've seen them planted in shopping center parking lots, and even utilized in roadside plantings.  So, they must be available in garden centers.  

 

There are a bunch on Ft Eustis Blvd in Yorktown, VA.  Those are probably blooming now too.  I wish I could go see them.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look what Jon found on the side of the road yesterday.  Chicken of the Woods!!!

 

We cut off some, brought it home, and spent a lot of time cleaning it.

 

It is edible when cooked, so I cooked it thoroughly until the juices reabsorbed.  I was inspired to make Chicken pot pie, so Jon made me a crust and I got started about 2:30:  chopping, cooking, assembling.  So exciting!!

 

We had our Chicken pot pie last night for supper, and we are both still alive and feeling fine today.  I really like this mushroom.  Glad the season has started.

 

ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT!!!

 

Have you seen the Mountain Laurels blooming?  WOW!!!  

 

Kalmia latifolia, another name I remember from Horticulture School.  We all know what they look like at 45 mph, but have you ever looked at them up close?  The buds are little pillows of air, waiting to pop open.  And each little open flower has spurs on the back, little pointy bumps, making them quite textural.  Is that even a word?  Anyway, get up close, and look at them;  they are quite unique.

 

There are lots down on the Creekside Trail, within reach for photos, or close examination.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

It's time to start looking for Korean Dogwoods, Cornus kousa.  

 

They are just starting to bloom.  The flowers sit right on top of the leaves, making them so easy to recognize, even at 25 mph.  There are a couple on Five Forks Drive just past the first big curve.  Look on the left, and you can see them.

 

I'm so glad our neighbors planted them years ago;  because now we ALL get to enjoy them.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!