The firewood certainly has had a chance to dry out sufficiently this year.
Author: Susan
Smallest Pond Ever
It’s the tiniest I’ve ever seen our pond. At the end of September 2016, I suppose we’re fortunate to still even have a pond. More than half of our state is in extreme drought.
New Planting Bed
We’re taking advantage of the weaker weeds during the drought, clearing this area of the slope, to eventually house a more beneficial plant community.
Joe Pye Weed & Cattails
We haven’t been watering the Joe Pye Weed and the cattails, however, they seem to be weathering the drought. They’re growing in a low area, next to the pond, where they would have had wet feet earlier in the season.
Parched Land
A willow stands alone on the parched land. Actually, this is 3 willow trees planted closely together. We call them “the three sisters.” And they’re not completely alone; struggling young tree lilacs survive in the bed in front, while a bayberry is in slightly better shape, off to the left. Willows are drought-tolerant, though we have been hand-watering when it’s allowed by our town.
Hardscape Idea
A friend gave us these curved cement blocks, so I’m thinking they might make a nice walking meditation circle. The Kioti tractor will be of great help in moving the boulders.
Rose Campion Survives Drought
Lychnis coronaria’s pink blossoms and silver foliage are a welcome sight. They’re also helping to stabilize this area of the slope, while giving natives an opportunity to establish themselves.
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina, or staghorn sumac, likes to pop up in this area. I cut down the inconvenient ones and like to prune the lower, downward-facing branches of those that remain. I’m looking forward to its fall color.
In the background on the right is a burgundy-colored ninebark. Just to the left of that is a redbud, whose location on this rather exposed slope has dictated its shrubbier form.
Closer to the ground, lamb’s ears help choke out knotweed resprouts and iris foliage provides a spiky contrast.
Asclepias Syriaca, Common Milkweed
Not a weed, it’s beautiful, smells terrific, supports insects and butterflies, and it’s drought-tolerant! What’s not to like?!
Heritage River Birch
Here’s what the river birches look like from the other side. This year, perhaps because they’re bigger, and even with the drought, (or perhaps because of the drought?) they’re less affected by sawfly larvae.
