http://statebystategardening.com/va/blog_01_summary/ en starlight1957@gmail.com Copyright 2013 2013-04-25T02:18:30+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/cercis_canadensis_-_eastern_redbud/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/cercis_canadensis_-_eastern_redbud/   I had seen the colors often in earlier springs...driving along, every now and then, a brilliant pop of purple would catch my attention. What is that tree, I would find myself thinking?     I have drooled over the Eastern Redbud for years. Every spring, it makes itself known by brilliant purple buds, highlighted by reddish heart-shaped leaves, left over from the preceding fall and winter.   Below, it is nothing but a bare stick-like twig.  On the lower right (below) is my smallest Redbud. I planted it in March (before the snow made the landscape white). I got it at a native plant nursery, and was happy that it was reasonably priced and that I could 'handle' digging a hole for this smaller size seedling.     This little twig-like seedling gave a couple of blooms this spring...not much to look at, really--but, I'm just happy it had any blooms at all. Pinkish purple is such a cheery color:     Anyway...back to my dreaming. I wanted more of a 'splash of color'. I wanted to wake up and see it in my own yard...not just on a walk or a drive.     So, I added a 'just a little larger one', after the small seedling. Nothing so big I couldn't dig a hole for it. It wasn't blooming and it still wasn't 'much', but it was a Redbud, so I was happy. Here's the 2nd of my Redbuds in bloom, recently:     And again, below:     Anyway, despite seeing the lovely purple blooms of my two small redbuds, I couldn't help myself last week and I just decided to 'bite the bullet', so to speak, at a local privately owned nursery. I had been 'spying on' their larger Redbuds and plotting where I would put one in my front yard--for at least two months.     I had just the spot. I ordered the tree, paid, and was told it could be up to two weeks before they could deliver and plant it. But before I got home that afternoon, the guys were in my front yard digging a hole in the area I had marked!       It might look small in the photo, but when you compare it to the seedlings I planted in the backyard, you can understand why it had to be put on a truck and delivered...and planted, by some strong burly guys   Remember the seedling in the backyard (below)?     This newest addition is quite a few years older and there really is no comparison when it comes to bud development. I needed to see the color and I needed to see a lot of it! And I got what I was looking for     I love how it hangs on to its leaves from the previous season...so beautiful!     The new, spring heart-shaped leaves are almost just as lovely, in their green attire:            So now, my front yard has a little highlight, from this newest tree. Even though it isn't huge, it's got something interesting to offer. I am sure each spring it will be more and more exciting to wait for the pops of purple it will offer up!       Between March and April I went from no Redbuds to three Redbuds! Of course, my 'favorite' one is the biggest one because it offers the most buds and therefore the most color.          But I have high hopes for my two backyard seedlings/trees. In a few years, they will also add a big splash of spring color to the backyard garden. I just didn't want to have to wait         Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud) can grow up to 30 feet tall. It is generally an 'understory' tree, however, and will fit in well with all of the oaks, tulip poplars, and other much taller trees in my front and back yards. Its green, heartshaped leaves turn red in fall and since it is considered deciduous, the red leaves that do stay on add a little color through the winter.  After 2 or 3 weeks of flowering, leaves appear and the flowers drop. It produces flat reddish-brown pods that will remain on the tree until after leaf fall and some will even persist throughout winter. *I have not experienced the complete leafing-out phase or the fruiting phase. I'll show more photos when that happens! The pods will look like beans hanging down from the tree!   Apparently, the flowers of the tree can be put into salads or fried and eaten! I have been way too busy enjoying them to bother with harvesting and eating them. But perhaps when all three trees are blooming, I'll become more willing to experiment!   As for the wildlife value of native Redbud, I read that cardinals, ring-necked pheasants, bob-whites and rose-breasted grosbeaks enjoy feeding on the seeds. (White-tailed deer and gray squirrels have also been observed feeding on the seeds--I have plenty of both and that's no surprise. What DON'T they eat?!?!). Also, the Redbud flowers can help and contribute to the production of honey by bees. Overall, I love this tree.   I've joined Clay and Limestone's "Wildflower Wednesday" with other bloggers who are sharing natives and wildflowers that they love. Be sure to visit!   What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.     