Rewilding and an Early September Walk

I have been thoroughly entertained by a flock of hummingbirds as they zoom with intricate combat maneuvers, fighting for supremacy over the the hummingbird feeder.One particular hummer, a young male, has been a steadfast defender of the feeder for several days, staying at his post with unwavering determination.I wonder if I will have to take down the feeder to encourage him on his way, though I have read that hummingbirds will respond to an internal call for migration once the weather turns cooler and the days shorten.

I enjoy watching  and listening to wildlife in my garden as much as I enjoy growing beautiful plants. I am very fortunate, and I am reminded of a TED video a friend recently shared with me. It takes about eight minutes to watch, but I think you will be glad you took the time. It is about fascinating experiments in rewilding and reminds us of the remarkable interconnections of the earth's ecosystems:

http://blog.ted.com/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-7-fascinating-experiments-in-rewilding/ 

Meanwhile, leaving the hummers whizzing about the feeder, I walked around the early September garden. Some of these images are similar to ones I posted in August, but the garden has a softer quality. Late afternoon light transforms the garden into a glitter fest, as if fairies have come through, spreading magic with their sparkling wands. The temperature is mellowing, and the humidity is supposed to break this week, which will make me VERY happy. A few leaves are already beginning to turn. 

I will start with the woodland garden, where molten light flows through the trees and over the moss paths:

Pots on the stone steps leading to the woodland garden.

Clockwise from top left: Variegated hosta, impatiens and variegated ivy make a common but effective combination in an urn near the patio; A wood fern in the woodland garden; Sedum in an old concrete planter on the patio; Hardy begonia growing by a woodland path.

Deodar cedar 'Feelin'Blue' grows on the sunny edge of the woodland garden. It is one of my favorites.

Finally, here are a few images taken around the front garden:

Colocasia escolenta 'Blue Hawaii'

Have a wonderful week!    Deb

In the February Garden

A wintry storm with bitter cold temperatures is headed our way, though whether it actually arrives is another matter. Forecasters tend to get excited and talk for days about any sort of ice or snow, but often it fizzles out and we all end up with extra milk and bread for no good reason. (The grocers in our area must be thrilled whenever winter precipitation is predicted, as everyone is obligated to stock up for blizzard conditions, even if only a dusting of snow is forecast. This is tradition.)

Yesterday, while Lou went to the store for emergency milk and bread, I went for a walk around the garden. There are a few flowers blooming in anticipation of spring, which, winter storm or not, should be here in a few weeks.

Flowering quince, Chaenomales, is one of the earliest signs of spring and will continue to bloom profusely for weeks:

Hellebores also are early bloomers, and their flowers will persist for months, all of them eventually shading to pale green:Fortunately, most of my daffodils are not yet blooming and should do OK through the winter storm, but a few are flowering. I am glad I got to see them before they got zapped:Here are some more scenes around the February garden:

You may note the Nandina domestica, growing above. This has proven to be terribly invasive, and I have pulled hundreds of these plants out of my woodland garden. The area shown here is a wild area immediately adjacent to the garden. I have given up trying to eradicate them all, and I am now content to keep them under control. My neighbors love these, and one can still find them for sale. Sigh. At least they are pretty.

I will end with a few pot shots, focusing on details, since most of these containers are empty, waiting for spring: