White blooms of the Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) are a common sight along southeastern Louisiana roadways in early March. A native of southeast Asia, in the United States it is an invasive species. It has thrived in the southern US since its introduction here long ago (~1780), and was adopted as the state flower of …
Author Archives: jimr77
Louisiana Spring
In late February spring has arrived in Louisiana — many plants are in bloom. I thought images of our flowers might be appreciated by Northerners eager for the end of winter. Azaleas Camelias Flowering Trees Spirea
Louisiana Sunrise
Gorgeous sunrise in Louisiana this January morning.
January Rose #2
Another rose is blooming on this beautiful, brisk January morning in Louisiana. This is a fragrant English Shrub Rose named “Jude the Obscure”.
January Rose
Warm weather has continued into January in Louisiana. This Queen Elizabeth rose has been reliably blooming for over 20 years, but I don’t recall it flowering in January previously.
A Warm December
This December has been unusually warm in Louisiana. As evidence — I picked this gladiolus from the yard today (December 29). Happy New Year, everyone!
Southern Trees; Southern Live Oaks with Spanish Moss
Oaks are common both in Minnesota and Louisiana. Like pines, oak species are different in the north vs. the south. Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana ) is a distinctive and beautiful oak species found along the Southeastern Atlantic Coast from Virginia to Florida, and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. Live Oaks retain …
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Southern Trees; Pines
Pine trees are prevalent in the Southeastern USA, but the species are completely different from those native to Minnesota. The Southern Pines native to St Tammany Parish, Louisiana are Loblolly, Longleaf, Shortleaf, Slash, and Spruce Pine. However, locally I’ve only identified Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda). Loblolly Pine is the most common tree in Louisiana, by …
Southern Trees; Bald Cypress
We have returned south to Louisiana for the winter, so this blog will have to change a bit. To start, there will be a few posts that compare trees in the south to counterparts that grow in Minnesota. The first tree to be featured is the state tree of Louisiana, the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), …
Winter Survival; Insects
Remarkably, tiny insects survive weeks and months of sub-zero cold each year. This post provides brief descriptions of how three common bugs manage this; Woollybear Caterpillars, Mosquitos, and Ticks. Woollybear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) The woollybear hatches in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, when it nearly freezes solid. Their bodies produce glycerol, a …
