I’ve been a long time in this present garden, now. Long enough to reckon with mature plant sizes and the times I broke the rules on proper spacing. There are a few situations that I truly rue not paying attention to height and spread, and in one I was taken by surprise. I had planted…
Choosing and Growing Trees
Trees bring lasting beauty and value to the landscape. They can also be the longest to mature and cost a significant amount of the landscaping budget. Making wise choices saves many mistakes.
Trees are also a very important part of the environment. They provide food for wildlife and people.
There is something soul satisfying about trees, in a ways few other plants can match, so they inspire some musings and inspired thoughts, as well.
My Chores And Prairiefire Crabapple
A little update on what’s happenin’ around here. If I was Southern I might say h’yere 🙂 It has been cool enough to work easily outside, and yet here I am on the computer…but I slip out, grab the kids, and work a bit on the yard. The grass has needed more than the usual…
Flowering Trees For Spring
The GGW project had a number of entries for the Redbud tree. I had made one, but decided that there were more than enough competing pictures for it; but I thought you, my blog friends, would enjoy seeing the picture of my young tree from this spring and read the Redbud tree plant profile. I…
GGW Blog Photo Contest, Flowering Tree
The deadline is midnight tonight… and I decided at the last minute to enter this entry for “Flowering Trees“. Just for fun, because I already picked the winners in my head, and I would not be among them. Two favs were one colorful closeup and one atmospheric longshot. I would choose emotionally, not being a…
Dave’s Maples
I just finished reading about Dave’s beautiful Japanese maples illustrated with many beautiful pictures. I always wanted some in my garden, but the excuses kept interfering: my place is too windy, it gets too cold, the trees are expensive, …blah,blah,blah. Then I read a post like Dave’s, gorgeously done and descriptive of the attributes of…
Spring is Springing Here
“Every clod feels a stir of might, An instinct within it which reaches and towers.” -James Russell Lowell Out and about in the garden, and things, though late, and a little worse for wear with the late frosty weather, are popping. The winter honeysuckle finally put out some bloom, and the quince is flowering now,…
Just A Note
My Virginia Bluebells One of the most beautiful signs that springtime is really here is that ephemeral beauty of the garden, Virginia bluebells. Softest spring skies seem to have alighted in the flower beds when these plants appear and bloom. Just want to remind those who read here that I have a garden website, and…
Old Posts Never Die
From the past- as I go into my winter semi-dormancy {originally on my old blog and reposted here 9/14/06} I love trees. I am one of the tree-hugger persons; in fact, I highly identify with the Ents in the Tolkien stories. Here’s a few bits of info on Ents: According to Tom Shippey, Tolkien got…
Ike’s Aftermath in Ohio
I thought you might be interested in seeing the trees that blew down a few properties away from me. These were giant burr oaks felled by the mighty winds of Ike.
Time to Note Fall Color
Years ago I wrote a bit about how fall color sometimes surprises me. Here in the Midwest we are surrounded by the rich tapestry of autumn trees and goldenrod field flowers, but sometimes overlook the many other forms of fall color. It is a great time to take your camera and notebook and make notes…