Birds, Native Plants, Pollinators, Wildlife and Critters, Woodland Garden 2013-04-25T01:18:30+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/more_new_natives_for_my_gardens/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/more_new_natives_for_my_gardens/   I drove up to Alexandria on Saturday to visit a native plant nursery. Since they weren't just yet open for the season, I had made an appointment in advance. I was the only customer and had the undivided attention of Randee, the manager of Nature-By-Design. I had spoken with him a few days earlier asking if he had any Spigelia. I have just one plant that I got from Carolyn's Shade Gardens during a visit a couple of years ago. I liked it so much that I wanted to add a few more. When Randee said he had what I was looking for, I asked about Claytonia. He said yes. Then I asked about Cercis...I've wanted a nice Eastern Redbud for a while. He had that, too. So it was a no-brainer--off I went with money in hand!   2 Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)   It's often been my experience that native's are not 'cheap'! They can put a 'dent' in your pocketbook because they aren't always readily available on the market. But I've been working on creating a native backyard habitat for some time now and there a few shrubs, small trees and plants that I've been hoping to get--sooner, rather than later--so I just 'bit the bullet', so to speak.    2 Ilex verticillata, 1 male & 1 female (American Winterberry)  Although nothing is really 'beautiful' when not in bloom, I'm happy with my purchases.   Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea)  You'll notice, from the photos, that I came back with much more than I originally went up for. Isn't that always the case? Whether it's the grocery store or the garden center...who leaves with just a couple of items?!  I'll admit I've done it on occasion--but not usually.     Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pink Azalea) You might look at some of these photos and wonder why I'm so excited. It's because I know they are native to my area of Virginia. And, because I know that when they are in bloom they are going to be gorgeous!!   2 Dryopteris marginalis (Woodfern) They will provide the native birds, bees and butterflies with the pollen, nectar and/or berries that they crave, and they will generally adapt to the soil conditions and climate of my yard, because they are naturally meant to be here.   8 Spigelia marilandica (Woodland Pinkroot), 2 Eupatorium purpureum (Sweet Joe Pye Weed), 3 Erythronium albidum (White Trout Lily) That's not to say that they are 'guaranteed' to grow. Oh, if only that were the case, my yard would be a native jungle by now!     The Trout Lily has some above-ground foliage No, it's not any 'simpler' to start natives in a suburban backyard than to start any other plant. But it's a wise choice because once they are embedded in the soil and landscape, they will require less water and generally less effort than many non-natives.   2 Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) They will put up with the ups-and-downs that this climate throws at them, unlike, say, a plant that thrives in mainly tropical climates or one that likes the desert conditions only. Yes, sometimes it feels like the tropics here--and sometimes it feels like the desert, deep in July. But it's zone 7A...and the natives I'm spending my money on are comfortable here. It's their home.   Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass) I mentioned earlier that there were no blooms just yet...but the Green and Gold (below) has blooms already because Randee had been growing them in the greenhouse and then put them out in the sun. In our current and (expected to continue) blast of cold weather, the flowers and perhaps even the foliage, will die--but that won't kill the plants themselves. I have other Green and Gold's that haven't yet emerged from the ground so these are just a little ahead of schedule but I'm sure they'll be okay.   Viola canadensis (White Violet), Viola sororia (Blue Violet), Viola striata (Striped Violet), Chrysogonum virginianum (Green and Gold)   Sadly (!) I have to make another trip to the nursery to exchange 3 Spigelia for 3 Claytonia. During the visit, we forgot to put the Spring Beauties aside!! I have never had those in my garden and I really want them...so sometime this week or next weekend I'll make a visit to swap out the plants. I will try to fight the temptation to buy more natives while I'm there. I've done enough damage for this month!   Since today is Tuesday, I am almost a week late to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday (held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Clay and Limestone) but I'm going to link to her meme because I'm trying to participate every month this year and don't want 'a little week' to interfere with my good intentions! Thanks for having this every month, Gail!   What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Native Plants, Perennials, Shrubs 2013-03-04T23:39:55+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/garden_blogger_bloom_day_february_2013/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/garden_blogger_bloom_day_february_2013/         Every month on the 15th I shake my head and say 'already?' Yes, it's already time, once again, for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at May Dreams Gardens. *(In fact, it's past time, now, as I'm getting this post published a day late). While I don't have tons of flowers in bloom, I have to say there are quite a few more than were available for January's bloom day post.       