Karen brought up a good subject for our blog!!!  Deer, and what they eat.  More specifically, what they won't eat.

 

The first time I heard my sister speak of "the damn deer" I was shocked.  How could you not LOVE seeing deer in your yard?        Now I get it.  They eat everything!!!

 

They really like corn, and lots of people put out corn for the deer.  Once you've trained them to come to your yard looking for food, they seem to think that everything in your yard is there for them to eat.  But it is so tempting to see them up close, that we (or our neighbors) take the chance.

 

There are some plants that deer like less than others, but no plant is deer proof!

 

Here is a great list of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and flowers, rated as to their resistance to deer.  I thought I could just tell you some good things to plant, but this list will let you decide whatever YOU like.  It's a fascinating list of plants; some we've never heard of, but many that do well here in NC.

 

Go to Rutgers University list of deer resistant plants and look for plants you like.  They are rated A B C D as to deer resistance.  The first group lists the most resistant plants, followed by less resistance, and the last group lists plants that the deer have already wiped out in our neighborhood.  

 

Now, I'm going to go take a picture of deer in our yard.  Jon's been feeding them corn since it got so cold.  Then I'm going to go back and find something to plant to replace everything in my yard.  :\\

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

 

 

There is a facebook group called the Murphy Mouth (Link to the Murphy Mounth) that often has amusing and useful comments on it. This morn there was another report of a screaming women sound coming from around the Glen Stalcup/Martins Creek area. That just over the hill from us. This not the first time there has been a report of a sound like this in our area. To add to that, a couple weeks ago, we had a footprint on our deck that looked exactly like a bobcats. Naturally that video camera was not on at the time  so I cant prove what the critter was. :/  We always seem to have something running around on our deck such as raccoons, opossums, or an occasional human leaving incredible tasting gingersnap donuts. 

 

Now, many have said they seen mountain lions in the area. That may still be possible but much less likely. From some research I did both the bobcat and mountain lion can make that screaming women noise. The bobcat is still a sizable animal so it could be mistaken as it runs away. So now I am watching the trail camera a little closer to see if we can get lucky and spot this one.

 

Here is some information to help you decide if one has visited you.

Here is what the local variety looks like..

 

The foot print I saw looked just like this and had the right size.

Now the sound they are hearing probably is like this... 

 

When you listen to a mountain lion scream it is very similar.

 

The other odd thing is that we have had a bunch of cats visiting our carport and I do see them on the video. They always sniff the one wall so I know they have been decorating our place as they stop by : One was a large tabby with no tail. Another a black and white cat. The one we see the most is a large Maine Coon and he could easily look like a bobcat but still way smaller. 

 

So watch your pets when they are outside. I understand the bobcats have attitude unlike our bear buddies who simply want to each our bird feeders and wander off.

 

 

Rosebay and Catawba rhododendron are native rhododendrons. These are at Meeks Park in Blairsville.  Native Rhodies are common all along the Blue Ridge Parkway and into the Great Smoky Mountains.  They grow all along our roads, sometimes creating dense thickets.  

 

Rosebay blooms white, and the Catawba blooms pink.  We'll have to wait til they bloom to see which ones these are.  The peak blooming time is usually June and July, and you can see they have already set their flower buds for next year's event.  These leaves look great right now, but they react to freezing weather by bending downward, and rolling into tight coils.  Some of the older locals claim to be able to tell the temperature by looking at the angle of the rhododendron leaves.  Be sure to look at them when it gets really cold, it's interesting!!  

 

There are a lot of cultivated rhododendron, and they usually bloom in May,  around Mother's Day.  There are hundreds of beautiful ones planted at the Fair Grounds in Hiawassee, GA.  We love to go there when they are in bloom:  it's spectacular!!  You can also see wildflowers in bloom about the same time as the rhododendron.  We've seen Jack in the pulpit, trilliums, Mayapple and snowdrops in those gardens.

 

Gosh, it's pretty early to be dreaming of spring;  it's only the first day of winter!!!  Can't help it.

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!

 

 

 

I finally figured out a way to keep the deer from eating my pansies and parsley.  I stuck the dried Echinacea seed heads into the pots.  Since then, nobody has bothered my plantings.  I guess they don't like getting their noses poked by the prickly seed heads.  

 

Whatever it takes, right?

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Winter is a tough time to be blogging about gardening.  I'm really searching for interesting subjects, cause I love writing everyday. But it's not that easy.  So keep checking back, even though I may skip a day or two now and then.  Right now I'm thinking about evergreens, those symbols of everlasting life.

 

Leyland Cypress is a hybrid of two Pacific Coast species, Monterey Cypress and Alaska Cedar.  Its botanical name is expressed:  X Cupressocyparis leylandii.  It was introduced to North Carolina in the mid 1970s, and became an instant hit with nurserymen and homeowners.  They still enjoy huge popularity, especially as living fences.

