All posts by leadort

Spectacular Spring Driveby

April 18, 2019 leadort Leave a comment

Hello! Hope this Spring season is bringing you joy. Last week when I left the farm, I exited towards a very windy road and to my surprise I came upon an embankment full of Spring Ephemerals. Ephemerals are plants that come to the spring party for a short visit, enter with a WOW appearance and then vanish! They do not die but they do go dormant till the next year, so when they are present they deserve your attention. Let’s just say I gave my attention and risked danger to myself on this windy and steep road, making a quick turn around and then having the nerve to get out, and get up and close to take in the beauty before me. As they say ” Don’t try this at home” shaking my head. After I got back in the car I quickly came back to my senses and could not believe I did what I did in the moment of horticulture intoxication and how quick I did it all. The turn around, the pull over and then the exit to photograph and then jump back into the car. Total madness but check out the details below:

See it was worth it. And who might this be. Well, let me introduce you (BIG GRIN) this is Sanguinaria canadensis aka Bloodroot. Now just picture this all over a steep woodland hillside it was spectacular, especially in the darkness of this ecosystem the road was under a canopy of very mature trees so it was like driving in a woodland tunnel spotlighted with these little beauties. Bloodroot gets its name for the dark red sap in the stems and roots of the plant which resembles blood. The colored juice from these areas of the plant can be used to make red, pink and orange dyes. It is also use medicinally as a salve to treat skin cancers and is quickly becoming hard to find and reaching the point of extinction in certain areas of the United States because of this medicinal purpose. Since it is a fighter of bacteria and inflammation it helps with many ailments such as toothaches, breathing problems, fever, skin problems, headaches, muscle and joint pain. In the Fall the root and rhizome are collected for use in medicines.

Bloodroot adores damp soil but it can be naturalized in the drier areas under trees; allow these woodland plants to be planted in rich soil receiving spring moisture and summer shade. It grows in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada.

This wildflower ephemeral will definitely be the star of your early spring garden, make you stop in the midst of whatever you are doing to enjoy it up close and heal you both physically and spiritually. So put it on your invitee list for the Spring dance, it will appear early, dressed to impress and then quickly exit leaving you longing to be in its presence till you meet again.

Thanks Sanguinaria for the dance and the magnificent dip while we embraced, till next time sleep well.

A new garden season

Spring!!! Finally.

March 20, 2019 leadort Leave a comment

Hello Garden Friends,

Hope this message finds you well, ready to get outside more often and to get digging in the dirt!

Countryside GC hopes 2019 has been pleasant and healthy for you thus far. We ended 2018 with a holiday social focusing on gathering and giving, see captured highlights below:

Our delivery to Friendship House

Now that we have made it thru another winter, let’s get down to business and reflect on what this Spring will bring to you and your garden. I’m excited about some poppies that I planted last year which seemed happy at the end of last season by dropping a ton of seeds, I’m praying they sprout and proliferate in that designated area this year let’s see if that will be the case!

I also need to create new beds and do some landscape design projects all with good intentions; hmm wonder if that will happen this year (giggling). In the meantime, I am once again in awe of how things begin to emerge and push thru the earth silently screaming “Look at me, Look at me” I must say I believe those first signs of life in the garden are secretly happy they have survived the winter and are back again to bring us joy.

There truly is something divinely supernatural as to how the whole process works, its just glorious and I give thanks for being here another year to see it all take place again.

So without further ado, I’m happy to show you a glimpse of what is popping up in my garden spaces and hopefully you are also enjoying your old and new garden friends arriving for their season’s visit, they will no doubt be some of the best company you will host this time of year.

A tad more…..

Enjoy, dig, play and rejoice in the power of Spring!

PS. Don’t forget Rita’s Water Ice is free on the First day of Spring, so go treat your self and then if it makes it back to your home, take it with you as you walk around your garden (or a public garden or nursery) checking out what’s new or what plans you may have in store for this garden season.

Farewell for now.

Flower Show

Dazzling Dahlias!

October 17, 2018 leadort Leave a comment

Dahlia or Dahlia hortensis is an amazing spiky flower grown in some areas as a perennial bush. It belongs to the Compositae family.

It has approximately 50,000 cultivations, the flower was named after the 18^thcentury Swedish botanist Ander Dahl.

These amazing flowers were on display the first weekend of Fall at Longwood Gardens along with The Greater Philadelphia Dahlia Society. They hosted the American Dahlia Society’s 2018 National Show. Over 2,000 blooms filled the Conservatory during this competitive show with the major dahlia species featured in the Exhibition Hall. These flowers range in size from 10 inch (dinner plate) across to 2 inches (pompon or some are labeled pompom)! The trail garden at Longwood featured Dahlias specifically because of the show this year.

In this garden region Dahlia’s need to be removed and stored over the winter. This can be done after the first frost and when the foliage has blackened. Then carefully dig up your dahlia tubers and cut the stalk 2 inches away from the tuber. Let the tuber dry out in a frost free area for a couple of days. Once the tubers are dry brush off excess soil and store in ventilated box, basket or heavy brown paper bag. Cover the tubers with slightly damp sand, peat moss or vermiculite and place in a cool dry place where temperatures are between 45 and 55 degrees. Check on them periodically to make sure they are not rotting, have become a winter snack for a critter or have shriveled up. If they do not look plump in appearance just mist them lightly with water. The tubers are quite fragile at this stage so be careful handling them. They can be replanted in the garden when temperatures warm up consistently later in the Spring.

It was fun to learn and experience the joy dahlias bring; the show made you want to plant a special area in your garden and share in the same delight of all the proud owners of these wonderful plants put on display.

See photos of the show below, enjoy and maybe you will be inspired to plant a dahlia next season or better yet visit a friend’s garden who already has them and help them dig up the tubers and prepare them for winter and maybe you will be sent home with a few tubers of your own!

Till next time, delve and delight in nature!

Garden fun

Are you a Moth-ER??

August 15, 2018 leadort Leave a comment

Its a hot, humid, steamy night, totally pitch black outside but the intense sound of fluttering is the only sound heard in the stillness of the night. Those flutters are coming from Hypercompe scribonia, Zeuzera pyrina pyrina, Dyrocampa rubicunda, Eudryas grata and Hemithea aestivaria! Or commonly known as Giant leopard moth, Tiger moth, Rosy maple moth, Beautiful wood nymph and Emerald moth.

National Moth week this year was 7/21-7/29/2018 but the moths I witnessed were at the end of the first week of August only because viewing them had been rescheduled twice due to our excessive heavy rain and thunderstorms in our local area.

Mothing is popular summer nighttime event; all that is required is a white sheet/cloth a black light or if you are a true moth geek and have the budget to own a mercury vapor bulb moths will gather from far and beyond to come towards that particular light. The mercury vapor bulb has a very high intensity UV (which should not be looked into for long periods with the human eye) that attracts moths with great intensity. However, most of us can afford a black light or a normal outside bulb which allows you to search near and/or close to the area where the light is being emitted.

The life cycle of a moth is egg, larva(caterpillar), cocoon, adult moth. What’s the difference between a moth and a butterfly? The most prominent difference is their antennae, a butterfly’s is clubbed and smooth and a moth’s is feathered or fuzzy. Moths are also nocturnal although some are seen during the day such as the hummingbird moth which looks like a hummingbird and pollinates during the day. Most adult moths only live a short life about a week or two because most do not have mouths so therefore they do not eat, because their sole purpose is just to mate and lay eggs once they have reached adulthood. A male moth can smell a female up to 7 miles away, this capability just ensures these creatures mean business in their short lived lives to get things done and with a mission. Moths emerge from a cocoon which is silken wrapped, where as a butterfly emerges from a chrysalis a smooth stretched structure which is a pupa. The moth pupa is found inside the cocoon. See the photo below.

Moths out number butterflies 10 to 1 and there are currently over 11,000 species in the US alone!

The Giant leopard moth spotted was unusual and was a special find and will be documented in a special moth database. The Rosy maple moth was found fluttering in the grass with the Tiger Moth which was a “virgin” its appearance let the experts know it had recently emerged into the world :), the Rosy maple moth loves to eat maple trees and you will always find a moth near the particular tree it likes to lay its eggs and then eat as a caterpillar; it’s appearance looked like a scoop of rainbow sherbet or as if it had been tie dyed, the Beautiful wood nymph moth has outstanding mimicry and fools you in thinking it is droppings from a bird! The Emerald moth was found at the end of our mothing night and was a gem indeed, its beautiful green color was so amazing and was a wonderful find since the other green moth I really wanted to find was the popular lunar moth. It apparently was just was too shy I guess to join the party, so maybe the Grand Dam will show the next time. If you have a walnut or hickory tree in your area she is bound to appear and in all her glory:)

So if you have not tried mothing this summer, give it a try in your night time garden before it gets too cool for these amazing species to dance in the light and officially make you a

Moth-ER!