Hellebores are still in bud and bloom. Some still look very similar to photos from last month, while others have opened and continue to do so. I will probably have Hellebores in my blog posts in March and April, perhaps even beyond that.   H. x ballardiae "Pink Frost", a little less direct sunlight in this photo   Helleborus x nigercors (Winter Rose) HCG "Green Corsican"     H. hybridus         Helleborus niger 'Jacob' (blooming since November and still producing buds and blooms)     H. hybridus "Red Lady"   Several varieties of Galanthus are scattered throughout the yard, all opening at various times through the winter and early spring--so they will continue to pop up when I least expect it. There are 'Giant Snowdrops', 'Common Snowdrops' and some that truly look like miniatures that are only now beginning to show the teensiest sign of a bud.   Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)     G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop)     G. elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)   Here is the only Scilla that began to pop out a tiny blue blossom a couple of days ago--so it shouldn't be too long until the whole flower begins to unfold. I planted a few more of them last year...     ...also known as Squill     Crocus 'Romance' surprised me yesterday afternoon in one area of the garden, although like the Scilla, there is only one that showed its pretty head. The rest are all still in hiding.     And this one particular Hyacinth has been pushing out a bud for over a week and there is the faintest hint of blue.   Hyacinth (blue) Golden Groundsel has evergreen foliage, generally in the heart-shaped leaf form. However, when it gets ready to form buds, they develop in longer, toothier-edged leaves. The buds start out reddish-purple, as they are right now (below):   Senecio aureus aka Packera aureus (Golden Groundsel, a native groundcover) Last year, Golden Groundsel's buds looked like this in mid-March:     Golden Groundsel March, 2012   Later in the spring, they will turn bright yellow and look like an entirely different plant. Pretty cool! Here is a photo from last spring, the end of April:   Native Packera aureas (Golden Groundsel), April 28, 2012 Lastly...I found this mushroom/fungi growing on the edge of a small treestump in the yard. I thought it could be considered a 'bloom' so I'm including it       Narcissus have yet to flower in my yard, but foliage has been up for some time. I seem to have some late blooming daffodils...I guess I need to add some earlier bloomers.   I've been noticing all the Monarda foliage spreading throughout an area of the side garden. Maybe it will put on a good show this year, as I don't remember having so much of it in past years.  See all the squirrel holes (or deer tracks?)...they are all over the gardens.   Native Monarda didyma (Beebalm) foliage Be sure to stop over at Carol's May Dream's Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in mid-February.   What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Bulbs, Perennials 2013-02-15T23:22:29+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/hellebores_beginning_to_show_their_colors/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/hellebores_beginning_to_show_their_colors/   Wow! So we went from the 20's last week to a high today of 72°, with temps dropping tomorrow to the 30's by Friday. So glad I could be in the garden this afternoon! Look what I found?! Helleborus 'Phoenix' was opened!   Helleborus 'Phoenix'   I cut back the old, tattered foliage on all the hellebores so I could see the new buds and flowers more closely. Some are already opening, others are looking very ready--   Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost'   Helleborus nigercors 'Green Corsican'     Still others, just starting to form buds.   Hellebore 'Gold Finch' (will have pinkish spots when fully opened!)   The H. niger has been blooming since November and buds and flowers from all stages continue to hang on...a very interesting hellebore.   Hellebore 'Niger' (flowers from November, December and January are still hanging on)   Even now, this same hellebore variety continues to form new buds   Opening bud of H. niger   Now that I've cut off the old foliage the buds will be more exposed to the cold weather that is headed here again in the next few days...but hellebores are tough plants and will withstand just about whatever comes there way. (Except overly soggy, wet conditions--with lack of drainage. In those cases, they might begin to rot and not do well). Hellebores are native to Europe...so no, they are NOT native to North America. However, they are wonderful shade tolerant plants and who could complain about buds and blooms in winter and early spring? They are definitely not invasive thugs so they are going to stay in my garden!     Helleborus 'Ashwood Doubles'   Helleborus 'Red Lady'   Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'   H. 