The Garden of Bogturtle

  Acer palmatum 'Fjelheim', the dwarf witches broom of the commoner 'Sango Kaku', shows how the bark loses its red, after a year or two. But the little tree does show up well against the green of the Kerria bush.  Could not resist this, while I sat at breakfast, 12/30. A ray of Sun hitting the little maple, making it especially brilliant. Just the dwarf form of the Heavenly Bamboo, or Nandina domestica, again.  called 'Harbor Dwarf.  Cannot explain why it has never bloomed or gotten the ornamental berries.  Acer palmatun 'Bijou' was chosen for the yellow bark. Not about to move it.  Likely it is rooted in the ground, now. Little I say is new. The colored bark Dogwood, Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' is so vigorous that it is relegated to the lawn edge, between some Witchhazel trees and the lawn.  As I have stated, time after time, being home, retired, my attention went to plants that would bloom in Winter. Among those here are this Witchhazel Hamam...

Another 'Blue Shadow' Fothergilla. Nicely backed by dark green of a Leucothoe and Rhododendron.  A shrub that would challenge the noted 'Burning Bush' Euonymus alata, seen everywhere. Shown not coloring as it should, being in considerable shade. This is Enkianthus perulatus, and even while not colored the scarlet, it seems brilliant and somewhat fluorescent. Very much surprised that the Japanese sort of Cornell, C. officianalis, has colored nicely. In the photo, the dark green, in the distance, is the more commonly known European Cornell, or Cornelian Cherry, C. mas.  Shown before, Acer planatum 'Fjelheim' is taking on its usual Fall apricot color. I would not have planted either of the Halesias on the property for their Fall color, but they do turn a fine gold. This is Halesia triptera. The Hamamelis trio again, with Cornus mas to the right. The brightly colored, to the left, is a Sassafras tree. Certainly not welcome in the border of where we park. The brightl...

  Looking from where we park, across the green mass of vines on the fence that hides the side of the above ground pool. The mass of golden yellow, down low is Aesculus parviflora. Now a real colony of two distinct clones. One of these Buckeyes blooms about two weeks earlier than the other, so they may not hybridize, but there are many poisonous buckeyes, this year, and many that have started up from other years.  Taken from the front porch, the little tree shaped Peegee Hydrangea is on the left. Then the wild, typical white flowered Dogwood. Then the equally reddish Viburnum mariessi, and closest and overhead, the old red flowered Dogwood, planted the first year we got here.  Never really work, this season, blowing the leaves off the drive must be done every couple of days. But the woods are beautiful and, today, the weather was perfect. Epimedium sufureum. Unusual that one tiny sprout has taken on red. The leaves will endure, but are so ratty by February that I string tr...

Red Admiral Butterfly   Dwarf Lilyturf, Dwarf Mondo Grass, Dwarf Lirope. Ophiopogon japonicus.  Green all year round and only 2 or 3 inches tall, it is one of the plants that absolutely needs protection from being buried by neighbors. A miniature Veronica was left with it. Appropriately planted in the little Rock Garden. Years ago a neighbor gave me this perennial Aster. Few blooms, as it is in the shade of the large Holly, but always appreciated. Certainly not blue, and nobody should call it that, but a pale violet blue, and my camera is not faithfully recording it. The favorite of them all, Morning Glory 'Heavenly Blue' never blooms here until this time of year. A mystery. There is a sort called 'Heavenly Blue, Clark's Early'. I will see if I can order that. And they never form seed for me either.  This common house plant should grow and hang over the edges. Called 'Wandering Jew', Tradescantia zebrina.  Among the easiest of house plants, with one sort get...