We’re halfway through the month of November and we’re still raking leaves. Although we try to keep them off our sidewalk, street gutters, front steps, and so-called lawn, many are left on our garden beds to benefit the wildlife. According to the Xerces Society, swallowtail butterflies disguise their cocoons and chrysalises as “dried leaves,” blending … Continue reading Much To Be Thankful For!
Incredibly, in our garden we are still being “gifted” by our three tomato plants, which I mentioned in my September 1st column “As Fall Approaches.” The rest of the veggie garden is a disaster, except for the chives, which are growing in a pot. Because of the drought, tree foliage began to turn colors early … Continue reading Growing Season Winding Down
This year’s abnormally high temperatures, along with the lack of rain, have affected all gardens in a negative way for sure. Although we don’t really care about our so-called lawn, it’s been sad to see long-established shrubs, such as rhododendrons and azaleas, with their drooping leaves and dead branches. Much time has been spent in … Continue reading As Fall Approaches
The recent sweltering days of extreme heat accompanied by a record-setting severe drought has made this year’s gardening a challenge for sure. Temperatures in the high 90s along with watering restrictions have resulted in sad-looking perennial plants, especially our daylilies, ferns, creeping phlox, and hostas. There were days when some of our rhododendrons, azaleas, and … Continue reading A Hot and Dry August Garden
Common milkweed not only provides nectar for bees and other pollinators, but it is the larval host plant for Monarch butterflies. According to landscaping expert David Beaulieu, “Asclepias is the only plant family that serves as the host plant for monarch butterfly egg laying. The monarch larvae, the hatchling caterpillars, feed exclusively on milkweed leaves. … Continue reading Milkweed Hosts Monarch Butterflies
