I think I have bronchitis..I cough up stuff..ugh!!..but I’m strong enough to work outside every day..

the wild onion shocks me..been digging for years yet I have so many clumps..😩

my husband had a routine dermatologist appointment today..came home with about 10 freeze wounds..

I find Florida appealing too..

I do have lots of trillium and trout lilies..I can’t take credit..I had a few when I moved in..I definitely have more now..isn’t it interesting how trilliums can be lighter or darker?..

I looked up knotweed..I haven’t seen it in my yard..

“believe half“ etc is a clever adage!..

my old hellebore leaves are very ratty..it’s worth removing mine..

I read about a tulip species (don’t have them or know the name) that bloom reliably..I bought tulips once..learned that they’re basically annuals and never bought any since..I think? the leaves come up but they don’t bloom..

I think I follow your moss pole irrigation method..

I think Ice Follies could be the correct ID for my daffodils..I should’ve taken close ups of my others but I concentrated on my favorites..

teen boys can be a challenge!..

you do HAVE quite a few new plants Lol..I’m holding off a little longer..I admit if I wasn’t sick I would have probably been plant shopping..

Mila does make Rufus look small..they look cute together..

your viburnums are way ahead of mine..

my bleeding hearts are short lived..beautiful but they go dormant..see the blooms coming?..

do you think your potted hosta needs a bigger pot?..it’s so lush and full..the pot seems small..

love your daffodils..especially the small white ones..

your azaleas sure give you great color..

If you do not get better in a few days, you must see a doctor to get some antibiotics going. I have had bronchitis and it doesn't get better, only worse as each day passes.

Persistence will win the day against wild onions. At least you are aware of it and how it continues to multiply. I dug out a good sized clump yesterday next to my garden phlox (from my grandmother's yard).

Old age and the skin doctor go hand in hand. I need to go again, it's been a few years. I've had the chemical burns (freezing), cut off cysts, snipped off tag warts (not covered by insurance), and the Mohs procedure twice (I hate the smell of burning flesh, especially since it is my flesh). The freezing looks hideous for a few days, but soon disappears.

I like it when the trout lilies are blooming, but after that - meh!

Do you think the darkness of the trilliums is due to how old the plant is? I looked at your two photos and the darkest ones are the largest (and probably oldest, too). That is sweet that you already had these on your property when you moved in. I wished I had some lady slipper orchids, but won't dig any up in the wild and their prices are too high for me to even consider. BTW, those are lovely trilliums.

Persicaria is also known as knot-weed, but some of the smaller species are nice to look at and easier to get rid of.

I had two tulips at our last house that bloomed each and every year. Why these two was a big question. Out of the dozens we bought, only two that were truly perennial performers. One was yellow and the other was red.

Here is a picture of the moss pole with built in irrigation I was going for.

Yes, teen boys (and girls) are always a challenge. I guess that is why babies start off as sweet, innocent, cute children. If they started out as teenagers, there would be no humans.

I need to start some flower seeds soon. It is already April 2nd! I want to move some of my bigger houseplants outdoors this week and hope that no hard freeze comes. I took down all my caladium pots and started watering them lightly.

Mila and Rufus have the same coloring as Mila's owner has commented. They are a pair together.

You have the old fashioned bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) that do disappear when it starts getting hot. Try the luxuriant variety that are known as everblooming. What I recall about them is they spread more but are shorter in stature.

Yes, the hosta needs a permanent spot in the ground, but I've been very hesitant about planting any more hostas until I have a better protection plan against marauding deer.

The newest daffodils (from Costco) are really showing up this week. Unfortunately, they will soon be over for this year. I wished our azaleas had a much longer blooming period too. Just like Camellias, love them while they are blooming, but their bloom period is kind of short (and during colder weather).

Here is the big viburnum yesterday. I hate the leaning due to the magnolia intrusion - you can see the pink blooms in the upper right hand corner.

the first dutch iris to bloom

Mildred azaleas behind some of the Costco daffodils (front yard)

This daffodil is already starting to fade out

the focus seems to be the azalea (phone cameras are harder to use for focusing at times)

Pink Ruffles is hose in hose flower type on azaleas.

our new lawn service didn't kill the creeping phlox blooms this year

This shows how tall the JM is getting in front of our dining room windows. The prostrate blue deodar cedar needs a big haircut as well.

Coral bells are doing their thing, growing like a weed. Bloom stalks are already forming on one of the two in the ground.

ferns and their new fiddle heads are always amusing

Walmart plants yesterday

A nice Kwanzan cherry on our drive home from our daughter's house on Easter day.

It was hard to get a shot as I had to grab my phone out of my pocket, get logged in, and get the camera app up.

some begonias from Easter Day.

the newest Calathea (kind of a miniature)

my newest alocasias from a month or so ago (local stores such as Pike's and Lowe's)

I like the new canes that come up straight, strong, and tall. It becomes a problem when they hit the shelf above, so I have to move them away from the shelves.

one of the rooms showing part of the hand made shelves

I shot this without the overhead light turned on. I have one leaf that has those white dots on it and I need to explore that further one of these days.

Bambino

My Etsy purchases so far. 3 Anthuriums, Xanthosoma Mickey Mouse, and Aglaonema Tricolor. I hope to move them to six inch pots in another month or two.

I started these on Feb 18 (two days after our Feb meeting)

I feel slightly better..headed in the right direction..

it is satisfying to dig up onion clumps..

trout lilies are sweet..once a year a little breath of spring and then they disappear..

thanks for the trillium compliment..they are attractive and it’s great that I have them..I think my organic garden methods have allowed them to survive and thrive..

so you were lucky enough to own worthwhile tulips not duds like mine..

love your take on teenagers!..Lol..

I did notice Mila and Rufus match!..

I took a screenshot of a bleeding heart that I’d buy if I see it..it lasts until fall..might be the one you mentioned..I’ll look for my pic..

protecting hosta from deer is difficult..I can see why yours is in a pot..

all of us would love longer lasting blooms..

l don’t like leaning plants either..

you’re right..the azaleas dominate the photo!..

my Japanese maples are so thin compared to yours 🙁..I think my colder winters affect mine..it does block the view..

love the peach/orange/yellow begonia planter..

nice cherry tree..

your begonias did well this winter!..

my indoor plants could look better..I think some got too dry..with the furnace running during extremely cold temperatures they dried out fast..

for less than 2 months old the begonia cuttings are cute!..

we had a downpour last night..so standing water today..some of my plants are kind of smashed..

That's good that you are feeling better, even if it is only slightly. I heard from my mother that my sister has been in bed sick for four days. She figures she caught COVID again. I doubt she is vaccinated, but I won't go there.

It is funny that you find digging up onion clumps as satisfying. I guess it beats watching crabgrass grow.

I missed our hiking spot's trout lilies this year. Not a big loss. They will be there next year.

You do have a nice colony of trilliums growing like the proverbial weed. Enjoy your success.

There were only two tulips that bloomed each and every year. I guess it was luck?

Ah, teenagers are the crossover from cute kids to adults. We have to remember that we were once teenagers. I was reading this morning on our local neighborhood website (not just our subdivision but a much wider area) where one person was raising a stink about middle school students in the park being rowdy and boisterous. Gee whiz, isn't that what kids do? If she saw drugs, guns, or other vices happening then she would have a point. But rowdy pre-teens is nothing to get upset over.

I think I may have to gather any remaining hostas into a small area, put my temporary fencing up (easy to put together) and put some bird netting over the fencing. That way deer can visit, but no tasty tidbits for them. They may still gnaw at young hydrangea tips, but no more hostas.

The only leaning plants I like are the ones done that way such as bonsai or trained to look "wind swept".

Taking care of the remaining begonias and other plants shows that a little care goes a long way. Neglect often will show how badly plants need just a little attention like water and spraying once in a while.

Wow! Your yard looks like a place on the bayou (kayak much?) I know it is only a few inches of water and very temporary, but does this happen often? We had some storms last night, but the only thing I heard was Rufus scratching the bedroom door. Then I heard some faint thunder. He is so afraid of storms. My wife took him to the living room, leashed him to keep him near her. She dragged his bed close to the couch so she could sleep on the couch while keeping him from disturbing me. I didn't hear another thing.

You can see why the viburnum leans from this picture. I plan on taking out a couple of big limbs and maybe a trunk or two of the magnolia. The viburnum needs cutting back too, but I hate to do that.

I have 3 old fashioned snowballs behind this big boy next to the fence. I started those with cuttings.

This is not the biggest of the 3, but it is around 7 feet tall now. The blooms are not full size yet.

One of the weigelas is blooming now. This is the one I started from some cuttings of a neighbor across from my parents. It took 3 tries to get it. The first try failed completely. The next one turned out to be the forsythia I have. I had to wait 2 or 3 years for it to bloom before I realized I got the wrong bush. Fortunately the 3rd time I got the correct one and they rooted as the house was bought below price (the owner had died when I got my first cuttings) and the new owner (flipper) had all the shrubs cut down. Boo Hoo!

from the deck, the big yellow leaf JM is between the very tall birch and the star magnolia. Not really between in a straight line, but as a triangle.

To the left is a dogwood, Kerria, azaleas, wood hyacinths, and hellebores under a muscle wood tree.

gold finches enjoying the bird feeder

Tangerine Beauty cross-vine is growing up our golden conifer. Here is another plant that I wished stayed in bloom all summer.

yesterday, between pruning, weeding, blowing leaves, etc. I took a few photos

This is the big magnolia and saplings or suckers. I cut all the leaders out of these small trees to keep them uniform and possible candidates for anyone who wants one. Beats paying $80 or so for one at a nursery.

fiddle heads and wood hyacinths among the hellebores

this bumblebee was enjoying the flowers

the little hosta unfurling its new leaves.

nandinas and its seedlings

I used my hoe to get rid of most of them. The rest will be hand pulled or using a smaller digging tool.

Azalea 'Mildred' in the front yard.

Alstroemeria and purple shamrocks

native cross vine growing up the big birch tree

my one and only yellow azalea

Found this while blowing all the leaves off the ground. Can you see it?

How about now?

Now?

Here is another gotcha. I was moving pots around and found something kind of rare.

I put a pot back over it, so it could continue surviving people.

a few in the basement this morning between breakfast and getting ready to go to my haircut appointment.

the tallest caladium sprout so far

teeny tiny begonia bloom

I wonder what insect this is on my rubber tree.

large leaf plants

Not a big bunch of flowers on this hydrangea (this is the one I picked up last year at Sam's)

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!

Weird begonia. I think it might be a parent to Gryphon

this is the 3rd or 4th time coral bean has bloomed this year

fyi..your comment posted 4 times..

I’m not recovered but better..sorry your sister is sick..

I do appreciate the trilliums..I bought one (green leaves/white bloom) in a bag years ago..it never came up..

I agree..teens hanging out in a park is nothing to get upset about..

a hosta “cage” sounds like it would work..

the water is shrinking..yep happens after heavy rains..compare this to the first pic..

crows today..

ever wonder if Rufus was left out in the rain?..poor guy..

never grown a shrub from cuttings..just bought shrubs and planted them..

nice selection of food for birds!..

someone gave me wood hyacinths (she said)..I planted them..grape hyacinths came up..🙁
I wanted wood hyacinths..

I like your yellow azalea..

I needed your hint to find the first surprise..I spotted the salamander..

I don’t know that many insects..the ones on your plant aren’t one of the ones I definitely know..

love the lavender/pink/green/white hydrangea bloom..

I love all of the color in your basement..

Yay it’s April!..

you wouldn’t know it according to our weather..

cold temperatures and possible snow..🙁

Thank you for noting the post was four times. Now I know how that happened. I submitted it and it disappeared (no error this time). I refreshed the screen and it still had not appeared. I refreshed twice more with the same results. I let it go for a couple of minutes and came back to refresh a fourth time and TA-DA - it was posted. I am assuming with each refresh with the same results was actually submitting my reply each and every time.

There is nothing worse than being sick. So sick, you could almost wish for death...

I had some puny trilliums in the past - small leaves, white flowers. Not much to look at. I didn't mind it when they eventually disappeared.

Some people have nothing better to complain about. That is normal in everyday situations in places like work, at home, BUT most people don't post little things online. Teens doing teen things is normal. If they are doing criminal acts, then let the authorities know about - NOT the random strangers on a social site. I saw one this morning where the poster was complaining about a dog that ended up in her backyard several times. Have animal control handle the issue, not folks on a social site.

Yes, a chicken wire house would work for protecting hostas. Kind of like a bird netting house works to protect fruit from birds.

That is a big difference in water levels in your backyard. Crows are supposed to be very intelligent birds. A few crows is better than hordes of blackbirds.

I've never wondered if Rufus was left out in the rain. Experts have tried to analyze dogs (and animals) for decades. They seem to know when a storm is approaching before we do. Maybe due to their excellent hearing?

It is a lot easier to buy a shrub and plant it than growing from a stick. I still find it amazing and somewhat fun to grow shrubs from a cutting.

Here are some layering balls that I've bought but haven't used all that much (yet).

That is the one thing my wife enjoys - feeding the birds and relaxing on the deck listening to them sing. She gets mad at the squirrels on top of baffle eating away out of the bird feeder. I told her to spray the top of the one baffle that we see a squirrel perched on top with some Pam. I would like to see the squirrel slide right off it the next time it gets up there. We cannot figure out how it gets up there as the baffle seems high enough to NOT jump on top and the baffle usually "baffles" a squirrel climbing the pole. I wonder if it is climbing our deck post and jumping from there.

I like the wood hyacinths - not as big as Dutch hyacinths, but still pretty to look at. They multiply year after year.

I find the yellow azalea interesting since I rarely see a yellow blooming azalea. It may be a native one as a lot of native azaleas bloom before putting on new leaves.

I like to take a few shots of rarer animals and insects - close up, normal, etc. I found in the past that if I took one photo of the animal and downloaded it (or got the film developed) that it was not that good of a photo. The phone cameras are very good these days.

I don't know the insects either on the rubber plant. A couple look like bigger fungus gnats and the tiny white critters may be some kind of mite. I must run it through Google Lens and see what they come off with.

I bought that hydrangea last year due to its unusual coloring. This is how it looked last year (guess growing it in a commercial greenhouse helps A LOT).

April 4th already! It is chilly this morning and will be for the next 3 mornings. I hope this will be our last cold spell. I'm glad I didn't move any plants out now.

Yikes - possible snow? We both know that it isn't summer yet.

Since I was already at the folder for the hydrangeas above, this Chinese Viburnum shot on the same day (April 8th) shows me that our early spring this year is about the same as last year. The old fashioned snowball behind the bigger C.V. shows its blooms as white while yesterday they were still green.

Rufus a year ago.

All of these shots were using my big camera.

Google Lens came up with white flies or aphids as the insects on the leaf. It looks like some kind of small housefly that became food for these creepy crawlies and I think there is a tiny spider on there as well - maybe eating the white flies/aphids.

I cropped into the leaf from the original photo. I may attach my USB microscope to have a closer look today. I could just cut a leaf off and bring it up to the computer and use the other USB microscope but that seems drastic.

