I absolutely love lilacs (Syringa vulgaris). They are the essence of spring in one wonderful breath. Their flowering inevitably makes me smile. Until now.Several years ago, in order to add a touch of spring to late summer/early fall, I added a reblooming lilac bush to my yard. It’s planted beside my driveway and sports smaller … Continue reading Lilacs? In October?
Author: Deborah J. Benoit
Oh, Goldenrod!
I have a “love/no not there!” relationship with goldenrod (Solidago). And it’s not for the reason you might think. I do sniffle and sneeze a bit when goldenrod is in bloom, but it’s not due to the abundance of goldenrod growing around my house. Goldenrod does not aggravate allergies. Its pollen does not make you sneeze. … Continue reading Oh, Goldenrod!
Goodbye Weeds—Well, Maybe
If only I could shout, “Weeds, be gone!” and poof! like magic they’d vanish. I know, not in this reality. And even if I could, I’m not sure I’d actually do it.Why? Well, I like some of those “weeds” and don’t want them gone, even if it were as easy as wishing it to be … Continue reading Goodbye Weeds—Well, Maybe
Remembering The Wildflowers
When I was a young girl, I remember walking along the road and picking wildflowers. Daisies. Black-eyed Susans. Chicory. White Campion. Queen Anne’s Lace. Buttercups. Even Dandelions. Some of them I didn’t learn the names of until recently when a Google search provided them. And I’m glad I did because many of them have been … Continue reading Remembering The Wildflowers
A Rose with a Different Thorn
One of the first plants I bought for my garden was a rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa). It’s grown into a beautiful shrub and expanded along the top of the wall in front of my house. The first thing I learned about rugosa roses was that bees absolutely love them. When the flowers are in bloom (pretty … Continue reading A Rose with a Different Thorn
Oh, Deer!
Not only does weeding make the garden neater, it also presents an opportunity to view plants up close. Most times, weeding frees a plant that just needs a bit more sun and some space to get growing to its best potential. But sometimes weeding reveals an ugly truth: this plant tastes yummy.Such was the case … Continue reading Oh, Deer!
What We Don’t See
I see a fair amount of wildlife where I live. Hawks hunt from high above and a murder of crows keep watch over the neighborhood. I even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle soaring overhead from time to time. There are deer, rabbits, the occasional fox or opossum—all manner of birds and beasties. What … Continue reading What We Don’t See
Welcome, Summer—And the War on Weeds
Spring departed with summer’s arrival at 10:57 a.m. on the 21st. The first day of summer is always a little sad for me. I celebrate spring and am sorry to see the ever-changing awakening of the garden come to an end. But the sadness is fleeting. Summer has its own charms and, truth be told, … Continue reading Welcome, Summer—And the War on Weeds
Gray Skies
If ever there was an in-your-face reminder that we’re all connected through the world around us, I only need to look up to see it. Gray skies—and not the “it’s going to rain” kind—lend an eerie feel to the day. The sun is up there somewhere, oddly illuminating the haze. And there are clouds moving … Continue reading Gray Skies
Just Outside My Window
I really do love the Internet and Google. Last night, the peepers and other night critters were being especially vocal. I could hear them quite clearly through the open window upstairs while I was downstairs watching television and playing on the computer with all the downstairs windows closed. One sound - a repeated trilling - … Continue reading Just Outside My Window
Pen, Paper, Plant 