Keep Planting, The Sun is Still Shining….and Shining and Shining and Shining!

Something strange is going on here in Western Washington. As I drive down the road I see wilting trees, browning shrubs and crispy leaves everywhere. The plantings in the road medians are so close to death that I want to jump out of my car and empty all my water bottles on them. You know, the irresistible urge to water dry plants for us is just the … Continue reading Keep Planting, The Sun is Still Shining….and Shining and Shining and Shining!

rainyleafOctober 7, 2012October 7, 20123 Comments

Plants, Trees

Shhhhhhhishigashira

This tree has a name that slides off the tongue. Shishigashira, shhhhhhishigashira, shishhhhhhhhigashira, shishigasssssshhira, any way you say it, it’s fun. Especially fast, shishigashira. I wonder how to type a word that represents very quick speech. Slow speech is easy, lotttttssssss of lettttttttersssssssss. Fast speech? Shishigashira? No, bold doesn’t work, it’s too blocky and solid, not fast. Shishigashira, in italics is starting to get faster. I … Continue reading Shhhhhhhishigashira

rainyleafOctober 3, 2012October 3, 20127 Comments

Insects and Disease, Plants

How To Get Stung By a Wasp or The Problem of Liking Plants Too Much

When you like plants too much, you think about their pollination. You worry about the bee problem, and not having enough pollinators. You look at the beautiful blooms and flowers and smile every time you see a happy buzzing bee doing it’s work. They go about their job, I go about my job and a peaceful coexistence is reached. There is a trust between us. … Continue reading How To Get Stung By a Wasp or The Problem of Liking Plants Too Much

rainyleafSeptember 30, 2012September 30, 20122 Comments

Plants

Fall Flowers

These are a few flowers that were blooming in recent weeks. The echinacea, black-eyed Susan, Balloon Flower, Flowering Maple and Lantana (annual here) are wonderful end-of-the summer plants. Summer continues in the Northwest as we have sunny, warm days with no rain. The mornings are crisp and cool, but it is dry and the plants need some moisture! Continue reading Fall Flowers

rainyleafSeptember 24, 2012September 25, 20127 Comments

Field Trips, Plants, Survival in the wild, Trees, Veggies, Fruits and Herbs

Dr. Peter Raven Lecture—Conservation and Biodiversity

This week I attended the Miller Memorial Lecture by the esteemed botanist and conservationist Dr. Peter Raven, President emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden. I was captivated from the beginning to the end. Held on the University of Washington campus, the lecture lasted just over an hour. The title was ‘Conserving Plants in a Changing World’, but this dialogue was less about plants and more … Continue reading Dr. Peter Raven Lecture—Conservation and Biodiversity

rainyleafSeptember 16, 20123 Comments