I understand what you’re saying about duplicate posts..it’s happened to me too..

some health conditions are heartbreaking..beyond sad..

isn’t it crazy what people post online?..

the water is disappearing..too bad we had some light rain today 🙁..we have a freeze warning this weekend..want to come over and ice skate? Ha!..

crows are intelligent!..I saw a show at the zoo with a crow..ever see a toddler toy where you have plastic pieces of different shapes that drop into a ball with cut outs of the shapes?..well the crow put every piece in the right place on the first try!..

I think propagating plants would be amazing..I just never finish all of my garden work and haven’t tried it!..

I remember you showing me the layering balls..

squirrels are a pain with bird feeders!!..

I LOVE my phone camera..couldn’t live without it..

our “snow” was nearly invisible..didn’t stick..

as I became more interested in gardening I was sad to learn about pests and diseases..in the garden section of bookstores multiple shelves devoted to the subject..your last picture with the insects enlarged..ugh..

I sent my husband to the library for free eclipse glasses..I hear Indiana has a good view of it..

he’s going to the Honda dealership tomorrow to pick up a mat for the cargo area..we decided it was a good idea..I’m still not 100% so I’m not going..

I hope in another week the weather and I will be better!..

At least we know one of the reasons for duplicate posts, now. HAHA - do not refresh after posting a lot of pictures.

It is crazy what folks post online. Some would never do that in person.

It is cold enough here but not enough to have an ice skating rink. It was 36 here this morning. One more morning to go - probably 35 tomorrow. I hope this is the last of the cold mornings after this week. I know I am pushing it.

It seems like I read about a crow in an old book (Tom Sawyer? Huckleberry Finn? or maybe it was Treasure Island) where someone had a crow whose tongue was split which enabled it to talk. I wonder if that has any truth at all. I saw a video this morning where a crow (think it was a crow) kept grabbing a floating tidbit from the water's edge and spitting it back into the water. The koi were large enough to tackle the bird if they wanted to. Anyway, after about the 3rd throwback (maybe spit is not the right word), a small fish came along to sample the tidbit and that is when the bird caught the tiny fish. Kind of smart?

Ah, you and I are retired and for the lack of anything better to do, trying new things garden-wise, is worth the effort. I have been watching a few moss pole tricks on YouTube and think I will try one of the new-fangled poles (flat piece of plastic that has some seams that double back onto itself, creating a D tube). I was not interested in the advertising when I first saw this thing but after watching the woman try five different poles, I thought it might be worth trying for the smaller pots.

Well, the PAM spray trick did not work. My wife saw a squirrel sitting on top of the dome this morning. I was hoping to see it slide right off.

The phone has become a very valuable tool to carry with us most of the time. The folks who say they don't want one, have no need for one, and would never own one; do not know any better.

Oh, I tried my newer (better?) USB microscope this morning. I gathered four leaves this morning - two from the rubber tree, one from the plumeria, and one from a brugmansia. I will show the results of those in a bit.

Is your location in the path of the total eclipse? We went to the last one in 2017 in our old home town. It was very neat. I had two cameras set up - one for the eclipse itself and the other for all the people ready for the big event. Unfortunately, my DSLR went belly up, so I had to rely on the small compact camera to do just the scenery around the event (I didn't point it at the sun since I had no filter for it).

I saw on the news last night that a town in Texas is at the cross of the last eclipse and this one that will occur in a few days (Monday?) The small town is gearing up for tourists and sales. One old guy is making a thousand pieces of jewelry to commemorate the event (he's hoping to sell most of his work that day).

A mat for the cargo area is a good idea for keeping the original carpet/mat somewhat clean. That is one of the first things I did on my SUV - ordered WeatherTech mats for the front seats, the middle row, and a mat for the cargo area (nothing for the 3rd seat rows since I doubt we would ever use that as seats). Are you saying you are not going to the dealer for a mat or not going to see the eclipse?

We went to Sam's and Walmart yesterday morning. I took Rufus to the dog park around lunch and was pleased that there was someone there (she had a juvenile boxer) for Rufus to play with. After I got home and had a bite to eat, I started weeding more of the side yard. Afterwards we went to Costco since they do not open early like Sam's. Today I hope to just do more weeding and the dog park. Fun never ends.

Here is the photos I took this morning. The little leaf is stunted and from the Yellow Gem rubber tree.

and here is what the microscope shows at that distance. My fingernail looks ugly despite cutting it last night.

on the computer screen. It is difficult to take a picture of the screen with my right hand while holding the leaf in place with my left hand (criss-crossed).

This shows the awkward position. The USB cables are short and plug into the front of the computer.

The bigger rubber tree leaf. Excuse the coffee cup stain on the glass top of the desk!

The underside is where some bugs may still be alive despite my repeated spraying over the last few weeks.

These looked dead.

This is where it got very interesting - the plumeria leaf was rife with damage.

You might see some dots if you peer close enough. The two big white spots are latex sap from the cut leaf.

spider mites

This was either the mid-vein of a lateral vein.

very tiny bugs - no wonder we can't see them with the naked eye

the top of the leaf

Closest I could get. Focus is much harder due to how close the lens is. Dead bodies and live ones. Black eggs or frass? The circles might be hair on the leaf?

and the brugmansia leaf that is starting to yellow and show signs of damage

the big yellow dot might be a scar? Dead bug I think to the left and bottom. The white dots might be due to spray residue (sulfur and pyrethrin)

a second or so later, there is a bug (spider mite) along the main rib and to the left of the yellow spot.

I have the lens as far down as I can go, unless I remove the protective hood.

I put this paper under it.

and this is what the paper looks like under the microscope.

On to better subjects.

the yellow blooming native azalea

Hydrangea from Lowe's in front of it with 3 or 4 different Alstroemeria around the hydrangea.

The variegated form is robust and has tall bloom stems. The other 2 or 3 are denser and have prettier flowers on short stems, BUT they are not as strong growing. UGH!

We had 6 original Loropetalums planted here. Last year was the second time I cut them back very hard. They do sucker out away from the mother plant which is good and bad. I will have to keep an eye on the ones I don't want.

a pic today..the water is shrinking..

I forget our frost date..April isn’t frost free..I saw this..we live on the west side but I doubt there’s much difference..I still leave the tender plants in until after the first week of May..

I don’t remember the crow in a Mark Twain book..

we’re blessed to have the means and time to garden to our heart’s content..try new plants and products..what a blessing..

awww sorry PAM didn’t stop the squirrels..

yes Indy is a great location to see the eclipse..

I didn’t go to the dealership to buy the mat..wasn’t necessary and I hate to spread germs..our new mat..I’m sure WeatherTech mats are nice..we’ve had Honda mats several times..they were good..

it was too cold, wet and muddy to go out..

the magnified insects make me cringe! 😩..in a perfect world all plants are insect free!..or more realistically the plants and their insects live outside year round..

I really do like the yellow azalea..

I feel better..I cough less but any coughing is aggravating..

It's always nice when the water dries up from the small ponds you don't want.

There are so many farmer's tales about frost dates. April 15th is what I heard when we moved here and that could be true, but early May can have some chilly mornings. In TN it is after May 1st or after Blackberry winter. I haven't seen any blackberries blooming yet, but then I try to keep any I see cut, hoed, and sprayed. Another tale is when the oaks leaf out and they are starting here. Mother Nature doesn't care for our predictions, she will always do what she wants to. HAHA!

I don't recall what book I read 60 years ago about the talking crow. It seemed like it was a pet and the book mentioned the split tongue.

I told my wife to spray the pole with PAM, too. She witnessed a squirrel leaping from the star magnolia to the top of the bird feeder pole, so maybe it grabs the pole first and used it to stay atop a slippery bell (the spray oil is probably gone by now).

I haven't followed all the news of the eclipse since it won't be near us. Enjoy the show! It is quite amazing how quick it happens and even more amazing how the astrophysicists have it figured out to the millisecond. I was wrong about the state that the last eclipse and this coming one crosses at. I think it was Illinois but will verify. Okay it is southern Illinois.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/makanda-illinois-eclipse-festival/

Anyway, here is my documentation of the last total eclipsed in middle TN. My big camera was set up on a tripod aimed at the sun with a strong filter on it. Except the camera wouldn't work before the big show. GRRR!

August 21, 2017 at Center Hill Lake - all ready for the big show

my oldest grandson was doing his viewing in the water. It is already getting dark.

You can see I didn't worry about the picture being level in this shot.

This is 2:35 in the afternoon. Don't ask me if this was CDT or EDT because I doubt I even corrected my timestamps on the camera back then.

2:36 PM

2:40

group photo op around 6 PM

The vendor mats look great. No sense in getting anything else. I've been 3 sets of seat protectors so far. My first set had the cords break that held the cover in place, so my wife got a new set which was not as nice and I complained about the fit and color. She ordered me a new set that fits much better and the color is to my liking (Red). I bought a leather steering wheel cover for my SUV as my old trucks steering wheels were subjected to my and mechanics sweaty, dirty hands. Over time, it will become apparent how everyday use takes a toll on the seats and steering wheel. Covers can be cleaned and/or replaced.

If the magnified insects make you cringe, then don't go view this video clips I put on my Google Drive. I just hope this link works.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wcw-RwW-a1a5ST6rSFHtUgGJNIo1MHX1?usp=sharing

If you don't get better in 10 days, you should seek medical attention. No sense in letting it go too long as it could develop into something much worse.

This caladium is about to open up. I want to move them all outdoors, but glad I didn't because the temp was 34 on our deck this morning.

Other pots have sprouted as well. I want to replace those original logo pots this year.

I took the lid off of this tray yesterday. I didn't know the tray had a bit of water in the tray (hard to see when it is up that high).

Cool seeds on my bleeding heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

Another chore to do - pot up all these starters. I had 4 different leaves (one of each) that I wedged. The only that hasn't sprouted yet is the beefsteak leaf. It looks like a couple of them are getting a tiny root now.

Here is an ugly tray that I have some begonia leaf cuttings, begonia seedlings, lots of fern seedlings (where do they all come from?), and 3 cuttings of florist's jasmine for a friend in MI. I have to put a dome on this due to the jasmine and ferns.

This is the only jasmine cutting that has roots outside the mesh. The other two are rooted but no visible roots outside the sleeve (yet).

I played with some photo editing this morning. Before editing

after selecting the bowl and begonias, then adding a new background under the selection (layers).

we’re not going to an eclipse event..too much work Ha!..there’s an event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway..huge attendance I bet..along with lots of traffic..

on a boat at a lake would be a great way to see an eclipse!..what a great memory..

I’m writing as I read..afraid to try the link and lose my comment..

I barely coughed today.. I’m better..

yeah the diva plants we love need warm temperatures don’t they?..

your basement is a marvel..so many fresh young plants..

I edit but nothing fancy..learning more about my phone camera is on my to do list 😂..

your link works..bums me out seeing insects..I’m sure I have insects too..exactly which ones I’m not sure..

my plants are taking off..pics yesterday and today..

ripped out the burning bush..

yellow and a white trout lily..

I threw out my leafless (dead) macrophylla..clipped the apparently dead stem tips off the one that lived..it has bad leaf color..it’s light deprived..but it’s outside again as of today..should help it..at some point I think it got too cold..the leaves have some puckering..I don’t intend to buy any big leaf hydrangeas ever again unless I move (unlikely)..

my fragrant viburnum..

Japanese painted fern..

I think I would stay home unless it was a small party of friends and family for the eclipse. It is a big buildup for a few minutes. I recall one long ago through Atlanta. I was downtown at the office and I didn't even go out on the street to observe it. It was not a total as I recall. I remember as a kid living in Puerto Rico where the class was led outside half an hour before the eclipse. We made a pinhole "camera" and our white sheet of paper to observe the eclipse. I was in 2nd through 4th grade when we lived there. I sure didn't know what was such a big deal about it back then.

We had fun at the lake that weekend. I think we spent 2 to 3 nights on the houseboat, went out for an evening dinner on the lake. Grandkids had a blast "tubing".

Just chilling the day before Eclipse day. Both daughters and my niece (blue float) chatting while the boy in the vest is my oldest grandson (he would've been 16 then).

A year later and my wife (red hair) is going out to wave board as a "retirement celebration" conceived by our youngest daughter and my wife's sister.

the owner's son showing how easy it is. HAHA!

My niece is doing pretty good getting up and going.

my wife getting instructions on the starting position by her niece

easy, right?

she almost made it a few times.

our grandson made it after a few tries

Yay, glad to hear you are a lot better. I talked to my mother last night and she said my sister is still sick after 8 days. She thinks she has COVID. They were anti-vaxxers, deniers, etc. I would get to the doctor ASAP and start the new medicine to lessen the effects of COVID.

Not all divas need warm temps, some require intense cold. I remember seeing Lilacs the size of small trees when we visited my sister in Bismarck, ND a long time ago. They also had beautiful white birches in some yards.

The basement is one of my outlets. It is good for my "hobby". I got two more plants from Etsy a short while ago. I got an email that said it had been delivered. I went out to the porch and didn't see any packages. My wife asked who the shipper was and I told her it was USPS. AHA! I went to the mailbox and retrieved a box that fit perfectly in the mailbox.

I don't think we will ever learn all the tricks on our smartphones today. My oldest daughter told me about a trick on my Samsung for taking group photos. I can use the stylus to trigger the shutter. I just set a timer on my last group photo so I could hurry to take a seat before the timer triggered the shutter. Samsung or Google (Android) just added some new features that I doubt I will be using anytime soon.

It is nice to see the actual bugs that make our plants look sick. Now I know what I am fighting. Unfortunately, I will never have a microscope to see viruses that may hit some of our plants.

What bushes am I looking at in your first 3 pictures. I think the red leaf ones are JMs, right? What plants is in the bottom left corner in your 3rd photo? The white daffodils are behind the mystery plants. I see you still have some standing water in your 4th photo. Do you have any bog plants? They would enjoy that spot. Poor little burning bush. I hoed under dozens of Nandina seedlings last week. We must stay ahead of the weedy plants.

Nice trout lilies. Reminds me of the ones at the park.

At least your surviving hydrangea looks good. If I ever moved, I would move to a tropical or subtropical place. I can always see cold weather plants online.

That is a nice looking viburnum. And your painted fern has a lot of promise. I bought 3 painted ferns probably 20 years ago and they haven't done a lot. Yet, I dig up seedlings in my mother's weedy lawn and transplant them to pots and they grew like weeds. I even have a volunteer under our deck stairs now. How did it get there?

My Etsy plants today.

I should've taken a picture before opening the box.

bagged and tagged for potting up later (today or tomorrow). We had our annual eye exams this morning, then to the recycle center since it was on the way home, then Walmart (another store on our way back home). My, how time flies when you're having fun.

African Hostas from a friend in our begonia club and a GW member in MI.

Did I show this already?

First shot at 1x power, this at 3x.

now 10x

our six azaleas in front of the front porch. The 3 large ones in back are George Taber or Tabor (I prefer Tabor, but I've seen it both ways).

I like the oddball sporadic blooms which reminds me of its cousin 'Formosa'. I wonder if that is how they get these different colors - sports!

Johnny Jump Ups look garish in full sun.

Pink Ruffles on the side yard.

the newest daffodils (from Costco)

eclipse day was perfect..73..dry and sunny..we had a great view..husband stood but I sat on a garden bench..lots of neighbors out..our quiet neighborhood was buzzing..people cheered..10 of my relatives (nephews, nieces and their kids) went to the racetrack..that’s too much work for us Ha!..

what great times at the lake!..

