New Blogger, Old Blogger

    All I can say it is difficult to deal with change. This new Blogger format is not as user friendly in my opinion. I guess I will get used to it because the way I read it this is where it is going whether I like it or not.  I will just try to ignore it. It seems that I have been ignoring my blog as it is. Even so the garden just keeps on growing. 

    I will probably not be blogging much in the near future. I am having issues that are difficult to deal with not withstanding my favorite photo reader has gone kaput ie: the one I can easily use and know how to use. 

    I will be lurking and cheering on all of you fabulous writers and bloggers holding my head up above it all.

Cleaning Project

 Yesterday a couple of friends stopped by to see the garden. As they were leaving I noticed all the bird poo on the gate. I decided it was time to clean it off as there was a big clump on top of the gate. 

Imagine my surprise when the big clump opened it's eyes to check out who was bothering it. A sweet little tree frog was napping there on the gate. I have more often heard these creatures calling in the night. Rarely seen here. They blend in perfectly with tree bark. 

I went out at dusk to see if it was still there. Sure enough there it was curled up on the gate. I wonder where it went and when it decided it was safe to move about.

Have you had any unusual visitors in your garden?

Color Changes and seed planting

There has been a slight change in the color wave. A little more purple and some white.

A few new visitors to the garden. This magnificent Pileated Woodpecker was working over a stump right across from our driveway. Only the second time in 25 years I have seen one in our yard.

And I am making a slight change in a garden bed that will eventually bring a lot of color. This bed has needed attention for some time. This winter was hard on a lot of shrubs in my garden. Several died back to the ground that have never had trouble with winter. The variegated Kerria shrub got  a good cut back. 

I moved the hostas to the more shady end of the bed. 

In this wide open space I planted... 

several packets of seeds.

I will hopefully soon have plenty of color for more summer visitors.

Have you had any new visitors in your garden this spring? Are you planting seeds yet? Don't get into too big of a hurry. The seeds I planted a couple of weeks ago were frozen to oblivion. As you can see I had to start over. Such is how some springs go. I wish you better luck that I had at first.

Spots of Color

When I look out the kitchen window I see spots of color here and there. I just have to get out and walk around to see what is happening.

That stand of bright golden yellow bearded Irises are a beacon in the garden. You can see them from almost anyplace in the garden. The Biltmore redtwig dogwood shrub is almost as bright. 

In the circle bed the Carmel huechra anchor the Dogwood tree (Cornus Rudtan Celestial Shadow)

 That spot of gold on the right is a golden Marjoram. It grows as a ground cover here. I have to take it away from some spots because it romps around. I like that in an herb.

Out under the River birch the Gold color is represented by the Spiderwort Kate. This is her time of year. Every mid summer when it heats up here and gets dry I think I might rip her out because she melts in the heat and sometimes goes totally dormant.  

Every spring when I see her like this and she starts sporting some blooms I am glad I don't rip her out. 

There is other more subdued colors. 

I can hardly get enough of them. 

Annie certainly likes the warm colorful times. 

Are there any really bright spots in your garden?

Spring Lily-of-the-Valley IAVOM

Cathy at Rambling in the Garden has a meme that every Monday you post a vase of flowers.Cathy has a knack of having flowers all year round which encourages everyone to try to have something in your vase.  I don't often post but the pink Lily-of-the Valley is so pretty this year. Often the pink is washed out for some reason. This year they are so very pink. Along with the LOV are some small leaves of the mini hosta 'Cheatin Heart'. 

They vase is only about 4" tall, one of a trio of small vases that my daughter gave me years ago. I give them a workout this time of year.

While the Pink LOV doesn't smell as strong as the traditional white LOV it blooms a little earlier for me and adds a little sparkle to the garden.

If you want to see what people from all over are putting in their vase  pop over to Cathy's blog here for some spring time fun or perhaps even some fall colors from down under.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - April 2020

This is some Bloom Day. The wind is howling and there is ice on the tall bird bath out in the garden.  On the bright side there are quite a few blooms in the garden even if they are spread out. Like the  creeping phlox and the native phlox diverticulata are blooming. Hellebores are still sporting a few blooms but they are mostly going over to seeds. 