Events of the month

The Season Of Giving!

December 31, 2017 leadort 1 Comment

Our garden club ends every year with a beautiful fellowship of holiday cheer celebrated at our end of the year holiday bash and in the midst of this fellowship we give to others in need which in turn gives us great joy!

We were blessed this year to celebrate at the home of our past president and fearless leader Ginny. Ginny and her husband graciously opened their home to our club and in gratitude we give thanks to them both.

The house was very festive and definitely full of cheer!

We gathered, we gave, we delivered and those we blessed, received!

From our Garden Club Family to yours may you end your Christmas season with joy and may you bring in 2018 with open hearts to receive the best that is yet to come.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Countryside Garden Club!

Gardening tips

Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter…

December 28, 2017 leadort Leave a comment

So which is your favorite, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter? You are probably thinking I am referring to your favorite holiday, but come on folks this a garden club blog. I am actually referring to your favorite Schlumbergera (a cactus of course!)

Yes, there is a difference and now lets see if you can identify which one you have in your possession.

It is pretty simple if we focus on their blooming times to help narrow down which one you may possess. The Thanksgiving cacti typically start to bloom in late fall and Christmas cacti usually a month later. An Easter cactus will start producing flower buds in February. You can also look at their leaf shape to help you identify as well.

See the picture chart below (taken from a Pinterest gallery) The Thanksgiving cacti have pointy leaf ends, the Christmas rounded and the Easter one has little spiky protrusions on its leaf tip. The flowers of the Thanksgiving cacti usually shoots outward, where the Christmas ones like to hang down, the Easter group blooms in clusters that tend to look like daisies or little starbursts.

Now lets see pictures below, from my plant collection. I have a Thanksgiving one and a Christmas cactus which happens to be over 50 years old given to me by a wonderful friend that belong to her grandmother!

This one above is… yes that’s right, the Christmas one which has rounded edges like the letter “C” which is also the first letter in Christmas that’s how I remember. Now check out my Thanksgiving one below:

See the pointy jagged leaves they are spiky and thorny-like, thus my silly way to remember “t” for thorny and thanksgiving; hey don’t laugh it works for me. Also notice how the flower grows outward like it wants to fly away. As for the Christmas cactus the flowers hang down like Christmas bells see the photo below (photo by hortmag.com)

And lastly the Easter cactus with it’s daisy like flowers and the hairlike spikes on the ends of the leaves.

Well, my favorite holiday is Easter because I love how it symbolizes second chances and forgiveness for us to get our acts together and try to please the infamous child born on Christmas which allows us to all gather as family and friends on Thanksgiving to share our blessings and gratitude for it all.

Guess I need to add my favorite to my plant collection.

Member's Activities

Nonplussed!

December 28, 2017 leadort 1 Comment

Nonplussed an adjective meaning : (of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.

Yup, that was me at the last DFGC meeting when I finally heard my name being called to come up and receive a Lifetime Membership award from the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs given by Countryside Garden Club.

After the sound came back into by ears, LOL I then of course began to cry with such gratitude and the feeling of being nonplussed! It is an honor to be a recipient of such a prestigious award in this circle of a statewide garden club affiliation, as I write this I am still in shock and amazed I was given this blessing.

It was also nice to have my Momma there to share in the joy, we all were pleasantly surprised; it just was a happy moment indeed.

Thanks Countryside from the bottom of my heart its a pleasure and an honor to be in such a wonderful garden club that has taught me many things and more so, allowed me to be friends with some amazing people who have become a special part of my life.

As they mentioned in the documentation submitted for the award, although I may have a very busy personal and professional life I enjoy finding time for my garden club.

What is even more special is that, I was not the only recipient of this special award it was great to know I shared this dedication along with Gerry and Hiro two people I just adore. They unfortunately were unable to attend the meeting but at our monthly club meeting the following day they were presented with their award and the special pin that goes with it.

In gratitude, we all say thank you! What we do for our club is easy since those we do for, the wonderful members of our club make our labor of love a joyous one. OXXX

Uncategorized

Hello Again!

September 18, 2017 leadort 1 Comment

Hope this greeting finds you well and happy!

It was a busy Spring and Summer and now Fall is fast approaching with back to school, back to reality from vacationing and back to the joys of fall planting and tidying of the garden in cool refreshing temperatures to come!

