A male Downy Woodpecker is pictured visiting a suet feeder, which may be hung vertically or horizontally. Downy Woodpeckers hold the distinction of being the most common and smallest American woodpeckers. Males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have a wash of red, orange, or (rarely) yellow on their … Continue reading Woodpecker Visits →

There are more than 100 varieties of Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Most people believe that they all are red, but they come in many colors, ranging from the traditional red to pink, burgundy, and white (as pictured in the attached photo by Geoffrey Njue). Native to Mexico, in 1828 they were introduced to the U.S. by … Continue reading Poinsettias – Dreaming of a White Christmas →

There are around 150 different species of Viburnums within the Adoxaceae plant family. Deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen, some grow as trees, while other types form bushes. Not all viburnums produce berries (technically drupes), which can be red, black, or blue. Pictured is a Wright Viburnum (Viburnum wrightii), a medium-sized deciduous shrub native to Japan (photo … Continue reading Viburnums – Berry Beautiful →

Referred to as “mums” for short, we are told that chrysanthemums symbolize loyalty, friendship, and joy. Called the “November birth flowers,” chrysanthemums are primarily grown as ornamentals. One species is cultivated as a source of the insecticide, pyrethrum. The weather has been unseasonably warm in the Greater Boston Area and the bees have been feasting … Continue reading Chrysanthemums – November Birth Flowers →

The leaves of a Japanese Dogwood tree (Cornus kousa) transform into beautiful purple-to-red colors in the fall. Viewed from afar they appear to be colorful “carpets” in mottled shades of reds, oranges and yellows. Their leaves contain tannins, which help them to persist on the branches longer than leaves on other trees. So, we’ll keep … Continue reading Japanese Dogwood – Foliage on Fire →