Sunday, May 26, 2013

Ghosts in the Garden

Ghost Ferns that is! Athyrium or Ghost Fern has an upright habit once established.  They are well behaved but I wish they would speard more. It's fronds are silvery which give it a ghostly glow in the shade garden. 
Lucky me I have four ghosts in my garden. They are late to awaken in Spring but I'm always glad to see them when they do!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Some Spring Blooms

Here's a few woodland Wildflowers I have blooming now.
Violets in an array of colors. I need to do some research to find which kinds they are. I love the magenta one which I actually bought years ago.
White Shooting Stars
Red Trillium or Toadshade
Wild Geranium or Cranesbill with a hosta

Sorry the pictures aren't great but the mosquitoes are viscous this year like never before.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Garden Humor

Humor always helps. I thought I would share these with you. Personally I like the one about hiding the bodies!
Mother Nature blew in some chilly temps and we may get a snowflake or two tomarrow. Good thing I put all my veggies under recycled plastic bottles so if we do get frost they should be ok.
Wishing all you Moms a wonderful Mothers Day! My wish list includes a new sprinkler and some new garden gloves.  Oh and no cooking at least for the day!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Ghost Corn also known as Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchman's Breeches/ Dicentra Cucullaria is a perennial woodland native wildflower. Which attracts long tounged bees such as: Bumble, Mason and Miner to it's nectar.
The little puffy white and yellow flowers look like little pants/breeches.
But I found some fascinating Native American Indian folklore about these little woodland gems. According to the Conondaga Indians Ghost Corn was thought to be food for the Spirits. How cool is that!
They were also used as a potent love charm.
I have several of these lovely beauties in my shade garden. Mine are up but not blooming yet.
Here's an update from my wild yard. Yep found one more baby rattlesnake. I raked and mowed so I hope that helps.  We also have way too many Garter Snakes to count. Since they moved in we haven't had any mice so yeah for that. Giant Painted momma turtles are making their way into the woods to lay eggs. And a very large pleated woodpecker is back but I do not see his mate. They come every year. What was shocking to me was when he flew into a hole in one of our trees. At first I thought ok yeah a nest of woodpeckers but nope. He pulled out what looked like a baby monkey but hey we don't have monkey's here. So I was horrified to see it was a baby squirrel. Nature can be burtal at times.