'Ivory Prince'   I have quite a few of the H. hybridus. They are in various stages of development, with some being prolific bloomers and others just tiny seedlings. H. hybridus (also called H. orientalis) self-seeds pretty well and I've been able to transplant the seedlings to various areas of the gardens over the past couple of years.     Helleborus orientalis or H. hybridus   And for the finale, Galanthus elwesii, AKA 'Giant Snowdrop'. Isn't it cute?   Galanthus elwesii   For being 'giant', it is still really a small plant. This year, it's 3rd year in the garden, it has 3 flowers. In a few years, it should produce many more blooms. Galanthus are not native to North America, either. They are native to Europe. But they are in no danger of invading my garden so they get to stay, too.       What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Perennials 2013-01-30T19:56:36+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/january_2013_garden_bloggers_bloom_day/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/january_2013_garden_bloggers_bloom_day/   It's a chilly, rainy day here in northern Virginia, and there isn't much blooming in the garden on this January 15th. But since it is, after all, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I made a short trek around the garden with my camera to see what's in bloom. Although none of my native plants are in bloom just yet, there are a few lovely blooms, nonetheless.   Snowdrops (Galanthus) are in bloom.  They are so very tiny and delicate, I had to bend way down to get these shots.  If I didn't make a special effort to look for them, I would almost certainly miss them.           Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) has been in bloom since November. If you look at the photos, you can see the blooms that are faded and look more tattered than the newer, whiter ones.        A few other Hellebores have buds that are pretty far along and will be in full bloom soon.           Sweet Allysum has been flowering since I put it in a container arrangement last summer. It isn't something I plant often, but I was happy to see it continuing to bloom. For an annual, that's pretty cool, I think.         While not blooms, per se, the bright red berries on the Dwarf Nandina add a cheeriness to the garden.       Indoors, the Amaryllis (below) is holding on to the last stalk of 3, each stalk having had 3 blooms each.         To view more photos of blooms around the world on this day in January, visit Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens.       What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Bulbs, Perennials, Shrubs 2013-01-15T19:37:42+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/should_i_stay_or_should_i_go_coming_to_terms_with_aster_yellows_disease/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/should_i_stay_or_should_i_go_coming_to_terms_with_aster_yellows_disease/   Darling you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine I'll be here til the end of time So you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go?--The Clash, 1981   I really didn't want to have to talk about this. It's not something I've been looking forward to. But I had to reach out for help before it's too late and I'm 'taken out'. Literally.     *If my Echinacea could talk, this is what it would be saying right now!   I am a Coneflower. Echinacea purpurea, to be exact. I am a magnet for pollinators!         Over the last several years the head master gardener here, Jan, has come to realize the importance of native plants and began adding me and my pals to the gardens.       Here in Just-Be Gardens, I am mostly true-to-the-native-form (but a couple of my friends are cultivars, such as E. 'Pink Double Delight', above.)       Along the way, my head master gardener was intrigued by some of the new cultivars and brought home several, such as E. 'Pixie Meadowbright', E. 'Kim's Knee High', E. 'Magnus', E. 'Cocunut Lime'--but many of them did not return the following year.     That has been 'OK' with Jan, because she learned that pollinators have a lot of difficulty entering those fluffy, frilly cultivars and that in many cases, they are sterile and don't produce much pollen to begin with. And being sterile means they produce no seeds to reproduce themselves or most especially, to feed the birds such as goldfinches, that are looking to snack on their seedheads...such as these Rudbeckia--Black Eyed Susan's--provide in a different area of Jan's garden:       But I will say, strictly speaking as a coneflower, E. 'Pink Double Delight' has been a highlight of my time in Just-Be Gardens. She has come back year after year and even though she's got 'frills', she's always covered with my insect friends.     It's not that it isn't okay to have some of the cultivars of Echinacea, if you like them...just be sure you also provide some natives so my pollinator friends can actually get some substantial sustenance like pollen and seeds!     At any rate, there's a big problem lately here in Just-Be Gardens, and the head master gardener seems to think the only way to solve it is to rip us out.     We all seem to be plagued by a new 'oddity' that has never entered these gardens before. Jan has tried to ignore it, claiming to 'accept' us with our flaws and not judge only by outward appearances.     