Ha ha, VV, like you'd ever make an omelette with Robin's eggs!
If you want to know which plants birds would like us to grow in our gardens, I highly recommend this book written by a Kentucky author, Thomas G. http://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Birds-Thomas-G-Barnes/dp/0813120713
There's an appendix with lists of native trees, shrubs and vines and the birds, butterflies and mammals that are attracted to each one.
Sally, I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't watched Downton.
Your Neck of the Woods part 14
A Robin has nested in one of the Rhododendrons in my front yard for several years. A Catbird gets a Boxwood by the front door, and other birds fight over the Azaleas. They love my overgrown shrubs.
To all the comments about the Weeping Larch (Larix kaempferi 'Pendula')...
That is one of a pair that flank the front steps. These came from Roy Klehm in Chicago as 5G plants, and were planted at the front steps in 1990 when we built the house.
They survived the heavy clay, next to no watering for the first seven years till we got city water - and even widening the steps one year and replacement of all the porch rails another year.
The way they've been trained along the railiings - now down to the corners 20' away - is one of life's happy accidents.
Hard to beat the unusual shade of summer green, the bronzy golden fall tones - and the exquisite feathery texture of those needles.
Unusual and graceful railing accent.
By the way, nice new railing- I chose the same style when we did ours 3 years ago.- right down to the paint color, looks like!
Beautiful!
I too love Downton but we didn't watch it last night because we missed the first few minutes so we'll probably catch it on demand tonight.
who's getting it?
Up near MD PA line it says its windier and heavier.
Down here by the Bay, it's sifting down and will get heavier this evening. I'm thinking I'll be expected to go to the 'brary for my pm shift and then sent home in the thick of it. Which is not a huge deal to me. I don't want to start burning leave hours already.
Here--NE Baltimore Co.--very light snow drifting down--like a drizzle...
Crass was covered but now is melting a bit--just splotchy.
Roads and walkways are wet and clear.....The salt trucks went by earlier.
Have to venture outside to throw down a good amount of seeds.
Haven't gotten any further with gluing my tube feeder back together.
The worst is predicted tonight into tomorrow morning--possibly 6".
All schools are closed. G.
Ric, Was out this morning to check the bird feeders and shoveled the path that he made a few days ago. He said 2-3 inches and very powdery could have probably blew it with his leaf blower. But they are showing more to come later today or tomorrow and then again on Thursday. Tons of birds you there, Ric says more than 50+.
So far, just a dusting. The road is clear. Temp right around freezing.
Something creative to try for those who get more wet snow...
WOW, VV, I've never seen anything like it!
What is the conifer in the background of the first picture? The tall narrow one with an interesting "skirt" at the bottom?
Oh that is so cute. LOL Looks like it is snowing again. Can't shovel but I told Ric that I'll go out and blow the snow if that works.
Junk food = junk birds. my example today-
I put some pork drippings from the freezer into one of the suet cages last week. Today I have starlings, first time this winter, and on the pork fat. I get the same effect with crusts of bread or baked goods.
Cute Snoopy!
Nice Snoopy! There's a house near us that made a dinosaur from the snow Friday night. I think it's a Triceratops.
VV - that larch is really nice. Every time you post photos I think it is about time I learn something about conifers and shrubs and add some to the landscape around here. The acreage around my place is all deciduous forrest, and most of my gardening additions to date have just been shade perennials with a few, but not many, shrubs.
Heya Sally, I have the Downton Seasons 1 - 3 on DVD. I can bring them to the seed swap if you are interested and you could watch at your leisure. I'd want them back at some point, but there wouldn't be any hurry - spring swap, fall swap, or whatever. Let me know if you want me to bring them and I'll throw them in my seed stash so I won't forget :)
V V--
How many Larches are there in the whole railing?
If you say "ONE"--It will be beyond amazing.....Gita
Gita, I thought he said he put in a pair of specimens when the house was built, one on each side of the porch steps. Definitely amazing!
Not enough snow here for anything but looking pretty... maybe we'll get some more tonight? I think we'll try snow painting this afternoon, as there's at least enough to about cover the grass... fun to spray with colored water.
Today was a teachers' work day, so there wasn't any school anyway. I'm not sure where Joyanna's friends on the court are today, but I'm enjoying having her to myself. :-) We're doing a little of everything, from crafts to laundry. We just finished assembling school outfits, something we do every couple of weeks to save time in the morning... sometimes she puts together something different; other times it's just grab & go.
Well--even ONE per side--and the way it grows on the railing for 20 feet is most amazing....
Such a pretty green privacy fence....
Quote from sallyg :
Junk food = junk birds. my example today-
I put some pork drippings from the freezer into one of the suet cages last week. Today I have starlings, first time this winter, and on the pork fat. I get the same effect with crusts of bread or baked goods.
Sally, you're so right. Starlings love any kind of suet from what I've seen. Bread, baked goods, milo and cracked corn are among the things that attract junk birds. BTW, my local bird store sells pure suet blocks for $2.85 in case you ever want any more.
Muddy, THAT is a good price! Too bad I ordered the ten at 3:30 ea. The bird store near me wanted five dollars plus
I'll buy some from you if you don't think you'll be able to use them all.
I'll take a couple, too... haven't found pure suet locally.
ssgardener:
That conifer is a Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika). A very narrow species native to Europe, it makes a great tall evergreen that requires little ground space.
aspenhill:
The State Arboretum of Virginia (near Winchester, VA) is around an hour from you - in the less-traveled direction. It would be quite worth a visit to see many conifers and how they perform in conditions similar to yours. Or just invite me by on my annual trek to and from DC in late April.
Gitagal:
Yes, one Larch going 20 feet in one direction, and another Larch going 20 feet in the other direction. I am pretty happy with how that has all turned out in appearance, as well as the relative ease of growing these plants under less than stellar conditions. They are a great foil for just about every other kind of plant, and then they really shine with their fall colors.
VV, Picea omorika is now on my buy list!
Which cultivar do you have? Yours looks more interesting than the straight species, and not contorted like 'Pendula.'
We've gone here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1385502/