I’m fine..minimal coughing..

new plants for you is a daily occurrence!..Ha!..
I’m well enough to go to the garden center now..can’t wait to see what’s there..

I’ve used the 2x and 3x settings more lately for closeups..

there’s a mix of shrubs and trees in the photos..viburnums (several types), forsythia, burning bush, Japanese and Amur maples, and honeysuckle..dogwoods and hydrangeas aren’t leafed out..I think what you’re seeing is a honeysuckle..didn’t plant it..hate to lose the privacy so it’s still here..a shot from a different spot..

the water’s gone now..

I need to be more brutal and just rip out the plants that could someday be unwanted..my instinct is to save every plant..

yep a tropical climate or I’m not moving..

I can’t tell what I have until I clean up!..won’t be long until I’ll feel comfortable removing some debris..I was waiting until after the chance of frost..

your new plants traveled pretty well!..

hard for me to say “I’ve seen this begonia photo”..lol..I sometimes wonder..”did I already post this?”...not a big deal if we post a duplicate..

a friend offered free daffodils today..they’re yellow..we’re meeting Wednesday at Walmart or Lowe’s..no final decision yet which store..

I have hellebores popping up in lots of spots..one is practically in the middle of a smooth leaf hydrangea..I’m leaving both plants..the second hellebore photo is the clump growing next to the burgundy leaf burning bush that I ripped out..

‘Alice’..my big oakleaf hydrangea..

I have 2 possibly dead young trees..a black cherry? (volunteer) and a Kousa dogwood..both have dry, hard unopened buds 🙁..

a backyard shot..

top right corner behind the tree are doublefile viburnums..the parent plant and several volunteers/suckers? that I should move..

there’s so much to do here..

I bet you enjoyed the eclipse as you got to see the total darkness. I am trying to remember the song(s) that were played during the eclipse on the houseboat nearly 7 years ago. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler? Seems like I had a song on my phone playing while a boom box had a radio station tuned in for all the dramatic moments (Totality something-something). Fun times.

That was interesting about the eclipse yesterday. We were watching a movie on Netflix (I was in and out of micro-naps) when the room got darker. My wife said that she didn't think it was supposed to rain today. I looked at my watch and saw it was a few minutes past 3 PM and then remembered that the eclipse was happening. We went out on the deck to observe the change in light levels. Within 10 minutes or so, everything returned to normal expectations of light levels.

Ah, I continue to challenge myself on new plants or new ways to grow plants. I saw that arbor at Sam's (for several years now) and thinking how I could incorporate that into the backyard (growing vines over it) and having some benches under it. I planted the crocosmia from Sam's and black lilies from Walmart yesterday. I didn't do the black hollyhocks due to 1 of the 2 plants was not there (did it rot completely away?) and the one viable root was half rotted. It was only $3.24 and I doubt I could find the receipt. It isn't the money, it's the principle. I may go buy some more green bags of it as I really wanted to grow some black hollyhocks. Oh well... I moved the five dahlia pots outside, fertilized them, and had my wife give them a drink. Only one plant had some growth (10 inches) already up (they've been in the garage without a drink for months).

Enjoy your shopping for new plants. It's always fun to see what is new and exciting.

Sometimes I use the longer lens to get closeups but typically I move the phone on top of the subject for close ups. I like to use the telephoto lens for subjects that are farther away.

What honeysuckle do you have? Is it a shrub or a vine?

Yay, the water is gone now. We had rain last night and this morning, but nothing heavy. It should help the bulbs we planted yesterday (black lilies and Crocosmia). I planted the florist azalea I bought last year after mother's day. I hope it grows in its new spot.

You are right on being more brutal ripping out unwanted plants. I wished I had done that much earlier than later.

I often let a plant grow to see what it is if I don't know it. Sometimes that is a huge mistake, even some I introduced such as purple perilla, Celosia Flamingo Feather (I've reduced it a lot over the years), Painter's Palette, winter grass, and other annuals that seed prolifically.

I doubt you or I will be moving to satisfy our gardening desire. I should've done it years ago if I was serious about growing tropical plants.

Some of the vendors want to sell a heat pack for the tender small plants they ship. I think one of the vendors, I had to verify that I would take the chance of shipping without a heat pack. Seems like this vendor was in Florida. Gee whiz, we are their next door neighbor. Surely it can arrive in a few days from shipping, right?

Free daffodils are always welcome, even if they are the most common ones out there. It's hard to beat "free". Why at a public place instead of your home or their home? If they are a stranger, then I can understand.

That is how hellebores spread - a seed is moved by animals or birds and it starts to grow. The next thing is they are all over the yard and the neighbors' yards. I wouldn't consider them invasive, but they are prolific seed makers.

That is a shame your Kousa dogwood died. I wished mine was in a sunnier spot so it would bloom. My neighbor's weed trees have blocked the sun a lot for the dogwood and it is too large to move.

I've heard black cherry (beside the song) over the years, but am not certain exactly what are the things to look at to ID it. My daughter has a wild cherry in her yard and I can see the qualifying marks of the bark as a cherry tree, BUT the blooms are in whorls unlike our ornamental cherries (Okame, Yoshino, and Kwanzan) that have clusters of flowers. To confuse the issue is I have a volunteer tree that I would say is related the wild cherry except the bark is different and the leaves are glossy and evergreen.

I haven't ID'ed it yet, but I think it is an Cherry Laurel of some sort.

If you move a shrub or a tree, it is best to do it when they are very young. Lots of digging and the weight of moving a good sized young tree puts a lot of stress on the body and the plant. I dug up some good sized crepe myrtles and one of our 3 Okame cherry trees. A lot of work.

Some pictures this morning from the deck using the big camera. I have some blurry photos that shouldn't be. I may have turned off my IS on my lens, so I need to check that.

The big Chinese viburnum is bowing from the big clusters and the rain.

volunteer double file viburnum is blooming now

The big JM

The Weigela looks bare this year. Maybe it needs a hard shearing to make it produce more limbs for next year?

The hellebore patch.

I had a funny accident this morning. I was making my egg, bacon, and cheese biscuits. I had the biscuits in the oven and decided to get the other items out of the refrigerator so I would be ready to cook those to coincide with the biscuits coming out. I got my precooked bacon out from the deli drawer, my egg out of the egg container, and went back to the deli drawer to get a piece of American cheese out. I was holding the egg in my right hand, the bacon in my left, and thought I can just grab the cheese while holding the egg in the same hand. I put too much pressure on the egg and it cracked open and spilled into the drawer. I could've just cleaned up the mess and get another egg out, but I decided to take the drawer out and pour the egg into a bowl instead. I took all the items out of the drawer and tilted the drawer towards the bowl. I had to use my index finger to scrape most of the yolk into the bowl. Oh well, the drawer probably needed a good cleaning anyway.

Broken egg (I had already taken the bacon package out)

recovered the egg

And the leftover mess.

I’m glad that I had the eclipse experience..I was in the right place at the right time!..you played the perfect song during your eclipse party 👍..

my first trip to Lowe’s in 2024!..was fun to see the garden center open and stocked..I didn’t see anything I had to have today..

that’s an invasive “bush” honeysuckle..heard it called that..it was here when I moved in..I’ve pulled lots of small volunteers..and removed several big ones..the neighbor in back has them too..I feel kind of guilty but I need the screening..

ever heard this..the best time to pull a weed is when you see it..could apply to an unwanted seedling too..

I think we’re both content enough that even if we never move so be it..👍

agree that a heat pack seems unnecessary now..

we met at Lowe’s because it’s closer for both of us rather than either one of us making the trip to our houses..I’ve been to his home..he’s been to mine..it was fun to look at Lowe’s with a fellow plant geek..he bought a plant unfamiliar to me..he said the name but I didn’t catch it..I intended to look at the tag but got distracted..was hardy here..full sun..fleshy kind of elongated leaves (succulent?) with a lantana type bloom..kind of echeveria? like..I looked at the Monrovia website and didn’t find it..I think it was a Monrovia plant..I’ll ask him..

the new daffodils in the compost bin..

for now I like the prolific spreading of hellebores..

I hope my Kousa survives..but it looks dead..😩..

not positive that I have a wild cherry but a neighbor suggested it..it’s very nondescript..nothing memorable about it..it doesn’t bloom..

we’ve moved big shrubs successfully..it IS hard work..

what a crazy story!..that’s a lot of trouble to save an egg!..😜
I bet the next time you’ll put the egg down then get whatever else you need!..

A total eclipse is a cool phenomenon to see. I'm glad you didn't have cloud cover. At my mother's place, it was cloudy so no chance of seeing any effect of the eclipse. That's the breaks. The nice thing is all the photos online and videos in the news and entertainment on TV. I doubt I would travel very far to see an eclipse in the future.

Isn't it nice when you can breeze through a garden center and leave empty handed? I think that comes with experience (what works and what doesn't or the appeal has changed over the years). It has been a few weeks since I stopped at a Lowe's. I should try to get there before May to see if there is anything new.

I don't know what kind of bush honeysuckle you have. I bought the winter honeysuckle and I don't see it spreading much (roots or seedlings). It continues to grow so I trim it back hard every 3 years or so. The fragrance is intoxicating in Jan/Feb.

It's your yard and you can grow what you want. I wouldn't feel guilty (unless it spreads to your neighbors' yards, then just a little bit guilty).

Well, I agree with that saying about the best time to pull a weed is when you see it. Often, I mean to get back to a weed but then forget about it until a couple of weeks later.

There is no perfect place in the world, so make the most of the place you live at and make it better for yourself and others.

I think I had a heat pack in the early years of mail orders as I didn't know how long it would take to ship or what the weather would be like. If in doubt, put the order off a little later. I've shipped cuttings to folks around the states in winter. As long as the box is not going to stay outdoors overnight in winter, it is usually safe. I sent a box to a woman in Turkey. She never received it. After about six weeks I get the same box returned to me, beaten but half the plants are still alive. They were all succulents. I put the survivors in a big pot of bamboo (yeah, I had 3 pots of bamboo long ago) and they rooted in. She said try sending the plants again in a bubble envelope and make it look like it is a birthday gift. I did and she received it after two weeks. WOW!

Oh yes, it is fun to go plant shopping with another avid gardener (or a pack of them). I doubt an Echeveria would be hardy in Indiana, let alone in Georgia. I could be wrong. If it was a sedum, then it can be hardy. The botanists have moved some or a lot of sedums to another family - Hylotelephium. I'm still going to call them sedums.

Oh no, are you composting your new daffodils? Just kidding. They should love it there until you find their new permanent spot. I heard that if you dig daffodils at the wrong time, that they will not bloom again. I don't believe that, but I have seen where they may not bloom for a few years after a transplant.

At least Hellebores are easier to get rid of if need be. The seedlings are easily pulled up or hoed under.

My Kousa has leafed out, but I doubt it will bloom. Maybe I should try air layering some limbs this year.

Does your wild cherry have cherry-like bark? No blooms doesn't help on the ID. The bark and leaves are the only thing you have to go on right now. Has it ever oozed any sap? That is usually another trait of cherries - the gum like sap. I ran my unknown laurel looking tree through Google lens, and they suggested Bay Laurel. It looks right, but I had no idea it got that big and was hardy here.

I moved some big azaleas at the last house and they all survived. I moved several shrubs from the last house to here with the JM and the blue deodar cedar being dropped in place (they were burlapped) and they both took root and still alive and well after 20 years.

Yeah, I thought no one would believe that egg story so I took a few photos for evidence. I also dropped an egg on the tile floor a few weeks ago. I was not going to use it. My first dropped egg on the floor after 50+ years of being an adult. There is always a first time for everything? Maybe old age is catching up to me.

Caladiums are coming on fast.

My tallest cane of Cracklin' Rosie died back half way. Oh well, a chance for a new cane to become the tallest.

East Gate is going for another light source in this pot.

This trug I left outside is full of rain water but it isn't from direct rain. It must be off the roof or gutter. The yellow ring is from pine pollen (usually we see two weeks of yellow pollen and yellow rivers after a rain in spring).

Bleeding Hearts (both varieties)

Weigela up close.

The little hosta in the original pot (rooted to the ground)

Greater or common Mullein.

First clematis bloom this year

Lithodora (I planted 3 two years ago and only one survived our hot, dry summers)

I was hoping it would spread faster than it has.

Ground level of the big viburnum - you can see the smaller blooms on the old fashioned behind this monster.

My sister thought it was a hydrangea. I can see why she thought that.

the smaller old fashioned snowballs (I have 3 or 4 bushes I started with cuttings a few years ago)

My wife wishes the yellow blooming azalea was in the front or immediate back because she never knew it was there in the past. I told her she needs to wander around the house more often.

I shot both of these over the fence with the 3x setting. It was muddy to venture close to it.

I have a long story about this plant. I bought it from WFF 30 years ago or longer. I gave my mother a piece after mine grew into a good clump at the last house. When we moved here I brought a small clump for myself. Five years later we had the worst flood in our area since we lived in GA. The next spring this plant and my brugmansias did not come back (I took cuttings of the brugs, so I was good on it). Anyway, I got a clump from my mother's several times and it would die over winter. It was really bugging me - was it too dry, too wet, what? I read up on it and found it loves water. So, it has been in this trug for 3 years now. I think I will plant it out this spring and hope it survives winters. I also found out how to propagate easily. Wow, never knew how to propagate it other than division. Oh, the plant is giant variegated reed or Arundo donax variegata.

My hardy water lily barrel is overcrowded and needs rejuvenation. The sedum around it is by accident. I think my weed whacking the bed a few feet away must've sent some pieces of sedum flying and some rooted in the cracks of the flagstone. The rest is history. I put the fence up around it to keep Rufus from drinking the nasty water. Dogs!

Bird's nest spruce with new soft needles. The Asian Jasmine must be cut every year to keep the bush from being shaded out.

Earlier yesterday

Heuchera

Deodar cedar I dug up at the last house 20 years ago and dropped it in its current spot.

Johnny Jump Ups look better after the rain and an overcast sky.

Azalea George Tabor blooms are heavy with dew/rain.

Pink Ruffles (big plants) and Mildred (small plant to the left and purple looking)

ferns by the big JM in front of the dining room windows

3 different ferns (all volunteers)

we really were in one of the best locations for the eclipse..👍

knowledge and experience makes a big difference when shopping at a garden center..
native plant advocates have a way of making you feel guilty..for now my non natives are staying..my honeysuckle..

I’m surprised the package going to Turkey made it back..lost forever seems more likely..

a photo of the plant tag of the plant my friend bought yesterday..it was a nice one..some info I found about it..I sent him these screenshots..

even if the daffodils don’t bloom well the first season I’ll enjoy the leaves..

I looked at the “dead” dogwood today..I think the dark buds had a hint of green..I wondered if the buds have a sheath? that will split to reveal leaves..no idea if this is correct..hope so..

never noticed any sap on the wild cherry..I should take a pic and try a plant app..I have 4 Kousas..planted all of them..none have ever bloomed..🙁

I’ve probably dropped an egg but don’t remember where and when..