After talking to some other gardeners and doing some research, however, my Echinacea friends and I are afraid she has come to the haltingly grim conclusion that we have got to go!  (We wondered what she's been doing this past year in her Master Gardener classes...and now we're not so sure we're happy with some of her new-found knowledge)!     We really don't look THAT ugly, do we? What harm can come from letting us stay, I ask you?     It seems that we've got something called Aster Yellows. It's a disease caused by an organism called a phytoplasma--similar to a virus or bacteria.     The phytoplasma is sucked up by leafhoppers, which feed on us and then pass it from plant to plant.       Perhaps you've seen something like the white substance on the hosta shoot, below? Ever wonder what that was? It's not a disease...it's leafhoppers! Leafhoppers don't really hurt the hosta...so they can just be hosed off, wiped off, or allowed to stay, if you're ok with their visiting.     But leafhoppers carry the phytoplasma organism from this damaging Aster Yellows disease to many other plants, particularly Echinacea...but also to Rudbeckia, along with hundred of other kinds of plants in a variety of families.     I have to agree with the head master gardener here, it would be sad if our disease was transmitted to her other plants, which would not only make them look deformed, but continue the cycle even further.     If we aren't yanked pulled up out of the ground and thrown in the garbage disposed of, we won't necessarily die this year, but next year when we produce our flowers they will likely still have the disease, and it might even be worse than what we have now.     So, I guess this is goodbye from all most of us Echinacea at Just-Be Gardens:( The head master gardener has said she won't rip out any of us that aren't showing signs of the disease, but will be keeping a close eye on us and the first time she spots it again, out the next ones will go, too. This isn't something to fool around with and Jan is right to throw us out bury us. But she has said she is going to continue to grow us, because she loves us.   Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love, I guess. Such is life in the real world, and in the gardening world.   Since native plants are important to me and included in the subject of this post, I've added it to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday meme at her Clay and Limestone blog.   Until next time,   Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.   Native Plants, Perennials, Pollinators 2012-07-05T13:50:09+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/garden_bloggers_bloom_day_june_2012/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/garden_bloggers_bloom_day_june_2012/   Color is everywhere in my gardens. Here's a sampling of 'what's blooming' for June's Garden Blogger's Bloom Day:   Front Gardens:   Top Left to Right, clockwise: Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), Blazing Star (Liatris)--with Butterfly Weed, and BeeBalm (Monarda)       L-R, clockwise: Indian Blanket Flower 'Mesa Yellow' (Gaillardia) with Dianthus, Hydrangea, Veronica 'Royal Candles', pink Guara     There are at least 6 huge patches of Balloon Flower in the garden this year     Russian Sage with Butterfly Weed interspersed with the red blooms of Salvia greggi Veronica 'Icicle' and 'Red Fox'       More Coneflowers getting ready to bloom         Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) *Just brought this home from a plant sale at our Master Gardener's Teaching Garden                       This Coneflower looks diseased or damaged; not sure what is wrong with it!   Front Porch:   Geraniums that I over-wintered from last year...in a cardboard box in the garage. They have come back nicely!     Back Gardens:   Asiatic Lilies:           Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica)   Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) Hydrangeas with insect visitors:         Astilbe   Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)   Side Garden near garage:   Blackeyed Susan, Beebalm and the red bloom (center) of Coral Bells (Heuchera) 'Rave On'     Daylilies and Carpet Roses   Daylily  Other Plants Blooming in Various Areas of the Gardens:   Japanese Aster going strong *from my friend Janet 'The Queen of Seaford'... Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) 'Major Wheeler' Spiderwort (Tradescantia) 'Sweet Kate'   Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) 'John Clayton'   Celandine Poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum) are still producing blooms!   Rosa Rugosa   Agastache 'Blue Boa' (new this year).  Carpet Roses red, and pink:       Salvia   Lavender Spurge (Euphorbia) 'Ascot Rainbow'   False Spirea       Aaron's Beard (St John's Wort)     Green and Gold       Many of the Hostas are now blooming (I would like to feature them in a future post). Brazillian Verbena, Phlox, Catmint and even a Brunnera is blooming. Several water garden plants in my stream are also blooming. I have various containers with flowers such as petunias and impatience. And I want to show you what I did with some Succulents in containers and 'Watering Cans' that I punched holes in the bottoms and planted:                           We are off to Maine to visit relatives all next week. I hope my garden survives while I'm gone;-)     If you'd like to see more blooms from around the globe, stop by Carol's May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.   