Pachysandra Gone Wild

Pachysandra terminalis 

This is the hardy groundcover, Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge), which I planted several years ago in the back yard, to cover a dip in the ground left after a cottonwood tree was removed by the former house owner. Now this creeping vine has spread in a thick cover where chipmunks hide.

Unfortunately, now it harbors mice or small rats which I saw darting out to feed on the birdseed that have fallen to the ground. This weekend we'll mow half of the pachysandra down and confine it to the dip in the ground. It had moved over into the grass, and though it looks lovely, it's gone wild, in more sense than one!

I may even stop feeding the birds for a while to make sure the rodents clear out. Where is that roving black neighborhood cat, the one that used to patrol the backyard in the mornings, now that I need it?

Pink Lotus

This lovely pink lotus was in water in a huge pot at the front door of a hotel in Irago, Japan by the sea. The pink lotus is considered by Buddhists as the "supreme lotus"; lotus flowers are the symbol of purity.

I got a shot of the lotus seeds in the pod as well as this almost perfect bud. 

Goodbye, Shishigashira

I can't hide it any longer. My lovely shishigasira lion's head maple tree has died. Only the lower branches came back last year after a very cold and very wet winter, and this year those few branches didn't make it either. I had to admit it. The lovely five-foot tree was gone.

What happened? It was planted in a lower spot where a cottonwood stump had been removed, and it was surrounded by hardy ground cover. That meant that the pounds and pounds of snow that covered the roots just stayed there and flooded it with too much water in spring.  I read much later that the lion's head maple doesn't like it's feet to be kept wet.

I have the old photos of it, but now realize I planted it in the wrong place. It should also have had more sun.  

How many of you have had better success with these trees?

Yellow and Coral Spring Surprises

I hope the bees come soon so I'll have sour cherries this summer!

This young japonica or ornamental quince bush, chaenomeles speciosa, surprised me with multiple buds this spring. I took this at night with shaking hands, so must get a better picture when more of the coral buds open up.

This twiggy bush also gave more blooms this spring than last year. It's getting more sun this spring and should bloom all summer. Darn! I forgot the name!

Arts and Culture Commemorative Trophy

I'm honored to have a Commemorative Trophy from Raquel Crusoe, classical pianist and professor of music from Minas Gerais, Brazil, celebrating her blog's first anniversary and reaching 1,000 friends. Please check out her music videos and other artist performances on Raquel Crusoe - Arte e Cultura.

Queridos amigos !

Eu não poderia deixar passar em branco esse momento em que alcançamos a marca dos 1 000 amigos e leitores. Agradeço a Deus, nosso maior e melhor Amigo, por termos encontrado um ao outro.

Obrigada pela presença de vocês em nossa vida e nesta jornada em prol da Arte e Cultura. Por esta razão, para estarmos cada vez mais juntos, ofereço este Troféu Comemorativo para registrarmos este momento ímpar.

Ficarei muito feliz em vê-lo no espaço de cada um, espaço este que no dia a dia se transforma mais e mais em nosso.

Vocês valem Ouro !

Com muito carinho,
Raquel

I used Google Translator to translate from Portuguese to English. Raquel thanks her followers with this trophy to honor Arts and Culture and the one year anniversary of her music blog.

Thinking Purple-Pink

Looking forward to more purple-pinks in the garden this summer. Right now it looks pretty white, with more snow expected! In the woods it's okay, but in my backyard? I'm imagining summer pinks!

Two Spots of Winter Color in the Snow

The Euonymous Wintercreeper bush above has kept its yellow-green leaves through the freezing temps and snow. It's labeled for zones 5-8.




The red berries of the Rockspray Cotoneaster have survived the winter and the birds, who also use the birdfeeders in the backyard and in the neighborhood to get food in winter.

No other bush or tree in the backyard have color, other than brown/black and white, and the dark green leaves of hardy rosebushes.

The pictures are foggy because of the weather and because i took them from inside the house,looking out through a glazed window!