Here is another great conifer we saw in Yorktown:  Cryptomeria japonica.  You can also call it Japanese red-cedar if you like that better.  Personally, I think Cryptomeria is a cool name;  it means hidden parts.  

 

These trees are about 30 feet tall, and create a nice sound barrier between the houses and the road.  I have read that they can grow as tall as 200 feet with a 13 foot trunk diameter.  Wow!!!

 

There is a neat article in Wikipedia that talks about fossil records, timber uses, and other interesting facts about the trees.  Let me see if I can attach the link...

 

 

OK.  Go there to learn more.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

Look who we saw growing in the Abelia hedge:  Creeping cucumber, or if you prefer the botanical name:  Melothria pendula.  It is native to our area, the southeast region of the United States, and it is fast-spreading and potentially weedy.  Yep, this one was creeping throughout the Abelia hedge, looking a bit weedy.

 

That's ok, I thought it was kinda cool, looking like little watermelons.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at this gorgeous hedge.  It surrounds the pond and fountain at my favorite place in Yorktown, Virginia.  We have always called these:  Bumblebee bushes, but their real name is:  Glossy Abelia or Abelia chinensis.

 

Abelia is a great shrub, and it grows well here in the mountains.  I've seen it planted at Nelson Tractor in Blairsville, and I have read that as long as it continues to make new growth during the summer, it will continue to flower.  This variety of Abelia is one of the most cold-resistant of the Abelias.  

 

Sounds like a great bush to plant near my garden, attracting bees and butterflies.  Oh, did I tell you that it has a glorious fragrance?  No wonder the bumblers love it.  I do too.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!! 

 

I think this is a Japanese black pine.  Yep, I just looked it up and it certainly is:  Pinus thunbergii.  It is a native to coastal areas of Japan and South Korea.  This one is in Virginia Beach, just outside Bubba's Seafood Restaurant on Shore Drive, near the Lesner Bridge.  (Best crab cakes in town.)

 

Anyway, I just love the short stiff needles, and the compact growth habit of this tree.  I thought you'd like it too.

 

 

HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL!!!

 

As I was entering the cemetery I noticed this beautiful old holly tree.  It has yellow berries.  I love it.  So after I visited with Momma and Daddy I went back and took this picture.  Here is another view of it:

 

 

Pretty, huh?

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

Walking on the pier here in Virginia Beach.  This is my world for the next few days.  I thought you might like to see what I am seeing.

 

Life is good all over, not just in the mountains.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!!

 

While we were out, we rode through the Home Depot parking lot, and our favorite trees are showing fall color.  There are about 6 or 7 groups of these trees throughout the parking lot.  They are some of the first to change, making me smile.  

 

I hope you are seeing some fall color wherever you are.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!! 

 

OK,  I know you've seen this bush before, Euonymus americanus, but this picture shows you a bunch of different stages of the fruit.  In the center you can see one closed up still, and farther back are open pods.  See the bright red berries?  

 

It is called Strawberry bush, or "hearts a-bustin' with love."  I bet you remember it now.  

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

We went for a walk in the park on Thursday, and Jon took a little bag of peanuts to give to the squirrels.  We saw lots of squirrels, and at the end of our walk, we saw Momma groundhog come out onto this big rock.  So Jon threw her a peanut.  See her on the left eating it?  Well, two youngsters came out of their hidey hole, and of course he had to give them some too.  There were four of the little freeloaders, and Momma wasn't giving up any of her peanuts.  

 

It was fun to watch them for a few minutes.  They were so dainty in their manner.  

 

 

HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL!!!

 

Here is my little dogwood tree, showing a bit of fall color.  Every little bit is nice.  

 

Looking for more!!!

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!