Crocosmia is both the botanical and common name for this plant. I find it interesting there seems to be no two-part Latin species name for the ones you buy here in the United States. On plant tags, you will find them called Crocosmia with the variety/cultivar listed next: Crocosmia ‘Fire King’, Crocosmia ‘Citronella”, and Crocosmia […]
Light: Full to part sun. Soil and water: Average garden soil. Likes the soil to be moist to wet but it will tolerate drought conditions. The drier the soil, the less it will spread. Hardiness Zone: 3-9. Size and shape: 3-4 ft. Upright. Does not need to be supported. Bloom period and color. Deadheading: Pink or […]
Attracts hummingbirds! This is a vine which must have vertical support and unless you are in the southern parts of our southern states, either grow it as an annual vine or as a container vine that can be brought in for the fall, winter and early spring. Mandevilla will not tolerate one moment of frost. […]
The botanical name is important because there are two Monardas generally available at garden centers and in online catalogues – both have been hybridized. Monarda didyma and Monarda fistulosa. Monarda didyma’s common name is Scarlet Bee Balm and this plant is the hummingbird magnet – it is always red. Monarda fistulosa is Wild Bergamot. It […]
If you were watching the bird feeder livestream this morning between 9:15 and about 9:30AM Central Time, you saw no birds, but you did see a large, beautifully furred, well taken care of gray cat sitting on the ground under the feeders. I was upstairs talking on the phone and happened to glance out the […]
A hummingbird magnet! Native to parts of the U.S. – generally our southern states. It has also been declared a noxious weed in some areas so consult your state’s website that deals with plants. If you are going to grow a Trumpet Vine, then you must take care of it by regularly pruning it and […]
If you have been watching the livestream, for the last few weeks, you know that here in central Illinois, we are still in a deep freeze. As I am typing this, I am looking across the room at the computer that runs livestream camera and I see by the weather report it is 9°F. And […]
This 12-minute film was sent to me by Trish R. from California. I have placed it in Essays and Poems because it is both. A beautiful essay with poetic elegance about one man in nature. Observing birds. This is a quote: “Immersed in the songs of blue jays, yellow-throated warblers, and red-shouldered hawks on his […]
Is it cold or what! No matter where people live – be it Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Kansas, North Carolina, Alabama, or even California – most people are cold the moment they step outside. Temperatures just about everywhere are colder than normal. We here in central Illinois always have about 5-7 nights of below 0 in January, […]