The Crabapple tree (that pink spot in the back of the above picture center) is blooming beautifully.

The first Iris Cristata ‘Powder Blue Giant’ started blooming yesterday.

There are several Grape hyacinths blooming. This pale blue one I have moved around to different places in the garden because it seems to like it here.

There are a few late daffodils blooming now but they won't last long in this freezing weathers. 

Dicentra Gold Heart came up early this year and has a few blooms on it. 

The pink dogwood out front is really pretty but is difficult to get a good picture of the overall tree. It is supposed to be Rubra but has always been pink. 

The native Columbines are beginning to bloom. This usually means there will be hummingbirds at any moment in the garden. Maybe this wind will blow them in to the area.

The Chocolate Chips Ajuga is blooming here and there around the garden. I like the way it pairs with the bright red twig dogwood Biltmore. My photo doesn't do it justice. 

I hope all is well with you and yours and you are able to get out in your garden today. If you can't pop over to Carol's May Dreams Garden to view other Garden Bloggers Blooms. 

Other plants blooming in the garden:

Variegated Soloman's Seal

Brunnera Ghost

Pulmonaria

Golden Alexander Zizia Aurea

Yellow terillium Luteum

Violets

various Tulips 

Spring Beauties Claytonia virginica

Leather leaf Viburnum

Button Spirea

Pink Flowering Almond Shrub Prunus Glandulosa

Eastern Redbud Tree Cercis Canadensis

Turkey

No this turkey isn't for Easter dinner it is a picture for Shadow Shot Sunday. Where you can go see more shadows here.

He/she is wondering what you are looking at.

Either a young male or a female. I think a young male because it wasn't very smart. It would have been a hunters dream to have a turkey cross a field and them saunter past where the hunter was await a shot. It was lucky this time that this hunter only carries a camera. 

I hope you have a Hoppy Easter. Don't eat too much candy...unless it is chocolate. 

Wednesday Woes

It seems that plants are barreling along into spring but all is about to come to a screeching halt. The prediction is that we are to have frost this weekend and maybe even some snow next week. We had to drag inside the plants I had put outside last week. The behemoths will have to sit in front of the patio doors until this cold spell passes by.

Instead of dwelling on the blah I thought that I would share a few pictures of what I am able to enjoy now. The 'pink' is taking over the front of the house. Redbud trees and Almond bush. 

The Almond bush has never looked better. 

It and the Button Spirea are romping. 

It seems like some things are blooming earlier than usual. Like this variegated Soloman's seal. The native Soloman's Seal isn't even up. I don't think it has been fooled by this warmer than usual weather.

It seems like the later Daffodils are white ones. I wish I could remember their names.

This pretty little yellow trillium is new to the garden. It is in a very protected place. It came from Tennessee so I suppose it is on track. 

I will leave you with this little spot of sunshine. I am not sure what hosta it is but every spring it injects some much needed light into a gloomy day.

I hope you all have a delightful weekend. Try to stay warm. It is going to be a little more difficult to do since we have had such nice warm weather. We are matching our record high for this date as I type, 84F (29C).  Cheers.

Weekend Wonders

There is so much happening in the garden now. I have to be out there often to try to keep up with it all. 

The Mayapples, Podophyllum,  are beginning to pop up. Always a delight to see. 

The trillium is beginning to set buds. I wanted to get these posted for Wildflower Wednesday but I didn't get around to it. Odd how with more time at home I don't seem to be getting ahead of chores or even getting to some things I want to do. 

We took Annie for a walk and I spotted these fiddle heads unfurling. These belonging to Christmas Fern. I don't know a lot of wild ferns but this one I have in my garden.

We came upon this convention of Turkey Vultures having breakfast.

Mallards are so very common around here year round but this gentleman looked quite dapper in his fresh plumage. 

A bird that isn't so common is a Barred Owl. We came upon this one standing at the edge of a flooded field. It appeared to be hunting frogs. We sat and watched it for some time. It didn't catch anything while we watched but it didn't seem a bit disturbed with an audience. It did keep an eye on us.

