In the fall and winter, I like to go lichen-hunting. The trees have lost their leaves and there isn’t much undergrowth, so it’s a lot easier to spot these frilly, hairy, fuzzy, and crusty organisms. There are so many shapes, textures, and colors of lichens to look at, it can take me hours to get down a trail. I once had a bicyclist whizz past me on a trail, only to come back a few seconds later, stop his bike, and say, “I have to know, what … [Read more...]
The Tiniest Among Us
When February arrives, I am tired of winter. Tired of the cold, dreary, gray days and tired of being stuck indoors (mostly because I can't stand to be cold, not because of any severe weather). This is when I need an escape. Enter a trip to warmer climates. Yay! Here I sit in my office chair with the remnants of a fading tan and memories of sunshine and blue skies with the sound of surf and turquoise waters. Thank you, Puerto Rico. The … [Read more...]
My Indoor Gardening to Avoid the Winter Blues
Southern winters harbor a secret. Every once and a while, the long periods of gray skies, strong wind, and rain of a typical winter are punctuated by 24 hours of sinfully warm temperatures and sunny skies. These days are a much needed and appreciated break from the weariness of a dreary winter sky. It brings me so much joy. My green fingers itch on days like this. They want to turn the soil and plant seeds. But like our winters, … [Read more...]
A Flash Of Pink From the Car Window
Sundays after church, my dad would pile the family into the car and take us for a drive through the countryside just outside boundaries of the big city. We would see miles of delicate pink flowers lining the edges of the roads, the cracks in the sidewalk, and the banks of the hills. Pink evening primrose is one of the wildflowers of my childhood. Some people may call it a weed, but this plant holds a special place in my heart. When I see them … [Read more...]
Flowers of Belgium – A Walk in Bruges
There are lots of tiny gardens and planters or container gardens in the streets and alleys of Bruges, Belgium. Most of the streets and fronts and backs of the houses in the city center are lined with cobblestones or other paved material so there isn't a lot of greenspace. So the residents of this lovely city have taken to making every square inch of dirt count and added in lots of container gardens too. Here are some of my favorites from my … [Read more...]
Tour of the Aarhus Botanical Garden in Denmark
The wind is blowing fiercely but the sun has finally arrived here in Aarhus, Denmark, so I decided to walk to the botanical garden to enjoy the afternoon. It's only a few blocks from here and I love visiting gardens whenever I travel. One of my favorite parts about botanical gardens is I get the chance to see the local flora and learn about the different habitats in each place. I started with the outdoor gardens which are lined with stone … [Read more...]
The First Spring Wildflowers
The first flowers to show their faces after winter are the native wildflowers. By mid to late-March, they are usually in full bloom, even after a quick dip in the temperatures. Choosing to incorporate native plants in to your garden is a great idea if you want hardy plants that can tolerate the local soil and weather conditions. Native plants are just that - perfectly adapted for the spot in which they naturally grow. Some of my favorite … [Read more...]
Purple and White Container Garden
The colors for the Easter season are purple and white, so this Easter-themed container garden is just perfect. It sites in front of a church with another paired on the other side of the door. The plants in this container garden include: White Nancy lamium (Lamium maculatum) Pansies (Viola spp) Wallflower (Erysimum linofolium 'Bowles Mauve') Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) All of these flowers are early spring bloomers and … [Read more...]
Early Spring Flowers for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies
This early spring sky is filled with butterflies! I am seeing so many eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) feeding on colorful spring flowers that it has really brightened my days. Eastern tiger swallowtails are quite large - with a wingspan of 3 to 5.5 inches and with their bright yellow wings with blue spots, they put on quite a show. If you want to bring them to your garden, there are some early spring flowering plants … [Read more...]
How Do Frogs Survive the Winter?
It was dark, warm, and humid last night when I opened my door to take my dog, Charlie, for a walk. We had to be careful not to slip on the wet cement as he went racing out to sniff the ground. We walked the block to the sound of insects and frogs singing their little hearts out. I love when we get a few warm 60-degree days in the middle of winter. It brings out a chorus of frogs singing – like a promise of spring to come. As we headed back … [Read more...]
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