The garden club ended on a few great notes; a visit to Mt. Cuba

Thanks for the ride Ginny:) you did a great job as president you motivated us to be a team to get the job done. We appreciated your time and your efforts!

and a end of the year picnic with a “sweet” new officers installation at a garden club member’s home. Thanks Barb for the hospitality.

Digging for Rubies, yup real Rubies. A Pearl looking for a Ruby classic!

We also attended DFGC’s end of the year meeting and walked away with many awards and some nice financial blessings from our reward money. Cha Ching!

When two clubs come together and produce a fabulous award winning flower show! Way to Go!!!

We have a new governmental regime for the club and a new Madam President; congratulations to Mrs. Kathleen Morrison for being our new fearless leader! We thank you in advance Kathleen for leading and inspiring us to do new and fun things.

Over the summer one of our members; Kathe Worrell created and inspired us thru her Summer Intern program which involved meeting at her home and lovely garden to learn all things wonderful, when it came to gardening. She also managed to lead some field trips to private gardens and public park spaces to continue her garden lessons in a different outdoor classroom.

A proud mentor overlooking her students.

Although, Kathe took a lot of heat that this was just a way for her to get free gardening help and weeding done in her own garden (lol) this was far from true if you had the pleasure to attend you walked away more blessed than bruised by garden work; giggling. I was so very happy to be able to attend one of these lovely intern workshops over the summer and to my joy was able to visit the private garden of one of the other regular interns, it turned out to be an amazing garden in the process of being transformed into a mini gardener’s paradise. Thanks Kathe for your efforts in keeping us inspired in unique ways, the knowledge and social interaction we all experienced because of you was priceless. Keep digging and keep giving Ms. Kathe!

Sooooo… the official Fall season runs from the first day being September 22, 2017 and ending on the last day being December 21, 2017.

During this Fall season try to do at least one of the following:

*Plant a new and unique fall bulb that will be a beautiful Spring plant.

*Spend some time in your garden dividing those plants that need it and then sharing them with other gardeners or a public garden in a economically stressed environment to promote the joys of gardening.

*Rake some leaves into a huge pile and then kick them to make a fun mess just to start over and rake again or just fall back into them as if you were 10 again!

*Sit, Walk or Observe your garden as the days grow shorter and see what it’s like in your garden just before dark settles. Notice which plants stand out as night-time landmarks in your garden, see which plants illuminate the best in the moonlight.

*Purchase a white pumpkin and see how it illuminates in the fall nightscape.

*Breathe deep and long, while in the garden and be grateful for your space no matter how big or small.

*Take one last barefooted walk in your grass.

*Have a cup of tea while walking in your garden on a brisk fall morning or at the end of a long day.

Whatever you decide to do from these suggestions or those of your own liking just know you survived another season and new and beautiful changes await you, so embrace and Fall into the Season with Joy!

While writing this blog I was saddened by the passing of our garden club member and friend Ralph Sutter. To his family we give our deepest sympathy, to your spirit Ralph may you rest in peace and thank you for the reminder that our time here on earth is precious and special we all were happy to have spent a season with you!

Events of the month

A “Place” for Everyone!

December 30, 2016 leadort 1 Comment

Merry Christmas / Happy Holiday’s!! It’s the last party of the year for Countryside Garden Club and the sky’s the limit in fun, food, festivities and creativity. This time of year if you celebrate Christmas you “Prepare a Room for Him” most people think this means prepare room for baby Jesus as in the biblical story of making room in manager when there was no space in that infamous inn. We tend to do this by Christmas shopping (overspending), entertaining, decorating, and for some just stressing all the way out in the name of Jesus. Yup, most of us normal people do just that and maybe more and that’s NOT what it’s all about. But Prepare a Room for Him really means preparing a place in your life for Jesus at all times whether you are a believer or not we all know what it means to make room for something bigger than us!

What does this have to do with garden club, well this year we were asked to create a table place setting that would be used (eaten on) only by the creator but viewed and informally critiqued by the rest of the group; it of course had to be a holiday theme setting and displayed with creative or simplistic ideas that would no doubt “Wow” someone. Of course this group gave it their best and there were 17 amazing displays each unique and creatively special. The place setting had to include a plate, glassware, a floral arrangement of some sort, napkin and optional place mat and silverware. In the end we were asked to pick (not judge-thank God) two place settings; one to represent our favorite and the other to represent what we thought was the most creative. Barbara B. won for most creative using a snowman theme and Kathleen M. won for the favorite; Barbara won reindeer ears and Kathleen a homemade gingerbread house made by creative Ms. Patti.