We are all doing well here. I hope you and yours are too.

As you might have noticed we haven't had much sunshine lately. The weather sort of suits the mood of the country. I am ready for some sunshine. How about you?

Shadowy Weekend

I have been outside quite a bit the past few days. We have had some glorious warm, if damp, days. 

I saw this shadow on the patio that made me think about Shadow Shot Sunday which I am connecting with here. 

This beautiful shadow also brought me to a haiku. So I am connecting with Rebecca and her haiku tribe here.

Inviting shadows

display on the patio

for those wanting out

I hope you all can get out for some fresh air this weekend. Be safe. Be well. Peace.

Haiku Haven

Since there is much more time to contemplate life I thought I would connect with Rebecca at Haiku My Heart. A small bit of peace here.

Frightening tempest

obscured by a single bloom

offering solace

Idee Fixe

My obsession with mosses is not a new idea. I have several damp areas in my garden that grows two types of moss.  The only moss I have introduced is this dark green moss (below) that I found growing on a decommissioned bridge. This is one thing about moss you shouldn't take it from any wildlife refuge, park or private property unless  you have permission. I figured that this bridge will certainly be taken down sometime in the near future so I helped myself to some of it. 

The moss below is growing on the base of an old Redbud tree in my garden. These types of moss that grow on the base of a tree are called 'Apron Moss'. Of course these mosses each have a scientific name but that is where I get left behind. Those little red stems are the Sporophytes with capsules on the end.  See I am learning.

This beautiful bright light green moss is what has started this whole obsession with moss. It is common as an old shoe because I see it everywhere now. It began growing in what can be a very wet place just outside our fence line.

I remember looking there after the rain soaked in one time and saw all the brilliant green moss shining and wishing it would come on into the garden. 

I think it heard me. Because a couple of years ago I discovered a small patch of it growing along a path. I started removing the weeds and grass growing in it to encourage it and it grew. This spring my Idee Fixe (an idea or desire that dominates the mind; an obsession) sprung to life. I just had to get in there and do something with it.

I removed stones from a path that was never used and brought the stones around. I got a few of the stones set and moss around them. Rain was predicted for several days so I called in the big guns. I asked my DB to help me finish the stones so I could get the moss in place before all the rain. 

He cheerfully (?) complied.  From here you would be looking South to Northish.

I keep harvesting from the side lot. 

Trying to fit in 'starter' pieces around the stones. This view is from the North to South.

 

Since the dark moss came off the old bridge which was concrete I thought I would try a spot of it on one of the stones. I can't wait to see if it grows. Since they have blocked off this bridge to traffic the moss has almost overtaken the bridge. It is quite a sight.

The stones are all tucked in with all the moss I could procure right now. 

What I have to do now is wait. 

As you see below, the rain has come. Before I could not have walked through here without boots but now I have a nice dry stepping stone path.

What I see from here is potential for more yet. More stones and more moss area. 

 I have been on two hikes this past year with people that know much more about this subject than I ever will. I have learned about some must have books if you are interested in this subject at all. These three books that I find are most informative and engaging. 

The book Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians by Karl McKnight, Joseph Rohrer, Kirsten McKnight Ward, and Warren Perdrizet is a great field guide for my area. At least as close as a book is to my area. There aren't that many field guides to mosses. Mosses aren't appreciated by everyone. When I finally decide which mosses I have I will update with the species. The field guide was suggested to me by my friend that is my go to wildflower expert in these parts. She told me that this was the best field guide she had ever seen or tried to use. I must agree because they tell you how to use the guide, the pictures are excellent and there is so much information.

The book Gathering Moss A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a great read. She is a bryologist yet she also looks at moss through her Native American culture.  

The third book The Magical World of Moss Gardening by Annie Martin is where she tells you all about moss gardening and even tells you of places to purchase moss from ethical gatherers and growers. Annie's charming stories and great advise will give you a good read.

There you have it. My Idee fixe  that dominates my mind this early spring. Do you have an idea you are working on?

And no I haven't been paid to say anything nice about these books.I bought them of my own accord.  I just happen to find them by looking for moss information.