Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Friday, May 06, 2005
Annuals and Animals
First, the animals. The red fox was back yesterday, same time as the previous visits, around noon. I'm pretty sure this has been the same animal each time. Yesterday, long before I could see it, I knew it was coming because the crows were making such a fuss, cawing and circling around it. So I waited and sure enough, it came to do its now customary tour through the backyard/woods. It seems the hunting was not good yesteday though. It pawed through the mulch in a couple of places and then gave up, going back the way it came.
Second, the warblers. For the last couple of days, the yellow-rumped warblers have been working the trees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'm used to seeing them in their off-season feathers, but now they're in courting plumage. The black and white are crisply defined, and the yellow is bright, bright, bright. I tried to get a photo yesterday, but no luck. I saw a few other birds yesterday that I couldn't identify - didn't get good enough looks either time - but I'm putting them in the warbler column for now. I bought a warbler book, which is going to be very helpful, except that I should have had it several weeks ago and started studying before the birds showed up. But I'll be ready for them in the fall.
And lastly, the annuals. The frosting on the cake, the maraschino cherry on the sundae. The fun stuff. No commitments. If it doesn't work out, get rid of it and plant something else. I feel like I'm late in buying these this year, and yesteday was my first trip to one of my favorite local plant purveyors - Cox Farms. I'm hoping to get to another place today, either Merrifield Garden Center or Betty's Azalea Ranch. Yesterday I bought Petunias, three different Salvias, a Calibrachoa, an Angelonia, an Ageratum, a Helichrysum, and a Cuphea. I've finally reconciled myself to the fact that most of the ones I want are only available in 3 or 4 inch pots, and they're not all that cheap. And I've pretty much given up on trying to overwinter them in the garage and basement - too much work for too little reward. These are going to be sprinkled around in containers and in bare spots in the ground, and then repeat the whole process next spring.
PS: Forgot to mention the photos. I thought I didn't have anything photogenic in the garden presently, but I took some photos yesterday anyhow.
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