What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time, Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Perennials, Succulents 2012-06-16T19:46:07+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/march_blooms_way_ahead_of_schedule/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/march_blooms_way_ahead_of_schedule/   As others in various parts of the country have been noticing, this was the winter that wasn't. At least where I live it wasn't was;~}  Many of my plants are at least 2 weeks ahead this year. Others seem more like months ahead...     Dicentra, Brunnera and Pulmonaria did not bloom until April last year...but not this year!    Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart) Dicentra spectabilis 'alba'   Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Buglose) Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' (Lungwort) I have barely been able to keep up with the blooms that pop daily out of the ground and begin to show off their colors. Every day I walk through the garden and take photos--and without fail, the very next day, there is something new. Sometimes it all happens within the same day: I'll go for a garden walk in the morning, and again in the afternoon--and there is frequently something new that has emerged or opened up within a span of a few hours. It's overwhelming at times, very surprising, and wonderful!     Mertensia surprised me about a week ago...   Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)   ...and Hepatica has been blooming for at least a week and a half--again, weeks before last year as shown in my March 23, 2011 post.             Hepatica acutiloba 'f. rosea'   Hepatica nobilis 'v. acuta' (white)   Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort) pink This has been the best March I can ever remember! (Of course, February was pretty good, too. Plants were surprising me then, as well). It's just that this month, some of the plants that have opened don't usually bloom until later on in the spring. So it sometimes feels as if I've hit the jackpot when I do a walk-through! Look at my Bloom Day post from mid-March, 2011. There wasn't much blooming last year! This year things are definitely different.     The Kerria opened on the 15th--my post on Kerria from a year ago showed it opening the last week of the month (about the 27th).           Kerria japonica   Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) started blooming in January, which is normal...but many Helleborus hybrids were blooming in February, and by early March, all were blooming. (Except for those gnawed off by squirrels. Luckily I have found a way to keep them at bay and have been spraying with Bobbex regularly. It seems to be working!).     Decided to beat the squirrels and pick off a few blooms before they could get to them!                                           Buds are ready to pop on the native Rue Anemone:     Anemonella thalictroides (Rue anemone) In fact, on one of them, they already have:       Just planted Fritillaria bulbs (in January--very late!) so this is the first I've had one coming into bloom in my garden. I don't know if it's early or not, but I'm happy I 'Bobbexed' it before the critters could get to it:   Fritillaria meleagris  (Checkered Daffodil, aka Snakes Head)   Lots of Heuchera are up and have small blooms already (such as Heuchera 'Georgia Peach', and others). Heucherella is also blooming in my garden:     Heucherella 'Day Glow Pink' (Coral Bells and Tiarella combo)   As are the Tiarella...many are leafing out and sending out blooms:   Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower)   The Arabis has taken off, as has the Creeping Phlox (both lining the driveway):   Left: Arabis 'Snow Cap' (Rock Cress) and Right: Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)   Iberis sempervirens 'Purity' (Candytuft) Euphoria 'Blackbird' with blooms opening:   Euphorbia 'Blackbird'   Blooming for a couple of weeks, with plants opening at various times, are Hyacinth:   Hyacinths...Blue and Pink  (Surprisingly few of the pink varieties have bloomed at this point... but that's ok, since the blues are my faves)   ...and of course, Narcissus.  While some daffodils bloomed early and are finished, others are still in full bloom, with yet my newest varieties just now popping their foliage through the soil. I'll upload the newer ones when they start to bloom, but those that have been in bloom and are currently blooming are:   2 unidentified Narcissus varieties, with Hyancith      Narcissus--unidentified smaller bloom, many have still not flowered yet.     Narcissus 'Jetfire'  Pieris 'Valley Valentine' has really increased her blossoms since my last post:         Hydrangea is really budding out...   Hydrangea is really filling out The Trillium haven't bloomed yet but are above ground, fairly early;  I just hope I can stay ahead of the squirrels with the 'Bobbex'.  