Here’s another neat plant we saw in the park.  I had never seen it before, so I used the Seek app.

 

This is what I learned from Seek:  Sedum ternatum is the most widespread native Sedum species in eastern North America, commonly known as woodland stonecrop.  It has white flowers, blooming April to May.  This shade-tolerant species is often found in the forest understory, although it can also grow in sunnier locations when sufficient moisture is present.  Its common name of “stonecrop” evokes its ability to thrive atop boulders, where its succulent leaves help it to retain moisture in shallow soil.

 

That’s pretty cool, huh?  We all learned something new.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We noticed last week that the Fringe trees are starting to bloom.  The ones in the park are way up high.  But I always look for them when we are on our walk.  

 

Since we knew that they are blooming, we took a spin through the Methodist Church parking lot to see theirs.  There are two on either side of the entrance to the church, and they are low enough to see and smell.  

 

I just wanted to let you know, in case there are some near you.  I always loved seeing the ones on Fort Eustis Boulevard in Yorktown.  It’s time to take a little trip to see them in bloom.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I already knew that this is Carolina Sweetshrub, but I thought it would be fun to show you how the Seek app works.

 

All you have to do is load the free app on your phone, and then when you want to identify a species of mammal, plant, fungi, insect, and lots more, you point your phone at it, and Seek will tell you what you’re looking at.

 

It doesn’t always know, but from what I’ve experienced, it is pretty accurate.  

 

Try it;  Seek is created by the iNaturalist team.  iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.  It’s fun, and it’s free.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

As we were walking out into the garden yesterday, I noticed something brown on the fence.  I thought it was a big brown leaf, so I brushed it off the fence.  It started moving!!!!  It was two Polyphemus moths.  One was old, and a bit the worse for wear, and then there was this one:  perfect!!!  

 

I took their pictures, and when we were done for the day, I looked them up.  Actually, I loaded the picture onto my iPad, then put the Seek app on it and this is what I learned:

 

Its real name is Antheraea polyphemus, a member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. It is a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 15 cm (6 in.) The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hind wings.  The eyespots give it its name - from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus.  The species is widespread in continental North America…

 

I will tell you this:  it took my breath away.  Thought you’d like to see it too.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I hope you got to see the Kwanzan Cherry Tree in bloom.  Because this is how it looks now.

 

See all the blossoms underneath it?  Here yesterday, gone today.  

 

Don’t worry if you missed it.  It will bloom again next year;  and the cool thing about trees is that they don’t move.  They will be in the same spot next year.  

 

Hope you are having a happy spring.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Early in March I sowed seeds for lots of things, and basil was one of them.  A couple weeks ago, I separated the seedlings into 6-packs,  And look how much they’ve grown.  

 

Who needs this much basil?  Everybody!  I will plant some in the garden near the tomatoes, because it enhances the flavor of the tomatoes.  And I will plant several into a big pot that I will put near the front door.  That way we can just step outside and get snips of basil for everything.  We had a pot on the porch last summer, and it was GREAT!!!  

 

And if there are any leftover, I’m sure I can find a home for them.

 

They have a way to go before transplanting, but I thought you’d like to see their progress from seeds to plants.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The trilliums are starting to bloom in the park and in our yard.

 

This one is at the park; its name is Trillium cuneatum, and is called Little Sweet Betsy.  It is also called Toad Shade, but I thought you’d like the Betsy reference today.

 

I hope you get to see some trilliums in your travels.  You probably won’t see them traveling by car, but you might see them on a walk in the woods or in the park.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETSY!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Flame azaleas are native to Appalachia, from New York to Alabama.  And they are blooming all over our neighborhood.  

 

Just look up and around and you will spot them bringing splashes of color to the forest.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

A few years ago, Karen dug up and divided her iris bed.  She gave me a bucket full of iris corms.

 

Iris are planted shallowly, practically on top of the ground.  They don’t like their roots buried.  So I placed them in my wild garden, which is fenced so the deer can’t get to anything.

 

This is the first time they have bloomed.  They are gorgeous, and they smell divine.  If I were to choose any iris from a catalog, this is the one I would pick.  I love it!!!  Thanks, Karen.

 

Momma planted iris behind the garage, and they always bloomed around my birthday.  One year on my birthday, she brought me a vase full of iris to Sunnybrook.  It made me so happy then, and the memory still makes me happy.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Here is another gorgeous cherry tree.  This one is ornamental, Prunus serrulata, Kwanzan.  

 

Ornamental cherry trees are beautiful when they bloom, but they bear no fruit.  The Kwanzan cherry has double pink flowers, and bronze leaves.  This is a typical silhouette for Kwanzan cherry.

 

There are several at Meeks Park, near the parking lot, and they are blooming now.  It is worth the trip to Blairsville to see these gorgeous trees.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!