December 29, 2014

Twelve of My Favorite Things (2014)

At the end of last year, I started a personal tradition. I've always had a habit of "wishing away" the winter and a bit of trouble adjusting to some seasonal transitions.

So, at the end of December 2013, I created a list of favorite things for each month to help me live in the present and appreciate each season in its time. Did the list help?

Yes! As the days rolled along, I found myself thinking about my "favorites" and enjoying simple magical moments.

I've decided to make it an annual tradition. For each month, I've identified a favorite nature-related "thing." Here are my reminders for the year ahead:

January

The long shadows of the Oak trees on the back garden can be mesmerizing. This effect is particularly dramatic on bright, sunny days after fresh snowfalls. I don't even have to go outside in the cold to see this!

February

New buds on the Cyclamen are almost as pretty as the blooms, themselves. This photo is from last February. I'll be curious to see if, and when, it blooms again this year.

March

Like any gardener, I'm thrilled to see the first shoots of spring-flowering bulb plants as welcome signs of new life. Some years these appear earlier, so mulch and snow help to protect them from the cold.

April

Some Cedar Waxwings are with us year-round, but they seem to gather in great groups and sing their high-pitched songs in great exuberance during the first mild days of spring. They're always a joy to see and hear!

May

There are so many plants and events to enjoy in May. My problem is less about finding a favorite thing than narrowing it down to one. But finding spring ephemerals, like Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) shown here, is an all-time favorite activity.

June

June is a prime hiking month in Wisconsin. I enjoy discovering native plants along the trails, like Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta).

July

Wildflowers at the cottage are plentiful in July. Shown here: Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) and Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata). Both are pollinator favorites.

August

If I'm lucky, I'll find a Monarch caterpillar in my garden. Luckier still--to see it transform into an adult butterfly and nectar on my garden's flowers.

September

Nothing says "September" like regal Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.). When I saw these blooms reaching for the hazy sun during a late-summer hike, I knew this memory would supply warmth during the cold winter months. I believe this plant is either H. decapetalus or H. tuberosus.

October

Maple leaves in warm reds, oranges, and yellows make October in Wisconsin a truly stunning place. If you enjoy autumn foliage, this is a great destination for an October trip.

November

Most years, November is a grey, brown, misty month here. But it's still a great time for hiking. The temperatures aren't too cold (usually) and the leaves form a soft cushion on the trails. Several new trails are opening near my home, and I can't wait to explore them!

December

What's more fascinating than a simple seed head? (Said the plant nerd.) This one, from Clematis 'Nelly Moser,' looks soft enough for a bird's nest and pretty enough for a decorative pin. I enjoy photographing seed heads on milder December days.

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When I think of these simple pleasures, and many more, the year ahead looks bright and hopeful. Each month carries its own unique blessings.

My wish for you in the year ahead is that you'll find many simple "favorite things" and gifts that will bring you much joy.

Happy New Year!

December 18, 2014

Plant of the Month: Northern Sea Oats

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Need an ornamental grass for a shady setting? I have just the plant for you!

dried seedheads

Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is one of those plants that has me asking, "Where have you been all my life?" It's new to my garden, and I wonder why it took me so long to add it. Numerous garden bloggers have extolled its virtues, and I finally took their advice and planted it.

clump

Northern Sea Oats is one of the few grasses native to my area and zone that thrives in shade--perfect for my shade-dominated garden.

Apparently it can be prolific--reseeding readily from year to year. I can't vouche for that since it's new for me, but I'm guessing the best practice is to plant it in an area where you don't mind some spreading.

location

Fortunately, I found a great location--in a narrow section between the patio and the stone wall, with shrubs on one side and Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) at its feet.

Other specs for this plant, as noted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:

Height: 2-4 ft.
Shape: clump-forming
Water use: medium
Native distribution: eastern, central and southwestern North America
Larval host: various skipper butterflies
Resists: deer and rabbits
Other nicknames: River Oats, Indian Wood Oats, Flathead Oats, Upland Sea Oats, among others

arrangement

The dried seed stalks are excellent for autumn and winter floral arrangements.

macro

And after one season of closely observing this plant, I've concluded the best location for it is in partial shade or dappled sun, because the best views of Northern Sea Oats include gentle sunlight illuminating through it ... during every season.

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(Thanks to those who've participated in and commented on PlantPosting's fourth quarter "Lessons Learned" meme. The meme remains open indefinitely, and we'd love to learn from your experiences. Click here or on the "Lessons Learned" tab to participate.)

December 15, 2014

Squirrel Popsicles!

If you wish, listen to the music
as you scroll through this post:

♪♫♩♫


Have you ever seen a squirrel eat a popsicle? I did the other day. This little guy picked up a large chunk of snow/ice and proceeded to enjoy a little refreshment.

Squirrels are always entertaining, but this particular chunk was about as long as the squirrel's tail.

I wasn't speedy enough to capture the first few moments, but I did manage to snap a series of photos that produced a cute little "auto awesome" Google video. As I was watching it, the Vince Guaraldi song "Linus and Lucy" was playing on the radio, which is why I suggested it at the top of this post. Enjoy!


I'm linking this post to Donna's Seasonal Celebrations at Gardens Eye View and Michelle's Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Hope you're all having a safe and enjoyable holiday season so far!

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(Thanks to those who've participated in and commented on PlantPosting's "Lessons Learned" meme. The meme remains open indefinitely, and we'd love to learn from your experiences. Click here or on the "Lessons Learned" tab to participate.)

December 06, 2014

A Year in the Life of the Shagbark Hickories

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And so we come full circle with our "tree following" posts. What a wonderful learning experience this has been!

Lucy at Loose and Leafy hosts this tree following meme, and it's been a privilege to participate this year. I dedicated my posts to our twin Shagbark Hickories (Carya ovata). Each month revealed new things about them. (To read earlier posts, click this link or search for "Shagbark" in my search bar).

Now in my part of the world, December and November have switched places this year. I have no images to show of snow catching on the bark of the Shagbarks, because we've hit a patch of mild weather. There's even talk of a non-white Christmas here in Southern Wisconsin. (Whether this happens or not, I won't be the one to complain about a mild December.)

Here are my December 2014 garden observations about the Shagbark Hickories:

leaves on snow

Most years, the Hickories lose at least some of their leaves before the snow flies. This year, the snow dropped first--in early November. Slip-sliding around with a rake didn't make much sense, so my chores are delayed.

It's interesting to trace where some of the leaves have fallen.

bench

No picnics on this bench for a while.

planter

Hickory leaves are mixed with Oaks as winter mulch for the hardy plants in one of my pots.

draped

Some of the curled leaves are impaled on the nearby Lilac shrub.

chestnut

The color and texture of the dried Hickory leaves reminds me of cognac-colored leather.

moss and lichen

Even in winter, the trees host healthy mosses and lichens.

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A few avian visitors fly from the feeders to the Hickory branches and back again. This photo of a Hairy Woodpecker was taken a few weeks ago, before the Hickory leaves (in the background) dropped.

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Though the branches are now bare, the Hickories remain strong and stately.

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And their winter buds portend the promise of another year of life.

Thanks to Lucy at Loose and Leafy for hosting the tree following meme. Visit her blog on the 7th of each month to learn more about trees from around the world.

I'm also linking in with Michelle's Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.

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(Thanks to those who've participated in and commented on PlantPosting's "Lessons Learned" meme. The meme remains open indefinitely, and we'd love to learn from your experiences. Click here or on the "Lessons Learned" tab to participate.)