I have an unorganized collection of bulbs, tubers, rhizomes etc..some unplanted..some still in pots..on my to do list when May comes..

you do have lots of plants with a history..they came from a friend, relative, neighbor etc..or from a former home..I enjoy the plants that were gifts..

the viburnum bloom definitely resembles a hydrangea bloom..

I went to Menards before I went to Costco today..they’re not fully stocked..I saw several customers with bowls of Johnny Jump Ups in their carts..didn’t buy anything..was fun to look..

looking forward to May..we have days of rain ahead..the standing water will be back..

my celandine has several buds now..when they open I’ll clean up and take a picture..

It's nice when a total eclipse passes over one's area to enjoy at home or close by. It is such a short show and a very long time before another one happens in the same area. I bet the astro guys have the next few hundred years all mapped out.

I used to spend hours at a garden center when I started gardening. Now I can go through a center in a few minutes. I used to visit new nurseries on my way home from a job. If I saw the same old boring things when I made a stop, I would scratch that nursery off my list of "Don't bother stopping here".

If we banned every non-native plant, we'd be in a world of hurt, especially when it comes to food. There has to be exceptions to the non-native plants. I like the smell of Japanese honeysuckle and have known it since I was a pre-teen living in Maryland. We used to pick a flower, pull the stamen out of the flower and taste the sweet nectar on our tongues. I forgot how to do it and had to make sure my memory served me correctly. Here is a video on how to do it. Always good to show kids how to do this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx4MHhMvq3g

Not only did the package to Turkey return to me six weeks later, but that I could nurture some of the survivors for a few weeks and send them back to the same woman successfully is truly astonishing.

Ah, good old Lewisia (named after Lewis and Clark, as I recall). Clark had a plant named after him as well, Clarkia. I tried both, but Lewisia does not do well in the south. I hope your friend has better luck in Indiana. What I read about it is it needs to be fairly dry during winter.

What, you will enjoy the leaves of daffodils? Most folks can't wait for daffodil leaves to dry up and go away after blooming. If only wild onions appealed to us.

It seems like your Kousa would start leafing out by now. I think mine is full out the last time I looked. Scratch the bark on a limb to see if there is any green. Flex a small limb to see if it is limber or if it breaks. Sure signs of dead OR alive.

Take a picture of the suspect wild cherry's bark and leaves (they should be out by now) and blooms if there were any. Run it through Google Lens (you must use Chrome though as far as I know).

I have one Kousa that might've bloomed years ago when I had cut the neighbor's trees down (my mistake on not knowing where the borders were at the time. I showed you my mother's two Kousa trees were loaded with blooms last year. She is thinking about having one of them cut down. I would prefer to cut the big pecan and maple trees down instead.

I remember as a kid (5th or 6th grade) and my friends had found one egg in the neighborhood. It may have been a duck egg, but will never know. It seems like we tried cracking it open (my memory is hazy) but it would not break. I applied pressure between both palms and finally it broke. I had egg splattered on my hands, arms, maybe my face, and clothes. It smelled like the proverbial rotten egg (sulfur smell). Lesson learned the hard way. I should have just thrown it on a road or driveway. Fun times!

I thought I had not planted the canna, but looking at the bags and labels, it appears it is gone. Now where did we plant it? Time will tell.

May is right around the corner. I want to start spreading some seed I've had for years and hope a lot of it is still viable. Good intentions oft go astray?

It's a good way to connect with the past - I remember more about plants as gifts than other meaningless gifts of "junk". I cannot find a better name than junk at this time. Some of the junk will sit on shelves for years or in a drawer or closet. I may remember who gave me the gift when I see it again. I got a lot of garden art stuff from one of my sisters. Most of it is in the back of the basement today. I can also remember some of the plants I've given away and to whom. The phone camera comes in handy for memories and I should document those times better.

I wonder how the botanists distinguish a viburnum from a hydrangea as some of the blooms look very similar.

Looking is always free and fun. I took some photos of a few plants at our local Walmart yesterday. I was looking for sphagnum moss and orchid bark and they had neither. I got my last moss pole kits and pots yesterday from Amazon and want to start making some pots with poles for my philodendrons and pothos today.

We had rain overnight and a small hard rain a few minutes ago. Luckily no thunderstorms. We bought some dog pills for anxiety at Walmart yesterday and gave Rufus two last night. We slept in to 6:20 this morning. The first hike back after my wife's surgery may have helped in that regard.

Anyway, rain is always welcome until it becomes too much for too long.

Your celandine looks nice. What are the weeds around it? Is that cardamine (bittercress) or maybe some kind of galium (bedstraw)? I hate bittercress as it goes to seed so quickly. It is easy to pull up but the seeds pop from the tiny capsules on any disturbance where they wait a year to start the cycle all over again.

Walmart yesterday. The rex begonia was interesting but too big for me to buy.

Our first hike since ??? White native azalea (they smell so sweet)

pink native azaleas

new observation deck (narrow stairway)

pink azaleas from this deck (middle of the picture)

10x - blurry but enough to get the idea. I didn't want to carry any heavy camera and lens on our first outing.

second deck

They replaced the old wooden bench with a metal one and put a gravel area around this new addition. Seems like they should've added a few more benches.

a new stone stairway to the canal (that powered the waterwheel back in the Civil War days)

This was the only trout lily I saw yesterday. This area usually has dozens (maybe hundreds) out. Did they all recede or did the park service remove them or what.

another addition to get down to the canal in a safer manner.

This was a nice replacement for the older deck they had.

The scene from the deck (above)

I see I wasn't level when I snapped this picture.

They replaced the old wooden fence with this new wooden one. The older one was as good or better than this replacement. On the other side of the fence is where all the trout lilies used to be. Ruins straight ahead and fenced off for safety. You can pay to get inside with a park ranger along for guidance on what you can do or not.

This is the biggest project that they added. Much better than what was here.

New staircase to the shoreline. Much better.

lots of twists and turns though.

rattlesnake ferns (I can remember the common name)

I like the ruggedness of this old pine tree which has seen better years.

10x power again.

I am pretty sure this is a Grancy Greybeard on the other side in bloom. It is a wonderful native small tree in bloom. Very fragrant.

climbing back up, I shot where we had just come from.

just a few more flights to go!

back to the big deck

and a final sit down

The final 3 plants I am expecting sometime today (out for delivery)

I still have many I want to get, but I need to pot up some of my begonia starters and start my moss poles ASAP for my bigger philodendrons and pothos.

my cousins, siblings and I did the same thing with honeysuckle blooms as a child in NC at my grandparents!..

only a plant addict would rehabilitate returned damaged plants and reship them!..

Lewisia is a new one to me..haven’t seen it in any gardens..this makes me think it could be difficult..

after a drab winter I welcome new green leaves..if the daffodil blooms start slow it won’t bother me..

I should know soon if my Kousa is a goner..

too nasty today to walk back to get a pic of the wild cherry..

I understand when you talk about gifts that ultimately turn to “junk”..I told my sisters and Mom years ago “don’t buy me anything”..

I guess after studying plants in detail a botanist recognizes every trait and knows what plant is what..

I’ve seen anti anxiety prescriptions for dogs when I worked at CVS..

I think you’re correct about the weeds by my celandine..I won’t ever be weed free..I can live with that..I’ll remove what I can and be happy that some are gone..

the decks and stone stairs look nice..wish they’d come to my house and work!..those were big projects..

I like the dark foliage alocasia?..

I went to Menards on my way to Costco yesterday..they’re not fully stocked yet..I thought the prices were high..the Boston ferns were $3 higher than Lowe’s..

rained all night last night and a little today..the water’s back..a pic from 10:30 and then one at 4..the water went down a little..

The things we did as kids, right? Honeysuckles, bike riding, kickball, tag, etc.

Huh? I guess I need some context on your plant addict statement. Ah, it just came to me - you were talking about the plants to and from Turkey. Got it!

I think I tried Lewisia in the distant past, but it didn't survive our hot, wet summers as I recall. I think this plant is from the colder areas of the states as I recall.

I hope you don't count dandelion greens as welcoming. HA!

There will be lots of days to get a pic of your wild cherry. I saw that your backyard looked pretty flooded. You need some mud boots when that happens.

I'd rather get money than some knick-knack. I've gotten some weird stuff over the years that goes into my closet that will never see the light of day again. I should just donate it to some charity and hope they can sell it for $5.

I do think a botanist should be up to snuff on most every plant in their region and then some. I'm a hobbyist and know a lot of plants, but also smart enough to claim ignorance on things that don't interest me.

You worked for CVS? I bet that kept you on your feet most of the time.

Ah, weeds will always be here. Not a huge deal until they take over an area. I do get tired of pulling and hoeing and spraying. I need to spray again today, but it is so windy that it will have to wait another day for the wind to die down.

I hope the park service fixed some dangerous parts of the trail, but I think what I posted is the extent of it. They had these areas closed down for six months.

I hope the dark leaf alocasia is a winner. It looks like a rugosa with thicker leaves. I have not received my final order that includes that alocasia.

It never hurts to look for the newest plants and prices. Some plants are high while others are low. I got a few plants at HD yesterday when I went for sphagnum moss and orchid bark (they didn't have the bark). I got a petunia, two sempervivums, a purple passion plant, and a rabbit foot fern.

Is that normal for your yard to flood like that? We have a few holes (made by Rufus) that will hold water for a bit. The dry stream bed we had put in would channel a lot of storm water away, but the rainwater has found a new channel beside the stream bed which makes no sense. Fortunately, the runoff is gone in a day or less.

We took Rufus to the vet yesterday and it was raining hard on the way over there. When I took him back to the car after his six month checkup, this is what the parking lot and skies looked like.

Some more Dutch tulips were blooming when we got home.

Home Depot later in the day (petunias)

Alstroemeria

Sempervivums in strawberry pots.

Coleus looked like it has been picked over alreay

succulents

Fuchsia and New Guinea Impatiens

one gallon sized JMs were $20

I think these are five gallon for $114 (too expensive for me)

Nice rhododendrons, but I am done with losing rhododendrons. One guy had two big yellow blooming rhododendrons that he said were marked down to $40 from $60. Apparently they didn't ring up that way, because as I was looking these over he came back out and grabbed the sign showing that he was right.

before we headed to Costco and Walmart a short while ago, I was in the backyard with Rufus' first visit outdoors. He can hold his bladder for 12 hours or more. OUCH!

The big viburnum with the morning sun behind it.

Weigela

Sedum

getting ready to bloom

some of the flying dragon orange trees with one that is a lot bigger than the rest of them

still has some vicious thorns

the ginger I dug up from a friend's house last month(?)

two Arborvitae bushes that are now pushing into each other. The Abelia on the right needs to be propped up again next to the fence.

I think we had wonderful childhoods!..safe..simple..lots of time outside..

I removed a few dandelions today..I didn’t always get the entire root..grrr

I avoid walking in the water..a pic taken today..

money always works for a gift 👍..

I know my own plants..and more than most people probably..but there are a million plants that I don’t know!..

CVS was the busiest most interesting job that I ever had..a pharmacy student helped us when school was out..she said “I can’t believe the pace here”..it’s nonstop..I worked there part time for almost 5 years..I’ve been to quite a few stores..I helped a few times at one of the largest stores..there were so many people working there I counted them..12!..3 pharmacists and 9 technicians..and all of us were busy!..

unfortunately the topography directs the water our way..we don’t have a basement..so glad that we don’t need to worry about a wet basement..

love the small JMs..just like you $114 is more than I would pay for the 5 gallon JM..

a pic of the dogwood..I see green on the buds 👍..

I used a plant app for the “cherry” tree picture..the app said cherry!..most of the branches have no buds or leaves..I saw some green on a few lower branches..took a photo but it was worthless..too fuzzy..are those cherries on the right?..I’ve never had fruit on that tree..maybe that was the first time?..

I worked on weeds and debris along the driveway using my garden seat..I didn’t want to walk or sit on my wet soil and compact it..

Each generation has their own memories - good and bad. We thought we were safe, but we were naive. We certainly had it simple compared to today's youth. My four year old granddaughter operates the TV remote (Roku?) with ease. My mother can't even operate the smart TV we got her for Christmas.

You should get the Japanese knife (well a modified version of it) from Fiskars. I bought one last year on sale (50% off) at Walmart. I find it very effective for weeding. It is sharp so be careful if you do get it.

We hiked yesterday and had to walk across or through some puddles. That is what boots are for.

Money is always rewarding. I usually hoard it until a good time comes for spending it. I thought gift cards were a good way to force people to use it at a store, while my dad preferred to give cash. I told him that a lot of people will buy gas or a fast burger with it. His reply was that is what is for - use it for the best reason, not necessarily a gift that gets put in a closet. Hmm, guess both ways work?

I looked up some plants this morning from my old stock and found one out of three. The other two were some kind of philodendron, but the search results were not conclusive. So, I will continue to look for the best results in the future.

You had 12 people working the pharmacy at the same time? Or was this in shifts? Usually our CVS is 3 people behind the counter at one time.

Our CVS in Target is often busy and other times, I may be the only one standing there and have to wait for a few minutes before someone waits on me. I understnad that they may be filling in some data, but can't they put that on hold for 1 minute since I usually only go in to pickup filled orders? They know us there, so I will give them credit for keeping up with the usual customers.

If you had a basement, then the house should have some kind of drains installed to handle flooding. Usually a house is built above the surrounding ground and waterproofed somewhat. If it still floods, then French drains sounds like the next step. Our neighbors across the street are all on a slab even though they are on a hill. I don't know where the builder put in their septic tanks as the backyards seem small compared to ours.

I don't even know if those were 5 gallon JM, but they had 2 or 3 gallon pots for $69 if I recall correctly.

Is that your Kousa dogwood? If so, it looks alive. Mine is completely leafed out but I doubt it will have a bloom.

I don't think those are cherries on the tree. The one in the middle looks like a dead fish - upside down. HA! The other one looked like a huge blob on my phone, but on my computer it looks like a sea urchin (bleached somewhat). Too large to be any kind of fruit on a cherry tree, don't you think?

I don't blame you for not wanting to sit on wet soil or even kneel in wet soil. Not so much for compacting the soil, but for getting wet knees or butt.

I watered the basement plants yesterday morning, went on a 2.4 mile hike after lunch, and got my orchid bark potting soil at the other Home Depot before going to Publix to get my Sunday paper (early edition). Then I worked outdoors for a couple of hours moving the clippings from the messes I've made to the back of the lot. My wife wants to get a new chipper now. Wow! We saw a shed by Gorilla (is this the same company that makes glue and tape?) at Costco. They seem a bit higher than the ones from Home Depot.

Today I will move some of the larger plants outdoors and continue picking up my brush piles.

The coral bells continues to grow.

Somewhat interesting veining. There are prettier colors, but this one has proved to be quite hardy.

our local home depot (smaller than our usual go to store)

The park replaced both sides of the bridge with new fortified ramps and the boards on the metal bridge.

turtles are out with the beautiful weather

so are the cinnamon ferns

the ruins from the other side of the creek/river

red buckeyes

waiting on me to get done with my picture taking

looking downstream

back to the emerging cinnamon ferns and Jack in the pulpit - they don't look as impressive this year as years in the past.

what is amazing is how fast the fertile fronds come out (the cinnamon)

most of the green stuff are Jack in the pulpit seedlings. Some are even blooming, but the giants are just starting to come up.