So far, so good:     Trillium recurvatum (Bloody Butchar)   Trillium luteum (Yellow Wakerobin)   More T. recurvatum 'Red Trillium'   Trillium pusillum (Dwarf Wakerobin)   I was surprised over a week ago when Polemonium began to bloom...   Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder) It just gets more lovely each day:     I just planted light blue Muscari (in January, when I planted other bulbs) and they are coming up nicely:     Muscari 'Valerie finnis' (light blue)     3 crocus varieties have been blooming for a couple of weeks:   Crocus 'Blue/White Striped'   Crocus 'Romance'   Crocus 'Ruby Giant'   Many Iris reticulata are still blooming--but I think they are about finished:       I was really surprised to see Golden Groundsel already in bud...it was not this early last year (I got it last year at Carolyn's Shade Gardens in April and didn't bloom until late April)!     Native Senecio aureus (Golden Groundsel, aka Squaw Weed) *The blooms will be bright yellow. With several Forsythia varieties, 2 have been in bloom for about a week, with one type a much later bloomer. It's funny to see in person, as they are planted right next to each other:       A 3rd variety is planted in a different location, with about half of the branches in bloom:       Creeping Speedwell and Lamium are really pretty on one side of the house:     Veronica (Creeping Speedwell)   Lamium maculatum (spotted dead nettle) Bloodroot was another plant that I posted for Bloom Day last year in mid-April...this year, it bloomed  before mid-March!     Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)   Another batch of Bloodroot, in bloom     I am linking this with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. GBBD is on the 15th of each month, and features garden bloggers around the world who show us what is blooming in their part of the planet.  Even though I am a few days late, my photos show a pretty good 'mid month view' of my Virginia garden. After I publish this, I can guarantee something will have changed in the garden. Another bud will have opened up, another plant sprouted. I'll walk outside and hosta leaves will have shot up a quarter of an inch from where they were this morning. It is truly a season of change!   Well, that's all for now. I hope you are discovering gifts every day in your garden of life, too:-)   Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Native Plants, Perennials, Woodland Garden 2012-03-16T00:39:05+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/march_garden_bloggers_bloom_day/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/march_garden_bloggers_bloom_day/   It's March 8th and I've decided to show 'what's blooming right now' in my garden. The last time I blogged was in January and I had 'vowed' to blog at least twice a month. Somehow, February completely slipped away without a single post. Did anyone notice?! Probably not!     Crocus 'Romance' (Just planted bulbs in January!)       Hyacinth     I took photos daily, or at least several times a week, throughout the month of February, so it's all 'on record' if I want to share anything. I'm not sure what the reason for lack of blogging was, but it could have been the fact that most of my blooming plants were being completely destroyed by squirrels. It was kind of depressing, to say the least!   Anyway, I just noticed today that the Candytuft is blooming...it seems early to me:   Iberis sempervirins (Candytuft) The Pulmonaria started blooming in late February...I could hardly believe it. Much earlier than last year!:   Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' (Lungwort)    Here are some of the Hellebore's that are and have been blooming. Some since January, most of the others were blooming the whole month of February. I couldn't show them in February, however, because they were gnawed and eaten, with blooms cut off and looking scraggly! I finally got some good 'critter spray' (Bobbex) and have had good luck with it so these photos show 'intact' plants. (Wait until my next post when I show all the ugliness that the squirrels created here...!):   Helleborus hybridus               Helleborus hybridus (Pine Knot Strain)           A couple of different Hellebores...both 'hybrids'. (The one below had part of the flower eaten by squirrels but you can still see the pretty interior as it opened up).       Helleborus hybridus 'Phoenix' H. 'Phoenix' (above) was totally chewed off so I had to wait for a new flower to form...         Corsican Hellebore was the only plant that wasn't touched by the squirrels: Helleborus x nigercors 'Green Corsican'         I have a lot more Hellobores but couldn't show any blooms because either they bloomed and were destroyed, or they haven't bloomed yet. As I said earlier, I have another post 'brewing' about that issue.   I think it's early for Hepatica, compared to last year: H. nobilis: Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort)   H. acutiloba: Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp-lobed Hepatica) - pink     Same with Jacob's Ladder...it is much earlier than last year!:   Polymonium reptans 'Jacob's Ladder'     I just planted these Iris reticulata bulbs in January...so not sure if they are 'early' or not. They began blooming over a week ago:   Iris reticulata (Just planted bulbs in January!)       