The Garden of Bogturtle

                                   The Deer found nothing of interest in the leftovers and table scraps I throw out to the wildlife but I seldom get such an excellent close up, although they are around all the time.  Quite brilliant. The Nandina domestica 'Harbor dwarf' really is a dwarf form of the plant. It has never flowered or fruited here. The common name is 'Heavenly Bamboo'. Several tries at getting this form of Nandina established. Cannot say why. Finally it looks like it will grow. At the base of the Red Cedar tree where we park the vehicles. And, perhaps, more dark will disappear as the last of the chlorophyll leaves.  The amazing form I think is called 'Firepower'.  This bright yellow plant is a deciduous Rhododendron named R. mucronulatum 'Alba'. Could have planted the much commoner purple-pink or orchid colored form. Dislike the color. So I planted this, which will bloom...

The Silverbell Tree that oversees where we leave the parking area is a clear yellow. Quite a spectacular tree, in Spring, found naturally near rivers in our Southern mountains.  This one Fothergilla always takes on this spectacular red. I always wonder that this shrub is so seldom used in landscaping, as its unusual Spring flowers, slow growth rate and this Fall color should make it more popular. Another native of our Southeastern mountains, I think. And normal and dwarf sorts have become more commonly available, over the years.   Another southern native, the Oakleaved Hydrangea is shown here in one of the most popular and vigorous sorts. From Princeton University, I think. H. quercifolia 'Snow Queen'. Blowing away the leaves from the drive is a pleasant chore, every 3 or 4 days. And a layer of them has been added to all I put over some Daffodil bulbs I dug up. An experiment and possible alternative to planting them. Several inches of woodchips, grass clippings and leaves...

Two female Ilex verticellata are loaded with berries, and, unfortunately, the Robins that will move down from Canada and Northern States will get them all. The berries will not decorate bare branches for Christmas. Both shrubs are named clones of the Winterberry Holly. The red is a dwarfer clone called I. v. 'Sprite' and the yellow I.v. 'Harvest Gold'. I think the necessary male, that provides the pollen, is in the corner of the house, nearby. This silver leaved clone of the Cyclamen hederaceae should show its white flowers in Spring and be evergreen. Only one of several that were here among the Violets in the lens shaped Rose bed just outside this additions windows. Some plants are particular regarding soil pH and some don't seem to care. But finding out which really are fussy is not always easy. This soil is usually acid, so that might be why the other two Cyclamen corms did not survive. They can grow the size of a dinner plate, apparently.  Really just anticipati...