Back in the morning, the basement continues to demand care

This is one of my mystery plants (I thought it was a Homalomena, but Google thinks it is some kind of philodendron).

caladiums are coming on fast

Here is another mystery - I know it is some kind of philodendron but which one.

2 different philodendrons. The small leaf one is Micans as I recall. Very sensitive to cold so I try to bring it in first in the fall.

.

The calathea in the middle looks droopy in this photo. This is one that our neighbor put on our porch last year for our 50th anniversary. I water it when it gets this droopy.

I found the name of this cute succulent using Google Lens. It is Kalanchoe humilis.

the African hostas need new pots (dividing really)

oak leaf fern

What to do with these overachievers?

Bottlebrush buckeye is spreading by running its long limbs on the ground.

Celandine poppy and money plant (the money plant seems anemic back here)

Autumn fern (I think) or some other fern that looks similar. Japanese anemone are running across this small area.

I first thought they were blackberry vines, but no thorns and the leaves look different. I remembered then what it was.

Star of Bethlehem is blooming now. This was the showiest of the bunch back around the compost bins. Lots of weeds as well.

even back then my mother was over protective but I felt safe compared to now..

I have a narrow hand trowel that I like for weeding..I’d like to see a hori hori knife in person to compare it to my trowel..

yes 12 people working in the pharmacy at the same time..we usually had 5 in our store..unless they’re on the phone they should help you..

the Kousa is alive..the cherry could be!..it has more buds today..yes I agree..the dried fruits? don’t seem like cherries..that one does look like a fish!!!..a good eye to spot that..I saw it in person and missed it..

I went to Home Depot too..the begonia wasn’t large enough for $15..I like the ficus but didn’t want to buy anything that I can’t put out now..

this cordyline was on the bottom shelf..moved it for the pic then put it back..pretty but I’m not ready..

I like the philodendron with long narrow leaves..

the photo of the variegated begonia leaves is pretty..

makes me tired just thinking about moving your plants Ha!..

you said “lots of weeds as well”..my weeds are overwhelming..and I’m out more than 99% of the neighbors..

saw these free pots on Nextdoor..5 mins from my house so I got them..

1 of 2..

2 of 2..
pics today..hosta and coneflowers by my mailbox..

a peony..see the buds?..

have 4 bananas coming up..they don’t grow well for me..the bananas of my neighbors are 10? 15? feet tall..mine are 3? feet..maybe too much shade?..

a crow waiting his turn..alocasia in the kitchen..

I’m getting some green up high..

the water is almost gone..

We walked to school or rode our bike until the school was too far away and had to take a bus. Kids don't know the evils in the world. We were describing some older kids smoking (what?) to our mother. It scared her to death that they may be smoking marijuana. WHOA! I think we had to change our route after that. There are many things worse than that.

I can see how a trowel (for masons?) would work for weeding. The trowel for gardens is too thick for a good weeder IMO. I lost or misplaced my favorite hand hoe. It came in a set with a case that could double as a seat for weeding (Sam's Club long ago). That was my favorite tool out of the entire set (loppers, pruners, mini-rake, trowel, and a 3 prong cultivator as I recall). The hoe itself was worth the price.

I wonder if the price of labor today has cut down on staffing at places like CVS. There is usually only 3 behind the counter - it is just a pharmacy inside our local Target store. I may have seen 4 or 5 before COVID.

Maybe your mystery tree will bloom soon and you can get some photos of the blooms. I barely noticed our Kousa the last two days despite all the trips with a wheelbarrow past it (to and from the brush pile). I know it is full of leaves, but the space between limbs is quite airy. Reaching for the light, I suppose.

I wouldn't pay $15 for that begonia either. Someone may, but it won't be us.

Is this a new intro Ficus tree? What was your feeling about it?

That is a very narrow leaf Cordyline. I've seen them before and was confused if it was a Cordyline or a Dracaena. They look so similar in habit.

My wife wants me to get rid of a lot of my pots. I told her the older, ugly plastic pots can go. Then any pots that are broken or chipped can also go. The rest of them need a good look to see if I want to keep them or donate them. I used six old plastic pots today when I changed pots on my six smallest caladiums (original pots and Monrovia pots that I probably used over the ugly logo pots). I moved all my caladiums outside after supper. The ponytail palm, the Cordyline, Banana tree (small stature and a small pot), my double flowering brugmansia, Persian Shield, Amazon lily, and the tree philodendron. I may have moved out a couple of other plants but i can't see them in my mind. It's a start. Looking for shade until they get acclimated some.

This morning

George Tabor azaleas. Notice the brown spot in the foreground?

our new lawn service did worse than our old service. It looks dead. WHY do they do this. It was blooming so nice this year, too.

This is on the 7th and starting to yellow then.

On the 1st, it looked green. GRRR! I need to chew out the new lawn service. We have a new pest service coming tomorrow. I didn't want to, but I got my arm twisted.

Anyway, back to this morning. The J-J-U look good (guess they didn't spray it)

Close up of George Tabor.

First bearded iris to bloom

Noticed this at the mailbox. It got smothered out last year from the overbearing Persian Shield. I cannot believe it survived the winter temps of 5 to 8 degrees back in January for 2 to 3 nights. Common name - million bells, botanical name is Calibrachoa.

Grass is greening up.

I had a dead battery today. I got jumped using my wife's car (Hybrid) with her battery located in the trunk. While I got it started, the hatch had to be opened and closed manually. I ran it around the subdivision, parked and turned it off in the driveway. It wouldn't start. I decided to wait until tomorrow to take it back to Auto Zone. I think the battery is a lemon.

Formosa is not going to put on a good show this year.

My new petunia from HD. It will probably go back at the mailbox or a giant pot.

the yellow azalea is starting to drop its blooms. It was great this year.

First dahlia is up and going.

big leaf hydrangea

3 of the ugliest pots I had caladiums in for years.

I reused the pots I bought from Walmart years ago. A little bleach to clean with, a coffee filter to hold the soil in somewhat, a fresh layer above the old root mass, and a covering of broken shards to deter rodents from digging. I did six pots (all were the smallest) and I moved 14 pots of caladiums outside.

At least the writing was still very legible despite the number of years that have flown by.

No name on the pot above, but this one has the name of the plant - Peppermint Caladium. Upside down stake.

Get a load of this kid's new, radical haircut.

And these syngoniums are pretty cool.

This last one is S. 'Mojito'

a pic of my favorite hand tool..the one with the olive green handle..I noticed it’s reflecting my orange shirt and the silver metal looks discolored but it actually isn’t..I bought the small lime green tool at Big Lots last Sunday..originally .99 but everything was 20% off so .79..😂
might be useful..
time to get to work outside..will write when it’s dark..

the narrow blade of my tool is kind of similar to a hori hori knife..

most businesses need more help..🙁

I think both trees that I thought were dead have survived!..I’ll post pictures when they have leaves..

I thought the ficus was pretty..it reminds me of your Gloriosum..

loved the burgundy color of the “spike” whatever it is..was labeled cordyline 🤷‍♀️..

I was proud of myself for NOT looking at pots at Lowe’s, Menards, Home Depot, or Big Lots..I used to always look..

we have mid 30’s coming..I’m waiting until May to move plants out..

how terrible that a lawn service killed your plants!!..will you ask for compensation?..I would..what a shame..if you replant will the soil damage the new plants too?..

the striped petunia is striking..I never look at petunias..I figure they’d hate it here..

I agree with your wife..you have some pots that can go 😂..the caladiums will be prettier in a simple plastic pot instead of the grower’s pot..cute name Peppermint caladium..

clever haircut but ugh..too unique for me..

agree the syngoniums are cool..

we had a visitor today..husband took the photos..I was in back but didn’t know the fox was there..husband comes to the back door of the garage and motions to come..the fox left the deck but went along the back of the lot in our direction so we got a good look as it left..so cute how they trot..

going with my sisters to my aunt’s tomorrow to see my cousin that’s here from Kansas City..we’ll have fun..I get a break from the garden and my husband 😜..

I meant to take a picture of my two multiple use hand tools. Both are Fiskars. The hand hoe I really liked is nowhere to be found. It will show up one day. Anyway here are some examples of all 3 tools.

I guess you won't have any regrets on your 79 cent trowel when it breaks.

Yay, I am glad to hear both of your trees survived. Time will always tell.

I don't know how they tell the difference between Dracaena and Cordyline at times. Blooms?

Yay, good on you for not looking at pots when you go to the store these days. I bypass them all unless I want a specific type, color, size to go with a plant in mind. I have so many spare pots to choose from today.

BRRR! Mid-30's coming your way is not good (for me). I know that we will get one more cool (hopefully not cold) spell coming. I moved out dozens of plants so far and plan on doing more today and the days to come.

I called TruGreen yesterday and told them about the problem. They are supposed to be back out here in a few days. I told the operator that I wanted for the worker to RING the doorbell this time. I want to point out the damage he or they did.

If you have any sunny spots, then petunias would do wonderful for you. Pot or in the ground. I am planning on getting more this spring for the mailbox, side yards, and some pots.

I hope we won't see an invasion of those haircuts around town. I know some folks like a little style to their haircut, but this was TOO much.

Wow, that is so cool to see a fox at your back door. And getting a photo of it too is double the fun. What is on the deck? Crumbs? All wildlife is under relentless pressure to eke out an existence. I don't see a good solution to people and the rest of nature surviving together. I saw that New Zealand-Tasmania is trying to recreate the Tasmanian tiger through genetics. Those animals were hunted to extinction, much like our own wildlife in the states.

That sounds wonderful about your trip to see your cousin and taking a break from gardening and your husband. HAHA!

We have a garage door opener guy coming sometime today to work on the openers - the main side binds at times, so I spray WD-40 on the rollers - not the thing to do but it works. The other side needs some kind of adjustment because it will not open. I can unlock the traveler and lock it back in place, then it will open. It is rare that I don't have to do this to open the door. GRRR!

I did my first moss pole yesterday with those plastic folding sheets. It wasn't too difficult and I see some of the YouTube experts that prefer it to the wire mesh ones (those do seem more labor involved and I can see the moss drying out quicker than the plastic ones that are sealed on the backside).

Some pictures.

The yellow azalea is still going on strong.

I may have to start killing all my wisteria if this is an indication of what to expect.

the big viburnum

the smaller viburnums (old fashioned snowball bushes - 3 of them) They produce a lot of suckers from the ground.

one in the corner

the middle one and I am not even going to try for the other one on the end (it may be the biggest of the 3)

Clematis time

While I was on the other side of the fence, I decided to step into my neighbor's yard and see what they see. Not too shabby?

Yay, got one of three Lithodora to survive our summers.

An iris I got from a friend and the Bishop's weed from my mother's place.

the four pack ammo cases (tool boxes or whatever) I got from Costco. I was carrying them down the basement stairs and couldn't see how many more steps I had to go. I thought two, so I took a big step of faith and was I ever wrong. I think it was three, so down I went when my foot landed on the foam pad at the bottom. Fell on to my knees, but surprised no scrapes or hurt. Embarrassed, yes. I must count the steps if my view is obstructed OR turn sideways to see how many more steps to do.

This begonia fell out of its pot indoors and I just hoped it got whatever water came its way as I watered the other 3 pots in the same tray. Looks rather dry.

two new shoots coming out so must not be too bad.

darn!..I went to Lowe’s and Walmart today but forgot to look at tools..

yesterday was wonderful..9 of us talked, had lunch, laughed and looked at pics from 11:30 until 7..

TruGreen blew it..I hope they compensate you well..

that might be the craziest haircut ever..

the fox was eating dry roasted unsalted peanuts..the condition of the earth/humans/animals etc is sad indeed..

a functioning garage door is an absolute must isn’t it?..

so glad your fall wasn’t horrific like mine..it happens in the blink of an eye doesn’t it?..

pics..viburnum under the living room window..named ’Newport‘ it’s not tall..the tag said 3 x 3..I thought “perfect to go under the window”..a viburnum in back..ostrich ferns..the water is gone but we have rain tonight...my yellow hostas again..1 of 2

2 of 2..the macrophylla in a pot has 3? flowerheads..

bought one fern for summer at Lowe’s..$10

a close up of a yellow hosta..first time ever to see red on the leaf..

vinca looks pretty..odd leaves left bottom corner..

a couple of jack in the pulpit..

could these be cocoons?..I’m leaving them for now..finally grew leaves..

‘Empress Wu’ is finally growing..I moved it last year..

Ah, you will have many more trips to Lowe's and Walmart to look at tools. No biggie, unless you need them ASAP.

That was a good sized group and a long time to chat. Sometimes it is good to get together and discuss everything, past and present (and the hopes for the future).

Yes, TruGreen messed it up big time. I doubt I will get any compensation, but I will put it out there.

Good for you on feeding the wildlife. At least foxes don't eat hostas!

We got new openers and while it was more than I expected to pay, I'm glad we just updated our 20 year old openers. The new ones are Wi-Fi enabled, so I got the primary door on Wi-Fi. I doubt I will do the other door. It took me a while to understand on programming our cars to use the factory opener remotes, but once you do one door for one car, then the other door and other car was easy.

No doubt about a fall happening in the blink of an eye. I'm glad I didn't break any bones or have any pain from the fall. Funny thing is I just did the forms for my wellness exam next week. One of the questions involved falling. Guess it is common for senior citizens. My mother fell earlier this week and had severe pain in her collar bone and shoulder area. She drove herself to the doctor's office on Wednesday because it wasn't getting any better. An X-ray was ordered and she got a prescription for Percocet (generic). Five pills to be split in half for a total cost of 56 cents. Why even bill for that amount?

That is a dwarf Viburnum! Glad it filled the spot under the window. Your ferns are coming up strong! Rain will help your plants get off to a good start. I had a couple of yellow hostas. I'm not sure if they even exist today due to the deer problem.

I see that your hydrangea looks like it will be blooming this year. Yay! What kind of fern is that? Seems like some very long fronds to be a Boston fern. I like Vinca, and yours is lovely. Only you can determine if the odd things on your mystery tree (cherry?) are cocoons or maybe some kind of gall. Empress Wu is a big hosta. Mine was becoming gigantic over the course of a few years. I've pretty much given up on hostas for the time being. I might build a kennel like enclosure if I try hostas again.

I need to hit the road to get my lab work done for next week's wellness exam. I cannot do a fast until 2 PM, so I set it up to go to the hospital to go any day, any time that they are open to pull blood. Then I can stop at Chick-Fil-A on the way home.

I took some shots from the deck early yesterday.

Big beech is my main shade tree for my begonias.

this big birch does a good job of shading some other plants.

star magnolia

saucer magnolia will continue to bloom sporadically, but the big flush is over for another year

another big birch behind the saucer magnolia (makes the magnolia look small)

The big beech is about halfway to the back of the lot. The Weigela is still nice looking with the pink blooms.

the double trunk birch with a volunteer double file viburnum in bloom beside it

These two popped into the cart at Walmart yesterday

These are interesting mushrooms near our compost bins

The double file viburnums (the two small green things are viburnums I cut to the ground last year)

The bigger bushes I let grow.

One of many hydrangeas I cut back hard a few weeks ago. I think this one is P.G.

Bombshell has been a disappointment

the volunteer viburnum

the two hostas from a Walmart grab bag and Penny Mac hydrangea between them.

