Category Archives: Country Gardening

Advice, commentary and exploration

Columbine ‘Nora Barlow’

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’ This old-fashioned double columbine, sometimes called Granny’s Bonnet, is a great self-sower and over time will create small colonies. Beautiful and graceful, I have mine with variegated hosta, barrenwort (Epimedium rubra) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) in a … Continue reading →

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Locally Grown and Gorgeous

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Eliza Waters

The locally grown garden plant movement is a return to the way things used to be before big box stores started muscling in on local growers. Using economy of scale, large volume discounts, they out-priced local competition, causing many to … Continue reading →

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Heavenly Delight

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is one of the most heavenly of scents in the garden. For about two weeks every spring, I inundate my senses with this delicate gift of Nature. Life is good!

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Monarch Field Habitat

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Having decided I must take action locally after my previous posts about the decline of Monarch butterflies, I contacted a fellow gardener who has kids in the local elementary school.  Previously, over the twenty plus years I’ve lived here, I had volunteered to do garden … Continue reading →

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Hello There, Blue Eyes!

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Eliza Waters

This sweet little butterfly quietly posed for me on a blossom of Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ and though I searched online to find out what kind she was, I wasn’t successful. My guess is she’s a type of Azure Butterfly. Are there any lepidopterists out … Continue reading →

Posted in Country Gardening, Field Notes, My Photos | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

A popular garden trend is planting to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Both are drawn to nectar-rich flowers, adding activity, sound and beauty to your garden. In early May, I know hummingbirds have returned when they visit my quince bushes. Right … Continue reading →

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Eliza Waters | 24 Comments

Spring Chores

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Like many of you, spring has called me to do other things, mostly yard work. Initially, I tried to keep my pace on WordPress, but soon realized it was impossible, unless I wanted to forfeit sleep. (Not a good option!) … Continue reading →

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Spring Beauty

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Scilla siberica ‘Spring Beauty’

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Bloodroot

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Eliza Waters

After the snow melts, one of the first wildflowers to emerge is Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). Native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, it grows in woodlands and moist areas. Its name comes from its reddish-orange sap, which will stain and … Continue reading →

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Monarch Update

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Eliza Waters

I recently posted on the plight of the Monarch butterfly and things we can do to help. Mary Holland shared an awesome website that uses citizen science to track northward migrations of not just Monarchs, but other migrants as well. … Continue reading →

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