 

Once established, Leyland Cypress can grow three feet a year, making them great for privacy screening.  It is suggested that when planting them for hedges, you plant them 3 - 5 feet apart.  Since they can grow up to 50 feet tall and 12 feet wide, it's best to plant them where they can spread out.

 

There are many examples of Leyland Cypress in our area.  Some are specimen trees, standing alone; and some are beautiful hedges.  Best to plant Leylands in full sun, and 10 feet off the road.  They are great trees when given the conditions and space they need to grow.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Now here's a beautiful evergreen!!  You may know it as Southern Magnolia or Magnolia grandiflora.  No grand flowers this time of year, but look at those gorgeous, shiny green leaves.  I have pictures from Colonial Williamsburg of fabulous Christmas wreaths made using magnolia leaves.  They provide such a great foundation.

 

Magnolias can be found along the east coast up to Delaware and down to Florida, and west to Mississippi and Louisiana.  They don't do well in colder climates;  the leaves get windburned, and turn brown.  But they grow well in maritime forests, and apparently here in the mountains.  

 

Magnolias grow to be huge pyramid shaped trees, up to 120 feet tall and 40 feet wide!!  They really need lots of room to grow.  Given space, Magnolias make breathtaking specimens.  You can see giant magnolias on big college campuses and  southern plantations, where they can really spread out and provide shade year-round.

 

They bloom in late spring, with 10 inch, citronella scented white flowers.  And the seed pods that follow are interesting too, with red berries nestled in the furry, cone like pod.  Birds and squirrels will eat the berries;  but the best use for them, I think, is decorative.  They're really festive looking.

 

The particular tree that I photographed is fairly young, so it has no seed pods yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing blossoms on it this spring.  I'll get back to you.

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

 

 

I hope this isn't too late!!  I know you know most of this already, but I would like to share a little about Christmas tree care, and while we're at it a little Christmas tree lore.

 

I recently read that a fresh cut tree can drink up to a gallon of water in the first 24 hours.  Good reason to recut an inch off the bottom, and fill that tree stand to the top.  And be sure to check it every day.  The tree can drink a quart more each day.  Some people add stuff to the water, like sugar, aspirin, Sprite.  Not sure if any of that works to bubble the water up the trunk;  the main thing is the WATER.  

 

Some interesting Christmas tree lore: 

Nearly all ancient cultures had myths about the sun disappearing at the winter solstice, so they hung gifts to the gods on evergreen tree branches hoping to appease the gods and bring back the sun.

We use evergreen trees to symbolize immortality and everlasting life, mistletoe to bring peace and happiness, and holly for protection and good luck.  

 

We love hanging ornaments on our evergreen tree, not to appease the gods or bring back the sun,  but because they are pretty and bring back fond memories of Christmases past.  

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

 

 

 

 

My friend sent us Paperwhite bulbs this Thanksgiving, and I was so excited, I planted them immediately.  

 

The directions said they would bloom in 4 - 6 weeks.  Well, I must have the perfect conditions in my house, because it's only been three weeks, and here they are!!!  Who knew that 60° inside could be perfect for ANY living thing, but.....

 

Paperwhites are in the genus Narcissus, the same as daffodils,  Narcissus tazetta papyraceus.  They are sold commercially in late fall, to be forced, for fragrant indoor winter blooms.  Betty waits until January to plant hers, bringing sweet flowers inside in midwinter.  I've never grown them before, so I didn't think to save them til midwinter. 

 

That's ok, the directions also said that I can plant the bulbs outside after they finish blooming.  They need full sun in order for the leaves to make food for the bulbs.  I have the perfect spot all ready when the ground thaws in spring, right next to my Rain lilies.  They bloom at different times, but like the same conditions. 

 

They all make me smile and think of my friends, the Bridges.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I hope you don't mind, I'm having fun with the snow pictures!

 

This is the dogwood tree at the end of Pete and Nancy's driveway.  I noticed last week that it had already dropped all its leaves, AND set flower buds for spring.

 

Look how pretty it was in the snow.  

 

I used to think that winter wouldn't be pretty: no flowers, no leaves, no color.  How WRONG I was.  There is beauty everywhere!!  Flowers (in the bud stage) leaves waiting to pop out in the spring, and colors that are different than other times of the year.  Just look around.  

 

HAPPY WINTER!!

 

Speaking of fun snow pix.  This is the burning bush at Mark and Karen's.  

 

A couple weeks ago it was screaming hot, and bright red; and now look at it in the snow.  What a great branch structure.  It will be pretty all winter.  I love how it has been allowed to grow naturally, since it has plenty of room to spread out.  

 

I hope you got to enjoy the snow; it was BEAUTIFUL!!

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!