Penny Mac is loaded with bloom buds this year.

the climbing rose 'Cecile Brunner' is spreading its delicious aroma around the vicinity.

Bumblebees often cut into the flower, cheating their quicker way to get to the nectar and NOT getting a bit of pollen to carry to the next flower.

Out of these 9 caladium pots, 7 are up. Broken shards to discourage squirrels. Once the foliage is up and unfurled, I can remove the shards.

All of these pots are up (I think there is either 8 or 9) in this group. I put them under more shade since a lot of them were up . I will eventually move them to more sun as they get acclimated. The small bush is the volunteer double file viburnum.

I enjoy these florist ivies and find them much easier to let grow in the ground (I still have to weed whack them at times)

Hellebores are turning into their boring green summer foliage now.

The big Chinese viburnum

Hosta and bleeding hearts.

Oh, these were some of the hostas at Walmart yesterday. No name other than blue hosta. It might be good to get a bunch and plant a field of them (after I find a way to defeat deer). On the other side were variegated ones (I bet they were labeled as variegated hostas).

you’re so right!..there WILL be more trips to Lowe’s, Walmart etc and a chance to see tools..I have plenty already to be honest 😂..

our family visit was great..I’m so glad we did it..it would make my Mom so happy..

be tough (without being nasty) with TruGreen..maybe look sad?..it IS sad what they did to your plants..

wonder what I could leave out for the fox that the squirrels and birds would ignore?..I’ll Google it..

our openers aren’t new (not high tech) but still going strong..

so sorry that your mother fell 😢..that is dumb to bill for less than a dollar..I had a customer complain about a prescription that was 19 cents..she said “why isn’t it free?”..she was rude..pharmacist overheard her and came up..he says “are you under the age of 18?”..she was at least 40..”are you pregnant?”..she said no on both counts..he said “then it’s 19 cents”..she paid it..

the dwarf viburnum has worked out well..a pic of my ferns today..the flood zone is still dry..

the tag says Boston fern..the fronds are long..some had even longer fronds than the one I bought..they weren’t as pretty..I haven’t yet but I’m going to clip off any broken or ratty fronds..

the Kousa and cherry are progressing..I’m so glad they’re ok..I really was worried about them..

I need hostas here..you have options that I don’t..I don’t blame you for growing something that isn’t deer candy..my new Walmart hostas..pretty sure they’re ’June’..

some ’June’ hostas by my mailbox..the one on the right is reverting..

your birch is beautiful..I’d love to have it here..

saucer magnolia has a hard time here..frost can ruin the blooms..

I like your backyard..trees mean a lot to me..

love the great colors of your new plants..

I remember those hideous mushrooms..

my doublefile viburnums are blooming too..I love them..did I post this?..can’t remember..

I have quite a few volunteer viburnums..in the wrong place of course..

must be nice to have a macrophylla loaded with bloom buds..I wouldn’t know Ha!..

how funny that a bumblebee would take a shortcut to the nectar!..

I’ll be planting caladiums soon!..

I guess I’m boring Lol..I love plain green hellebore leaves..

photos today..

would this tip be helpful?..

There is always shopping online as well as Lowe's and other stores. I just ordered some orchid bark and a Japanese hand hoe from Amazon yesterday.

That's good that the family visit worked out so great. I hope your Mom is smiling to see the family gathering. My cousin asked me to join the family reunion this year in southern PA. I told her I doubt we would make it. It is a 600 mile trip for a few hours of family get together at the city's park. Been there, done that. The good people there wouldn't even consider taking a Saturday off from work, so it was always on a Sunday. I took vacation to attend these and 3 to 4 night stay. Seems like it was a one-way street for most of the folks there.

I considered digging up the creeping phlox the last 2 to 3 years. This might be the year I actually do it. Seems like yard service people would know the difference between grass and other low growing green things, right?

I would have to say meat would be the thing for foxes and other animals would let alone. Foxes are omnivorous, I believe. Dog food with meat? I wouldn't put raw meat out there. Feeding foxes might be a bad thing, though. They might become dependent on humans and some people are not friendly to animals.

Openers? I will have to see what you are talking about here.

I'm sure my mother feels the same way about falling. She is not getting any sleep (good sleep) due to the fall even with oxycodone. She said she is going to call the doctor this morning about the next step. It seems to be more in her neck area than her collarbone/shoulder area since Saturday. She is tough though.

I agree on the cost of some prescription meds. I pay nothing on a cholesterol supplement, but do pay for the first prescription. When I had my biopsy and had to take some steroid/antibiotic pills (two pills), the cost was like 50 cents.

I guess the pharmacist has heard it all from customers. I just had my blood pulled on Friday for my "wellness exam" this Wednesday. This was at the hospital and they have changed their sign-in method from the receptionist to a computer terminal (one computer). We have to type in our name, phone number, birth date, and what we are there for. In this day and age, why don't they have a scanner to scan our "True ID" driver's license. GRRR! I'm venting. Most people are a bit overwhelmed the first time they have to use a terminal to sign in, and the line gets bigger and bigger. There is still a receptionist, but they are there to assist the newbies.

I see the ferns are coming up nicely in that picture. Have those chairs on the deck ever fallen off? They seem very close to the edge.

The joys of ferns (clipping off ratty fronds) are like most plants - eventually the old foliage will fall off on its own, but to our mind they need to be clipped long before they fall off. HA!

That is good news that your Kousa and cherry are alive and progressing. I hate it when a tree dies since it is a lot of work removing it on your own or paying a service to do it.

I figure I must either deer proof the entire back yard (deer fence) or section off a portion of the back yard and erect some kind of fencing that will keep hungry deer out. The hydrangeas are also nipped, but not mowed to the ground like hostas.

At this point, I won't even care about the names of hostas - just buy what appeals to me and plant it as another area of interest.

Ruh-roh, don't you hate it when a hosta (or any other variegated plant) reverts to its original parentage? This year I want to clip every green stem of Vinca minor 'Illumination' from my small courtyard. It will be daunting to begin with, but patience wins the game.

I brought two birch seedlings from my previous house and 20 years later, I have two very large trees. My neighbor at our previous home is the one who planted a river birch in their front yard. The seeds from their trees ended up in our yard. Now I am pulling up seedlings here to prevent any more big trees. I would rather have a white birch, but they hate the summers here. River birch it is.

Our saucer magnolia at our last house always got its blooms blasted by a late frost. We moved it from the front yard to the back yard, and it did very well there. We had one very late freeze one year that cut the limbs back by 1 to 2 years. Other than that it did great. It is strange to see the magnolias bloom here. The very faint pink to white ones open first, followed by the darker pink, then purple. Each one might be opening when a hard frost or freeze hits and damages it that year. Our star magnolia is an early bloomer - often in late February or early March.

I hope to plant a lot of flowering plants this year - annuals and perennials. What about you?

This is the first time I saw those mushrooms in our yard. I've seen other hideous mushrooms over the years.

No, I think that is the first time you posted your double file viburnums (this year at least). They are kind of neat when they bloom, but they don't last very long. The seeds are kind of interesting, too. My biggest bushes are hidden from the deck view by the star magnolia. I won't cut the magnolia to see the viburnums though.

Well, you can either move your volunteers or cut them down. I am realizing that I need to start culling redbuds now - there are so many seedlings that I can't let them all grow on. UGH! I already cut down or pull sweet gums, pines, poplars, hickories, etc. Now it is redbuds, birches, willows, beeches, and some I don't recall. Oh, and I saw lots of Chinese cucumbers coming back despite all the cutting and spraying them last year. So much for Roundup? I need to mix another 3 gallons and hit some spots (poison ivy and Japanese honeysuckle mainly, and blackberries and other noxious vines as well).

I hope that the big leaf hydrangeas have a great year this year. The last two were not that good.

I have witnessed bumblebees cutting into flowers in the past, cheating their way to the honeypot. Honeybees on the other hand are usually too small to work on cutting the side of a waxy flower to shortcut.

Yay, for caladiums. I will be looking for new and exciting varieties this spring. So far, what I've seen are the same old thing.

Nothing wrong with boring green leaves, but color helps break up the monotony of green, right?

Speaking of breaking up boring green, your next photo of red JMs and yellow hostas complement the blue skies and white clouds. See, you like some color other than green, am I right?

What are the green up turned leaves in your next photo? Is that Lily of the Valley? That is one plant I do not have as a lot of people say they are invasive.

Aren't you lucky that you don't have deer chomping away at those luscious hosta leaves?

Well, now that you mentioned it about the helpful tip on using the old spice jars with the small holes, that is a good way to recycle. I always used aluminum foil in the past if I needed to hold a leaf above the water. A small vial is another way to keep the leaf above water as well.

Here is a close up of the two plants I bought at Walmart last week.

The tall bearded iris in the front island. My wife just noticed these yesterday on our way to Cracker Barrel. I said "they look just like they have the last 2, 3 years". She said she doesn't remember that. Yikes!

The Johnny Jump Ups are such a wonderful spring plant, that this fall, I may buy more of them along with pansies.

the JM off our front porch and the volunteer ferns

My new Monstera 'Thai Constellation' from Kroger's (we had to go to a very large Kroger's that carried it).

Ruh-roh, dad gum Virginia creeper in my camellias. it was bad enough with the Chinese cucumber.

Another iris in the back lot.

My Etsy purchases so far. Two are probably big enough to introduce to the normal basement air.

Rufus enjoying the lush growth of Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari). I didn't see the dead stick in front of his eye when I took the photo. Oh well.

Those mushrooms have since emerged and fallen over after fruiting. They look a bit rude. (Phallus impudicus, I found the name). Common name is common stinkhorn (for the lack of a better name).

Sweet William

More unfurling Caladiums

Bayberry Lane and a red coleus in the same pot. The empty looking pot has a Avocado seedling (fun to try growing) and had a half dead philodendron in it. I removed the philodendron, cut it in half, put the top on a moss pole pot and the bottom half in water.

The 3 plants I got at Costco a few weeks ago. I turned the heavy cache pots over to prevent (hoping) squirrels from knocking the plants off the baker's rack.

one of the very few hostas not eaten by deer. This is June.

Another pot of rexes on the shelf below the 3 pots from Costco.

Little Honey oakleaf hydrangea had a a tips cut by deer. GRRR!

I love this Encore Azalea 'Autumn Twist'. It is the only one I would buy due to its colorful blooms. My wife does not like Encore, because they don't have a heavy flush of blooms, BUT they do bloom again in fall.

Here are the big double file viburnums on the other side of the dry stream bed (opposite Little Honey).

Autumn Twist again.

This looks like another Little Honey. I did not plant it or the other oak-leaves around it. These are from seed or roots of Little Honey about six feet away.

Some JMs do not photograph well.

Here is one that does not photograph well. I noticed on my screen, that the leaves under it and the leaves seemed to be moving as I cannot hold the camera perfectly still. Almost like a kaleidoscope that was constantly shifting. It was a weird feeling.

This one on the other hand is not a problem

This one did okay

Holding my hand next to leaves gave the camera's autofocus a better target than slim leaves.

Same thing on this tall tree.

Here it is and I didn't even get the very top in the frame.

This one had one of its major limbs (trunk?) die. The other limbs are okay. GRRR!

My neighbor's American Euonymus is covering part of my JM. I need to whack this shrub back. I like the American version - Hearts-a-bursting or strawberry bush, but only where I want it to grow.

a lower limb of another coral bark. I let some florist ivy run up the trunk. I may have to cut it out.

Full Moon has been a disappointment. I had two, but one died.

This is not a good picture of this JM.

The other side is much better but maybe the camera can focus on the clematis vine I let use this JM for support.

Invincible Spirit II is budding.

My neighbor's side of the fence - honeysuckle, wild grape, blackberry, and Virginia creeper. Carolina jasmine in there as well. I'd love to have a good cultivar of Carolina jasmine.

Sedum starting to bloom.

And one of my favorite wildflowers is showy evening primrose (just getting started)

More later on.

that’s a long drive for a family reunion..

the perfect time to replace the phlox..TruGreen should foot the bill..they should absolutely know what to avoid spraying..

yes raw and cooked meat was recommended for foxes..also cheese, fruit and nuts..I wouldn’t put out raw meat..ugh..

openers?..garage door openers..

I hope the doctor can help your mother..sometimes it takes forever to recover from an injury..ask me how I know 🙁..

I’ve used the terminals you mentioned at the surgeon’s office..

the chairs by the ferns are heavier than they look..no they haven’t fallen off..

I have 2 June hostas that are reverting..with so much to do I doubt if I separate the reversion..

I bought a clearance ’Jane’ magnolia years ago..died in less than a year..

I have plants to move (hosta, hellebores, viburnums, heuchera)..all volunteers in a spot they can’t stay..I’ll buy begonias for the summer..
your Chinese cucumber is relentless!..

I truly love green..but yes lots of colors are absolutely beautiful..

yes I have Lily of the valley..I’ve heard that it’s invasive too..

very lucky not to have deer!..

I’ve described a plant to my husband when we’re in the house and he’ll say “I have no idea which plant you’re talking about”..I think my husband and your wife aren’t plant addicts..

do you think the stick poked Rufus?..hope not..

I’d love to have oakleaf hydrangea seedlings..

some of your Japanese maple leaves are so narrow!..they don't seem like a maple!..

I planted a few of my free daffodils..I’ll be planting more tomorrow..

some pics from today..’Great Expectations’..

Jack in the pulpit..too tired for botanical names Lol..

‘Empress Wu’..excited about the growth in the new location..

I have 4 of these urns..this winter one cracked..one huge crack and 2 hairline cracks..my husband was pulling to close the gap and it fell apart..

the big crack..

2 hairline cracks..

might try this..

Yes, 650 miles one way is a long drive. One year, we left the house around 11 PM and drove all night. I had to wait until the last minute of the last game of the NBA championship game. I knew it was Chicago that won it all, but I cannot remember who they played that year. We camped out the first 2 to 3 years (my parents thought it was fun and cheap). It was HOT the first year and cold the next. PA has some funny weather extremes, I guess.

Granted, it seems like a lawn service should be well acquainted with the plants in a yard. They should recognize a clear cut border to delineate grass from landscape plants. Creeping phlox is not a broadleaf plant, but it is not grass, either. I think the phlox is greening up, AGAIN! When TruGreen comes back for their next scheduled service call, I told the agent to have them ring the doorbell (we can still answer it even if we are miles away). I would prefer to be here so I can show them exactly what they need to watch for. I told the previous company the same thing, but they continued to mess up the following years. I should just dig up what I have, move it to the side yard or back yard, and then plant annuals or some low growing shrubs in front of the azaleas - maybe then they would understand that this is NOT grass?

Good luck on the foxes. I see a few pictures, video clips of foxes on FB. They are cute and can be domesticated (not sure that is a smart thing to do).

Ah, thanks for the reminder on the openers (Haha!) I put the reply down in Notepad as a reminder, but I totally forgot about it when I copied and pasted it in GW.

My mother said she slept better yesterday, but she switched to Ibuprofen for pain relief. So, she did not call the doctor's office yesterday. I told her she should've called anyway, just to have it recorded/reported in case she has other bouts of pain later on.