We managed to squeeze in our annual gift exchange PolyAnna aka Dirty Santa where you can steal from “ your friends” which this year included two new garden club family members who joined in on experiencing the joy of a holiday hangout in royal fashion. Both Mary Beth and Mary Lou had a great time and don’t you find it ironic both their names are Mary … Hmm Mary was baby Jesus’ Mum this is starting to sound suspect giggling.

In addition, assembled 25 adult gift stockings and 11 children’s gifts to send to our friends at Friendship House.

And last but not least we shared a feast and let me tell you something if there is one thing Countryside GC can do that is cook their tails off, we know how to throw down in the food department.

So how does this all tie together in Prepare a Room for Him, when you gather together to exchange gifts of love (by the way the gifts this year were well thought out, practical and generous), experience deep belly laughing, give gifts to those in need, break bread and set a table to share food, conversation and creativity; YOU prepare room for others to join in and be a part of a something special; a bond that allows you to escape from the craziness of the world and focus on what truly matters especially this time of year and that is to prepare in your heart, mind, body and spirit room for the joys of our Divine creator that made us all and allows us to share memorable moments such as a holiday party with garden club “family” and walk away with more than what you came in with, which in the book of life happens to be a priceless gift we all could use everyday throughout the year and not just during the holiday.

Some of the family

CGC Webmasters!

So from all the members of Countryside Garden Club we want to thank you for supporting us and visiting our website in 2016 and we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with love and happiness as well as a Happy New Year that allows you to prepare room for the joys and and blessings of 2017!

Road Trip

An Elite Garden Stroll

December 5, 2016 leadort 1 Comment

On an October autumnal morning, in the last week of public visitation to the beautiful Chanticleer Garden Estate; we arrived in full force as the first guests with our car grills pressed against the ornate entrance gate, awaiting the garden to open.

As we entered the garden en route to the “house of ease” aka the restrooms; we were distracted by a beautiful water garden being created by one of the many horticultural assistants creating a design completely made out of natural materials. We then, all gathered and began a beautiful journey meandering thru the artistic and whimsical gardens of Chanticleer. We also adopted an honorary garden club member who I named Mr. Biltmore, his true name was Steve and he graciously fell into our garden club family circle while we approached the lower cut flower garden located in front of the vegetable garden.

1177 — Mr. Biltmore said this specimen’s name was somewhat pornographic but of course we begged to know the common name which is “Hairy B—s” yup he warned us it was a spicy name!

Mr. Biltmore happened to over hear us discussing our subtle complaints about the horticultural specimens not being labeled in this magnificent garden and he explained how it was the original landscape architect who wanted the gardens not to be inundated with hideous labels. We reluctantly agreed and I must say it was refreshing not having to worry about remembering what I actually saw but to better yet just focus on the experience I was having while strolling in the garden.

Speaking of the gardens, they were born out of the ideas and dreams of The Rosengarten Family it was their retreat to escape the summer heat of the city of Philadelphia. Mr. Rosengarten’s great sense of humor led him to name his home after the estate “Chanticlere” in Thackeray’s 1855 novel The Newcomes. The fictional Chanticlere was “mortgaged up to the very castle windows” but “still the show of the county.” Playing on the word, which means “rooster,” the Rosengartens used the rooster as their family crest throughout the estate.

This garden offers many specimens of flowers and trees that include common and exotic varieties with their origins from all over the world. It even has an asian woodland garden that features a very artistic replicate of an uprooted tree utilized as a foot bridge which created a great scenario for Countryside Gardeners to take a “selfie”! We are sooo cool:) and note the bee box!

The first part of our tour ended with a brief meeting and picnic lunch in a designated picnic grove. We then finished out our day and walking off our lunch visiting the main house garden

and then descending upon the pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries ‘Lenca’)while using the beautifully sculptured elevated walkway and then over to the pond garden finishing up our tour in the infamous ruin garden. If you wish to visit this unique and inspiring garden you will have to wait for the ornate gate to open on March 29, 2017.

In the meantime our in house photo bug Ms. Kathe Worrell has graciously shared her memories of what was capture on our visit with over 300 photos; don’t worry I will not post them all but chose a few in the artistic slide show below. Thanks Ms. Kathe!!!

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So mark your calendars now for a visit to this infamous public garden in our area it will no doubt inspire you to do something a little different in your own garden giving it an elite flair!

Stroll on…

Countryside Garden Club of Hockessin, DE