Daffodils have been blooming for a few weeks, on and off...but I still have several varieties that haven't even broken ground yet. Here are some I've had for years...nothing 'special', really. I planted a bunch of new ones in January and will photograph them when they bloom...           I had to show this guy...usually I'd pull him out but in February, he was welcome!   Dandelion (so-called 'weed' but adds color!)   Veronica repens (ground creeper)   Pieris japonica (Andromeda) 'Valley Valentine'   Vinca Minor (*An 'invasive' vine but I keep it contained, although I wouldn't mind getting rid of it entirely! I do admire the blue flowers, though)   Ilex Berries (Holly Tree) -- just because it's pretty against the blue sky If you noticed a white 'film' on any of the plants, it is spray to keep away the squirrels and deer. You might wonder why it would be on things like daffodils, hellebore and pieris. If I didn't know better, I would wonder myself. However, it is necessary, believe me! I have a whole series of photos showing the damage and destruction caused by squirrels alone. I have never had so much hellebore damage. It's a crime, it really is! I'll explain in my next post...   Until then, did you remember to say Thanks for Today! Unwrap the present; discover the gifts! ?   What gifts did you discover today?     Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Native Plants, Perennials, Woodland Garden 2012-03-09T00:24:10+00:00 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/backyard_birds--weve_got_em_here/ http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01/backyard_birds--weve_got_em_here/   Every year we look forward to an influx of colorful birds in our yard. The numbers generally pick up in January, and usually coincide with colder temperatures. While birds are here at any given time throughout the year, there is more obvious activity at the feeders during the winter months:   Finches and a Bluebird at one of the feeding stations   What do we do to attract the birds?  One thing we do is provide a variety of seeds, nuts and berries in several different bird feeders.  Black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower nuts, peanut pieces, safflower seed, nijer seed, and suet is available and enjoyed by many different birds.  Here are some birds on the suet feeders:   Downy Woodpecker (female) on suet feeder     Downy Woodpecker (male) on suet feeder   Starling on suet feeder   Carolina Chickadee on suet feeder   Eastern Bluebirds on suet feeder       Here are others on the seed feeders:   Eastern Bluebird     Eastern Bluebirds (Male and Female)     Eastern Bluebirds and House Finch       Red Winged Blackbird       Female Cardinal     Northern Cardinal (male)   Downy Woodpecker (female)   Carolina Wren   Downy Woodpecker and Starling     Chickadee   American Goldfinch   Nijer (Thistle Seed) feeder:   American Goldfinch   Goldfinch    Eastern Bluebird (male)   House Finch (female)     Despite the food offerings, probably the most important thing we do is offer water. Birds love bird seed, but they need water. We started out with a heated birdbath which the birds really love because it prevents the water from freezing over:   Eastern Bluebird (male)   Bluebird (female)   Male House Finch and Female Bluebird   Female (L) and Male (R) Bluebirds   Female Goldfinch Last summer we also installed a meandering stream. It has proven to be an attractive addition and/or alternative to the birdbath and I've immensely enjoyed watching the birds get to know it:   American Robin   Mourning Dove   House Finch (male) and Goldfinch (male)   Goldfinch (female)   Dark Eyed Juncos   Eastern Bluebird (male) and Junco (male)   Bluebird (female) and Junco (female)   Something else that helps to make the birds feel safe is having some shelter, such as evergreens or bushes/shrubs that don't lose their leaves in the winter. We planted Leyland Cypress on either side of the house, and birds can frequently be seen resting on the bows of the trees, seemingly hidden from sight (except for mine!):   Male (L) and Female (R) Northern Cardinals   We also have holly trees in the front yard, and on either side of the house. This morning I spotted this colorful guy up in the icy-covered branches:   Northern Cardinal (male)   Many birds don't even go to the feeders, but enjoy the food that drops to the ground:   Dark Eyed Junco     Tree White Throated Sparrow (I had my short lens on and had to enlarge this photo to see it. Not the clearest photo...)   Even when birds aren't eating, they are simply fun to watch, as they hop on railings, bird feeder poles or tree branches:   House Finch (male)   House Finch (female)   Northern Cardinal (male)     Mourning Dove     American Goldfinch     House Finch and Eastern Bluebird   Eastern Bluebird (male)   Eastern Bluebird (female)     Downy Woodpeckers   White Breasted Nuthatch   Brown Creeper   I hope you've enjoyed these photos--I have captured them all within the past couple of weeks. Our weather has finally gotten cold and we've had a little snow a couple of times and even a minor 'icing'. I've said it before, but I do believe it: Winter is for the birds!   What do you do to attract birds?     Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author. Birds 2012-01-23T23:07:05+00:00