I think the "kiosks" at doctor's offices are becoming more mainstream. The first instance of it was at our eye doctor's office. Then it was at our eye surgeon's office. Now at the hospital lab services. I still think they should just have us scan our D.L. and be done with it. They have all the other information already. They could add a question at the end about any changes in addresses, phone numbers, health, etc. It seems like we fill out the same information each and every time. We fill out the information for our health care (hospital and doctors) before our exams or procedures and it is the same every time. Seems like the first question should be "has anything changed?" If "No", then you are good to go.

That's good on the chairs then. We watch AFV every once in a while and it is funny and dreadful when we see people take a fall from stupid accidents to having chairs too close to the edge of a porch or deck.

The hosta guy I visited years ago (he was the treasurer of the AHS back then) had several hybrids of his own. He put aside the dogs to destroy or give away (we took back five with us - two for me and three for my friend) and his possible divas for future trialing in states like Ohio and Michigan (I think that is what he said). Anyway, he was afraid of some of his dogs not being true to the markings he saw when he grew them on - a lot of them started reverting.

That is tough when you buy a nice tree and it dies on you. They are not cheap. I have several magnolias from either suckers or seedlings. I topped them to keep them compact for a while longer. Some bloomed like the mother tree. I don't know about the smaller ones, yet.

The only plants I want to move now are daylilies that I got in a trade a few years ago for begonias. I think they might get shaded out if some already haven't. The viburnums are beasts for shading out a lot of desirables.

Granted, it seems like a lawn service should be well acquainted with the plants in a yard. They should recognize a clear cut border to delineate grass from landscape plants. Creeping phlox is not a broad-leaf plant, but it is not grass, either. I think the phlox is greening up, AGAIN! When TruGreen comes back for their next scheduled service call, I told the agent to have them ring the doorbell (we can still answer it even if we are miles away). I would prefer to be here so I can show them exactly what they need to watch for. I told the previous company the same thing, but they continued to mess up the following years. I should just dig up what I have, move it to the side yard or back yard, and then plant annuals or some low growing shrubs in front of the azaleas - maybe then they would understand that this is NOT grass?

Green is calming and I suppose the color of chlorophyll producing cells? Watch Green Inferno, but not for the color green. It is a horror movie that is shocking.

That is pretty funny about plant people and non-plant people. I was texting my daughters and wife and we got into some plants. My youngest was right there with me. My wife was surprised at how well she knew what I was talking about.

When I was buying JMs a few years back, I tried for lots of variation. I never noted most of the names except common ones. The thin leaves were kind of cool, so I bought those as well as Full Moon. My daughter is looking for a very dwarf JM for the front of her house as her gardenias never bloom. I recommended Pygmy to her as it is as dwarf as they come (unless one gets into bonsai). Mine is above my waist and probably 15 years old. Very compact with internodes about 2 to 3 inches at the most.her it is too tall to be considered a ground cover. The reason I lost mine was I kept it in a container because it was "a persicaria". Mine came back from winter 3 years in a row, but the fourth year it never came back. It is not invasive like most persicarias though.

The stick in front of Rufus was probably a foot away. Pictures are deceiving as they compress 3D into 2D.

When I was buying JMs a few years back, I tried for lots of variaton. I never noted most of the names except common ones. The thin leaves were kind of cool, so I bought those as well as Full Moon. My daughter is looking for a very dwarf JM for the front of her house as her gardenias never bloom. I recommended Pygmy to her as it is as dwarf as they come (unless one gets into bonsai). Mine is above my waist and probably 15 years old. Very compact with internodes about 2 to 3 inches at the most.

Well, I never got to Gibbs garden back in March and I doubt I will be going this month either (the foot surgery set that idea back). That said, no more daffodils from Gibbs until this fall. I hope your free daffodils do well for you. It is hard to beat "free".

I had (maybe still have) Great Expectations. It is a lovely hosta. I hope to have a deer fence or some kind of enclosure to keep deer out this year. I will then try hostas again.

That is a nice looking Jack-in-the-pulpit. Is that creeping Jenny next to them? If so, then the Jacks are smaller than I thought. I would love to get some of the Asian varieties one of these years.

Once Empress Wu gets to clumping, you will be amazed at how big it is. I loved mine when they were not devoured by the *&^%^ deer!

There is no perfect pot and that includes concrete. I have six - two urns, two rectangular planters, and two square planters (thinner walls) that are doing NOTHING. They could be used as a cache pot for top heavy plants in lightweight plastic pots. We also have a concrete bird bath with a big crack in it. I thought about putting some resin patches on it so it was functional again, but it is still sitting in the front courtyard, doing NOTHING.

You have a good idea on making lemonade out of your cracked urn. What is neat is there are pots made that way - a crack and only a partial pot that can be laid on the ground like half of it was buried with flowers or rocks flowing out of it. Lots of creative ideas out there.

I bought this from our last Walmart visit - tuberous begonias, red coleus, and creeping Jenny.

I got 11 new begonias at the plant sale on Saturday. It was an 82 mile round trip. Spent more time driving than browsing.

some of my moss poles I put together Sunday

This is the monstera I bought at the big Kroger's last week. Thai Constellation

Whoops, looks like I need to add an extension to this pole already!

This is one I want to see grow six feet or more (P. billietiae)

the last batch of plants I moved outside under the deck. Now that the last cold morning will soon be behind us (it got to 35 on our deck this morning), I can move these out to shade trees and continue the great migration.

Canna Cleopatra is weeping this morning. I think more from needing water than the cold.

The great Chinese viburnum is dropping all its petals now and it looks like snow on the ground. The stump is a crepe myrtle that I cut to the ground a couple of weeks ago. I expect it to grow six feet and bloom by July. It is hard to kill a C.M. I dropped a 12" limb of it when I was moving it from the front yard (where it volunteered) to the back of the lot on the brush pile. Surprisingly, it rooted and grew. The blooms are light pink.

I have four old fashioned snowball bushes on the fence behind the Chinese viburnum. Their blooms are not as large as the Chinese one, but I think another year or two, and they might be almost as big.

Lithodora up close - not that big a bloom, but they stand out.

My begonia friend gave me this iris start. This is its 3rd year and has at least two bloom buds (the first time)

two different clematis blooms. They are so reliable. I have a 3rd clematis in this spot, but the leaves are tiny and so are the blooms. I bought it for the red color and the name 'Rebecca' which is our youngest daughter's namesake (we call her Becky though).

some pictures off the web (Pinterest or FB mainly).

Variegated Dragon Fruit!

I have a feeling this is too good to be true, probably made from paper.

I hope this one is real though. If it is, I want it!

This looks neat, but I read some bad reviews on the grower.

This is what I want to see my monstera(s) grow into. HA!

Oh, to live in the tropics.

This looks too good to be true too. I wonder if it is real or plastic.

Another plant I am interested in. Caudex forms are so neat looking.

I hope my Paraiso Verde grows into something like this.

a new silver leaf plant to have?

another caudex to look for

Oh, to live in the tropics

what an anthurium collection this is

Oh to live in the tropics

another beauty

I wonder if my wife would let me convert an upstairs bedroom into something like this?

This should be easy enough, right?

Surely this is not grown in the UK?

Persicaria Red Dragon is not a ground cover.

I saw this beautiful bush last year when our club went to ABG-North (Atlanta botanical garden - north location) I had some hunting to do to find the name. It is related to Swedish Ivy and Mona Lavender. I found it at Annie's Annuals and thinking of ordering 2 or 3. I just wonder if it is hardy as the ones at ABG-North were as big as a nice big leaf hydrangea.

Here is one of the bushes along the strolling path.

Well, I must download pictures from my phone from yesterday. Chat later on.

I like air conditioning and heat Ha!..I love working outside but prefer sleeping inside..

maybe blooming annuals have a chance to escape their spraying!..

a couple of old fox pics..I might’ve already shown these to you..

too bad the color’s funny on this one..

I agree that medical forms are tedious and repetitive..

never heard of Green Inferno..I’m out of touch when it comes to movies..

I saw a red Japanese maple on a garden show named ‘Red Spider’..had thin leaves..

I’ve had distorted pics..isn’t it great to delete and try again?..

to me daffodils say spring!..love them..

my Jack in the Pulpits are small..they haven’t been up long..yes that’s creeping Jenny..

can’t wait for ‘Empress Wu’ to be huge..

I’m challenging you to use your concrete planters!..fyi..my concrete birdbath is cracked too..we have a plastic saucer to hold the water..

I’ve seen the spilled pots you’re talking about..never bought one..

I LOVE chocolate foliage orange blooms begonias..I’ve had them..haven’t seen any yet this year..

the 11 new ones are pretty..

I didn’t know crêpe myrtles were so tough..

Lithodora does have great blooms..

Houseplant Club dark plant photo looks fake to me..

I used to buy Dusty Miller for the gray foliage..

is philodendron stenolobum the one you have?..

I think your wife is very patient..an upstairs bedroom and a basement could be pushing it Lol..

I must admit..the moss poles are pretty..

no pics today..

Thank goodness for Carrier and his air conditioning invention! I don't know how people coped in the past in tropical areas or even northern states when a heat wave descended on them. I like heat as well when it is freezing outdoors (and even when it gets down in the 50's). We've had a few camping trips in tents. The first night is awful - noise, heat/cold, bugs, etc. The second night is good because you are so tired from the first night.

I think lawn service people notice taller plants and say to themselves, "This is not grass." Anything that creeps along the ground is either a weed or some kind of grass? Oh well. I mowed, edged, and blew the clippings back into the lawn yesterday. Normally it would be in May before our first mowing, but since a lot of our neighbors mowed or had it mowed (mostly weeds), then I figured I would make ours a little neater.

That is the first time I saw those fox pictures. Maybe you posted them on other threads. It looks like you have a pet there! What is funny on the color of your last fox photo? It looks okay to me. A bit fuzzy, but shooing out of a window is not the ideal situation.

No problem on "The Green Inferno". It is a horror movie and some folks might have a hard time watching it.

Digital makes it easy to take multiple pictures of the same subject, then delete the ones you don't like. If it is a moving subject, take a bunch and hope there is a keeper. If it is static, then you can review and delete and try again.

I thought that was Creeping Jenny. Thanks for confirming.

I used my concrete planter boxers in the past to hold some lightweight plastic pots. They are so heavy to move about though. GRRR!

You should start seeing the dark leaf, orange blossom begonias at your Walmart soon. Every store I've visited has them there. We went to a different Walmart this morning after dropping Rufus off at the vet's office for a bath and nail trimming. We haven't visited this store in a number of years. There was an older woman who worked the outdoor garden section when we used to visit frequently. I hope she is still alive and doing well.

It is difficult to kill a crepe myrtle. You can dig out the entire plant with most of the roots and the roots left behind will send up new shoots and grow into big bushes/small trees in a number of years.

I think the dark leaf begonias posted by Houseplant Club might be fake. The first photo of the tall calathea by Botanic Bliss looks fake to me as well. The second one by them looks like it may be real. Hard to tell at times.

I know a lot of folks who buy Dusty Miller for the silver foliage. I never did. I did have some kind of Artemesia 'Powis Castle' (a bit of silver looking foliage) at the old place for a few years.

No, I do not have P. stenolobum, but if I ever find one, it might hop into my basket (or online cart). I bought P. billietiae in TN last month that looks similar.

Yeah, I could be pushing it if I started a nursery upstairs. I'd probably have to change the carpet to linoleum for spills. So, it will probably never happen.

Moss polls themselves aren't anything to look at, but the plants using them are.

After we got home from our Walmart visit, a USPS van pulled into the driveway across the street. We were getting our buys out of the hatch area when the mail van pulled into our driveway. This has to be my last purchase from Etsy. I haven't opened it yet. I am supposed to get my Amazon order today as well.

My Amazon lily under the dappled shade of a redbud tree survived the cold of the last two mornings. This was taken yesterday afternoon. Almost every plant came through very well from the cold mornings. I decided not to crop out my shadow holding my phone in this photo.

I staked this extra tall cane begonia when I took it out last week. Some of the top leaves were wilted. I will know if it had any cold or sun damage this week.

These 2 pothos came out fine - I will be cutting these for my moss poles soon.

I tried to find out what this aroid was using Google Lens. The best solution they came up with is some kind of Anthurium. Maybe it is, since I bought 3 different ones long ago from Brian's Botanicals. I know one died shortly after I got it and the other one took 3 years before it succumbed to whatever (probably keeping it too wet). Anyway, memory is often lost over a period of years on lesser things (such as this). I thought it was some kind of Alocasia.

The mighty beech tree has some extra long limbs for shade.

B. Chumash is blooming again (it did it a few weeks ago). I should find an appropriate pot, but it does so well in a low pan (cheap aluminum tray). The volunteer impatiens are doing good too!

I still have 50% left in this room, 10% in the other big room, and maybe 40% in the two utility rooms to move outside. Too many chores!

This pan is feeling lonely since all the big plants under the light bridge are moved outside.

Another very tall cane that needs a stake if I plan on keeping it this summer.

My previous Etsy plants are coming along. The worst one so far is the bottom right corner - it is Philodendron Giganteum 'Blizzard'. It was/is a plug and it has grown a little. The Xanthosoma 'Mickey Mouse' could be moved outside the domed tray. The four plants I just got need another tray to live in for a while.

Another tray of cuttings that need to be potted into 4 inch pots ASAP

I love your observation about sleeping better on day two of camping Lol..

you accepted the damage from the lawn service better than I would..

my neighbor called..she saw the fox today..the pic of the fox looking at me seems faded..it was taken with my old phone..

I wouldn’t mind some garden center shopping soon..I want a dark leaf/orange blooms begonia..

you never bought Dusty Miller?..that’s surprising..

I meant plants growing on moss poles are pretty..

I’ll add pics now..finish the chat later..

viburnum is pretty..

‘Empress Wu’ looks better since the rain..the leaves have ”relaxed”..they were cupped in earlier photos..

can’t stop taking pics of ’Fire Island’ while they’re yellow..

wild geranium..

I moved the high maintenance mac into the garage last night..again..

an unusual lily of the valley..

planted some of the free daffodils..used rocks to stop the squirrels from digging..(bottom of photo)..

‘Musa Basjoo’ has a leaf..

back this morning to finish..

aren’t the cold nights tiresome?..I‘ve had pots in the garage for days..moved just the macrophylla out but then back in last night..

I don’t have your energy to maintain so many pots!..I was in the living room listening to a free webinar about native plants..turns out it didn’t live up to the hype..

I noticed a peace lily was slightly droopy..went to the kitchen to grab the watering can that I keep filled and watered it..easy to let a plant slip by and get too dry is isn’t it?..

my variegated peace lily has a bloom..there’s so much dust on the leaves it made me gag..I didn’t post the pic with the others..but then decided what the heck..

I’m so ready for these plants to go out!!!..

Camping can be fun, but it isn't for the pampered.

I did get a chance to talk to the lawn service guy. He says he did not do our last service. I pointed out the creeping phlox. He said that the other guy(s) probably thought they were weeds. I told him to tell anyone who does this to make sure they don't do any defined "beds" outside the lawn. Oh well, what can one do?

It sounds like the fox is making the rounds. Looking for handouts. I hope no one shoots it or poisons it.

I hope you can start finding all your favorite plants at the nursery centers soon. I was at Walmart yesterday and saw nothing new. I hope this is not the end of the new stuff.

