This is an easy, cheap and fun craft to make with kids. Especially when the sun is shining and you are sitting under the real cherry blossoms–it’s great! First collect some branches. It’s good to get a variety, some kids want delicate stems, others want one big chunky stick. Next, buy the tissue paper colors of your choice and cut them into 1-2 inch squares. … Continue reading Kid Stuff—Flowering Cherry Craft
If some plants keep things out, which plants welcome people in? Which plants say hello, come on over? Come sit in the shade, smell the flowers and brush away trouble. When one pass of the hand over the foliage creates a sweet scent, an intoxicating aroma or a fond memory, this plant is inviting. When I brush by a tomato plant and it releases that … Continue reading Inviting Plants
People are often looking for keep away plants. Keep away the unpleasant view, keep away the neighbor’s house, keep away the dogs, the kids, the noise, the street, the town, the world! I wonder if plants exist that perform the opposite function? Do they invite in the beautiful view, the friends, the neighbors, the world? But this post will review the keep-away plants, or … Continue reading Keep Away Plants! (Hedge Plants)
There is one thing lately that people think is wrong with the world—the weather. The lovely and terrible cold, late snow, spring frost, towing us under, back to the days of February and January. But it’s not really the weather that’s wrong, it’s the wealth of weather complaints—stop people!!! Look around and notice what spring has brought us. Here is a list of what’s right … Continue reading What’s Right in the World
A dogwood is a dogwood is a dogwood…..Maybe, but maybe not. Here are some tips for distinguishing between the different species of dogwoods. (Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs, by Michael A. Dirr, Pub. 1997) Cornus florida–Flowering dogwood. Low branched tree with rounded to flat-topped crown and strong horizontal branching. Leaves dark green, 3-6 inches long, excellent red to reddish purple fall color. 3-4 inch white … Continue reading Different Dogwoods
Rainyleaf 