Never bought Dusty Miller. My neighbors did. That was fine by me.

Enjoy the viburnums when you can. Their bloom cycle isn't that long. The snowball types seem to last the longest.

Do you think the Empress Wu was stressed due to colder temps?

Well, the Fire Island Hostas do stand out in a sea of green. I can understand how you can't stop taking pics of them.

Those are some nice wild geraniums. I wished we had those. The only ones we get are the weedy Carolina geraniums with the tiny flowers and tons of seed.

I hope your high maintenance hydrangea is not too heavy or bulky to be moving in and out until danger of frost is past.

That is definitely an unusual lily of the valley. It is not only colorful, but half the size of the ones it is next to. I wonder if it will stay that way. You might have a new plant for the collectors.

I see you use rocks to deter digging squirrels, too. Rocks, broken shards, sticks, gravel, pine cones, anything that is too difficult or heavy for them to dig in will work.

Your Musa basjoo is hardy? Never mind, I just looked it up. One site says it is hardy down to minus 10 degrees. Pretty amazing! I see some around me, but I only have the red splotchy leaves and take those in for winter.

I had half my plants outside for our last cold spell (we got down to 34 on our deck the second morning). Everything looks fine. If there are any burnt leaves, they may show up later. April 15th has been our last frost date for 30+ years, but it got close to frost this week. My mother in TN says Mother's Day has always been a good date to move things outside.

I hate the posts that are supposed to tell us how to take care of this plant and that plant. Turns out, that most of them are full of hype. Lately I've been watching the Syndey Plant Guy on YouTube to learn more about moss poles and aroids in general. There are several other "experts" who have their channels, too but for the most part they start to get on my nerves.

Usually Peace Lilies will perk up in no time if they haven't been dry for a week or longer. One of mine (outdoors) is blooming. I need to clip off the dead and ugly leaves one day.

Take your dusty plant outdoors and give it a shower. Or do it in your shower. I would say spray it down in place, but then you probably don't want the floor to get wet and soapy.

I hope you start taking your hardiest plants outside this weekend or next week. May is only a few days away! Time is flying by.

My big peace lily four days ago.

The Amazon lily is top heavy so I put it in a heavy clay pot as a cache pot.

My Etsy order came in 2 days ago. Here are the four plants I ordered.

And potted up into 4 inch pots and under a dome.

My Iris I got from my begonia friend bloomed this year (I think I got it from her last year or the year before). It is nice looking. I think there are six more buds, but half are hidden under the berry heavy Nandina.

Those berries pulled the bush down and over the rest of the iris.

The ginger I dug up at a friend's house back in March is about knee high now. It seems to do better than the one I got from him a few years ago (same one as I recall), but this one gets a lot more sun than the previous one.

Bird's eye view of the volunteer double file viburnum.

Hostas and Penny Mac Hydrangea (this is only a part of this bush).

Painter's Palette - weedy! So are the Mexican hydrangeas that are coming up next to the P.P. I may be spraying the M.H. this year.

Showy evening primrose. I may pull some up and start a patch in the back. I'd rather have it than the other spring weeds.

The caladiums are doing fine. I still have two pots that haven't shown anything, yet.

A rat tail cactus that is climbing the wall and the floor. I think it is some kind of Aporocactus. I bet it would do very well on a moss pole, too. The question is where to put it on the pole, top or bottom?

We did over 2 miles yesterday. The mountain laurels are in full bloom. The close up shows the detail of the cluster of flowers.

Royal ferns come up fast and bloom as well (well, not a bloom but the fertile fronds). I bet they are in the same family as the cinnamon ferns. This one has been the tallest I've seen at this park - about 4 feet tall.

The pedestrian bridge has all new boards and the ramps are all new.

Some of the mountain laurels get to be good sized trees (not huge, but 20 feet tall or so).

We let Rufus off leash to enjoy the water. He had a bath the day before at the vet's office. Oh well.

This is a lovely little area full of wildflowers. You must watch your feet going down a steep hill (not difficult, but you do not want to trip on this hill).

I don’t need to go camping..I live with trees and wildlife! Ha!..

I guess for peace of mind remove the dead phlox and forget it..it’s sad that all of us have to put up with bad work..

I think our neighborhood loves wildlife..the fox is safe here..

it would be nice if viburnum blooms lasted longer..

my hostas were exposed to cold temperatures..’Empress Wu’ had cupped leaves but looks ok now..I think my ‘Fire Island’ planting location was genius..I see them from every window in the back of the house..they’re very photogenic!..so I take advantage of it..

my high maintenance hydrangea is small..your youngest granddaughter could carry it..😂

I found a lily of the valley photo that resembles mine..it was on a plant app along with the green ones..

the red bananas aren’t as hardy..a neighbor has one..she also has musa basjoo..the red one is in a pot and she takes it in for the winter..the musa is planted outside..like your mother I’ve heard Mother’s Day as the safe date for Indianapolis too..

I see what I consider bad gardening advice all of the time..I ignore it..it gets on my nerves too..

yes my peace lilies tell me when I haven’t kept up with watering..🙁 thankfully they recover..you’re right..after seeing the forecast I’m putting plants out tomorrow..everything in the garage went out today..your peace lily looks nice..so does your Amazon lily..

your Etsy plants traveled well..

do you think you should move the irises out from under the Nandina?..

I love your ginger..my curcuma longia didn’t come up last year..😢

that’s a very wavy variegated hosta!..I like wavy leaves..

I’m jealous of your Penny Mac hydrangea..so many blooms..

it’s funny..I love Painter’s Palette and hellebores and to you they’re weedy 😂..

I need to plant my caladiums..sigh..

mountain laurels do have gorgeous blooms..

do you bathe Rufus at home too?..

that hill scares me..I worry about falling every day now..I deliberately go slow..

Thursday my husband removed 3 stumps..one big 2 small..the big one (maple) had decomposed somewhat since the tree was removed..he used a hatchet and crowbar and now it’s out!..the smaller 2 (honeysuckle, viburnum) were rock hard..but he hacked them out..

today I planted my free daffodils..cleaned up a raccoon “latrine” 🤮..I’ve cleaned that same spot a couple of times..I sprayed animal repellent after I picked up the mess..I was finishing the daffodils when the rain started..I kept working and got kind of wet..that’s not the first time 😉..

I should sleep well tonight..
a few pics..

I learned this is a hackberry tree with hackberry galls..

here they are again!..my yellow ’Fire Island’ hostas..

Ostrich ferns and Northern Sea Oats..

We walk among trees & wildlife, but we don't live with them. We go indoors when we are tired of the great outdoors.

I can either make a border fence showing the dividing line on the phlox and lawn or dig it up and put it somewhere that is safe.

I'm glad you have like minded neighbors who wish no harm on the wildlife. Did you see the story on Kristi Noem killing one of her dogs because it didn't hunt? What a horrible person she is.

I'm happy that Viburnums are fairly hardy to keep their blooms despite the cold nights. Like clockwork, they put on a show in spring.

Most hostas do very well with the cold. It seems most damage is when they are just coming up and unfurling when a freeze can do some damage.

It's always a good idea to plant a highlight where you can see it from an interior room of the house. A lot of my plants are so far in the back, that I must go back there at the right time to see it.

I've seen so many variegated plants, that I was confident that lily of the valley would have some cultivars as well.

I grew some very large red banana trees but it was a labor of love. To get big plants, I had to put them in the ground. If I wanted to have them put on a show the next year, I would have to dig them up. I almost lost them all, but I have two left. I may try putting them in the ground again to get some big plants.

Peace lilies are nice houseplants. Good size, green, and blooms if they are happy.

No, I will just trim the Nandina of its berries and cut the entire plant back some. The irises will be fine in the mean time.

That wavy leaf hosta in front of the bleeding hearts is the one that rooted into the ground in its original pot.

Oh, I have to wait on Penny Mac and others to start the show within weeks. I hope nothing stops them from putting on a show this year.

Well, Hellebores and Painter's Palette do spread their seeds far and wide - hence, they are weedy. BUT, they are nice weeds to keep.

Do plant your caladiums ASAP. They sprout quick and grow just as quick. A good display for the summer.

I must take some pictures of my red Mountain Laurel. It should be opening soon. I had to trim and rope my overgrown Abelia back on the fence which revealed the M.L.

We do bathe Rufus ourselves at times. I would rather do that than spend money and time at a groomer. My wife thinks otherwise.

The first few times on a hilly path is a bit nerve wracking, but over time you learn that it is safe for the most part. We just have to learn to slow down going downhill and take our time going uphill. Falling is not fun as we age.

I used to remove stumps the way my dad always did it - axe and grubbing hoe. I don't bother with stumps today - if I want it out, I call a tree service to grind it out. Small stumps are okay, but big ones - not going to happen. I'm glad your husband still has the stamina to work on big tree stumps even if they are semi-rotted.

Ruh-roh, raccoon "latrine"? You mean they use the same spot like people would do? Foxes and raccoons sounds like a little zoo going on.

Ah, galls on your hackberry then. That makes sense. Also a clear picture of it this time.

You could separate your yellow hostas - one per group of green ones to spread the joy around the yard. They do stand out in a sea of green.

Ah, I must remove a lot of our sea oats -they are multiplying too quickly. My ostrich ferns are up nice, but they are still in the same container for the past 10 years or so. Maybe I should put them in the ground (again). They did poorly in the ground competing with the poplar trees.

Time to go do a little shopping.

I spend more time outside than anyone I know..I’m inside when I’m forced into it because of the weather..

I don’t watch much TV..I didn’t know about the Kristi Noem dog story..I looked it up..awful..

it wouldn’t surprise you but most people would be surprised to see how scattered my hellebore seedlings are..they’re everywhere..some are really far away from my original plants..

my pots are out!..these pics don’t show everything..the pots without growing plants have dormant bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes..I have so much work to do!..you’re right..I need to plant caladiums and elephant ears soon..

2 contractors were here today to give us estimates to replace the deck..we have a 3rd one coming too..

it’s great that my husband is willing to help me with garden work..even though he’s not a big plant lover..

yes raccoons have used that location as their toilet multiple times..ugh..

I’m very tired tonight..I had a busy day..it’s wonderful to get my plants out of the house!!..

Maybe the native Americans had it right long ago by living with nature - tepees and the like? Move the house as the seasons change. Anyway, I like my indoors - AC in summer, heat in winter. TV and internet information. Growing houseplants under lights. The great outdoors is always there, but we choose when we interact with it.

I watch a lot of TV, or I have the TV on a lot for background noise while I am browsing the internet on my phone. Kristi Noem is finally getting the attention she has been craving, but not like she thought it would be (negative feedback).

When I visited our previous VP of the begonia club back in 2006 & 2007, she had hellebores popping up EVERYWHERE. I like hellebores, but I want more than one type of plant to naturalize the backyard.

Yay, glad to hear you have all your plants out. I bet with being outdoors, that the dormant plants will spring to life and the ones that are already up, will grow like weeds. I find it hard to cope with people who do not move their houseplants outside for summer.

I'm over 80% of the way of moving my plants outside. I hope I can finish up by Saturday or Sunday at the latest. I didn't move any out yesterday - too busy with shopping (Costco, Sam's, and two Walmart stores) and I took Rufus to the dog park. I did mix up 2 gallons of weed spray and lugged that on my back to almost empty after I got home from the dog park. I hate spraying so many weeds, but hoeing is more labor intensive. The day before, we put in 2.6 miles on the trails. Later in the day, I moved out plant after plant. I set my watch to walking and recorded 2.2 miles after almost 2 hours of that activity. Gardening does give us some exercise.

I'm glad I insisted on Trex for our deck, but I wished I had a better railing than what the deck guy put in. We may get the railing replaced one of these days.

Your husband sounds like a good guy, helping you out with your hobby. My wife helps out some, usually when the job or project is bigger than what I could handle by myself. She would be great with a bulldozer.

Be glad you don't have llamas or alpacas. I hear they use the same spot for their "latrine".

We soon fall into our relaxed pace after working our plants like busy beavers in the spring. Then fall arrives and we once again busy ourselves catering to our gardens. Is there a better way? Move into an apartment with no plants to tend to? Join the military that is always on the go?

A fisherman at Rufus' drinking spot. How did he get out there without falling in. I guess he has better footing than I have. Maybe being a lot younger helps too.

The warehouse that looks like it is finished. They installed this chain link fence around the catch basin/pond since last year. It must've been half a mile of fencing.

That is my hiking pole leaning against the fence.

I don't know if this is the halfway point for this warehouse, but it is very long.

And the thing about this warehouse is I think there is an identical one on the other side (can't see it for this building)

My hiking pole between two stands of Jack in the pulpit plants.

It is a shame that the flowers hide the coloring with their arched hood.

A bigger plant a little further on the other side of the service road.

One of my Selph's Mahogany survived very well the two cold nights last week. The two canes in the same pan were broken stems that I cannot throw out, so now they have a new home.

My red mountain laurel in bloom again.

My biggest hydrangea towers over this 4 to 5 foot tall mountain laurel.

Another begonia moved outside for summer.

Some of my canes. I am getting very close of moving all my begonias outside. Still have some other oddball plants such as alocasia, philodendron, monstera, etc.

another begonia

saw these two box turtles next to the wisteria vine

This one had some shell damage earlier in its life - maybe a lawnmower?

variegated weigela

found this young little anole on one of my new moss poles.

I finally got around to potting up my begonia starts

12 four inch pots in a tray

7 in this tray. The other cuttings of beefsteak are very slow to take, so they remain their pellets and under a lid.

dog park with Rufus and Paco.

Did you see the JMs at Costco yet? How many are you buying?

hydrangeas ready for sale as well

I did buy these two aroids there. The one on the left is Monstera Peru, but I don't know the one on the right, yet.

The begonia I got at Walmart a couple of weeks ago is on our front porch.

My friend gave me a start of this iris 2 to 3 years ago. I already mentioned this earlier, but it has bloomed quite a bit since then.

with Nandina down

and up

Ye Olde Boxwoods

I wonder when I will see this crinum in bud. Should be soon.

Sedum in bloom. Lovely to see every year.

I hate it when I find a beautiful plant on line but no name is given. I am pretty sure this is a Syngonium, but what is the name. So, I can start looking for one to buy! HA!

Well, it looks like the second turtle picture did not come through, so here it is. It might have even damaged its neck looking closely at the photo.

we definitely enjoy modern conveniences don’t we?..

bad news travels fast..Kristi Noem can’t hide from her actions can she?..

when I bought my first hellebore I didn’t know they spread so well..for me it’s great but I can see not everyone would think so..

we had a nice rain the first night my plants were out..the dust is gone!..

still waiting to hear from contractor number 3 on a deck bid..we might forget about a third estimate and go with one of the 2 guys we’ve met..

my husband was wonderful today..the old neighbors had a few railroad ties to mark some of the boundary..the new neighbor put in a fence..it’s inside the line due to trees..he has just a foot or so beyond the fence..now the railroad ties feel as if they’re on our side..they’re rotted and a tripping hazard..they’re barely above ground level..I asked him if we could remove them..he said sure..my husband took them out today..the red line shows where they were..my husband left a trail through the woods dragging one away..I started filling the trench with leaves as he worked..we’ll need some soil too..