During walks with the dogs through our Louisiana neighborhood in January we noticed irregular balls of green leaves in tall trees that were otherwise barren. We eventually found a clump of this near enough to the ground to take a reasonable picture, and the ‘Picture This’ app identified it as oak mistletoe. Of course we …
Category Archives: Lawn and Garden
Sweetgum Balls
The American Sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is the second most common tree in Louisiana forests (the most common is the Loblolly Pine). Sweetgums are also plentiful in our local suburban landscape despite a significant drawback, the spiny seed-carrying balls that fall from their branches by the hundreds this time of year. The sweetgum is a …
Japanese Camellia
The Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), is one of two camellias commonly used as ornamental shrubs in the southern United States. The other common camellia is the Sasanqua camellia, which has smaller blooms and leaves. In SE Louisiana the Japanese camellia has recently begun blooming in early January, just as the earlier-blooming Sasanquas are finishing flowering. …
Sasanqua Camellia
Camellias are evergreen shrubs native to south and eastern Asia. The most economically important species of camellia is Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. Dried leaves of this camelia are very familiar because of their use to brew tea. Two other species of camelia are common ornamental bushes in warmer regions of the United States. Camellia …
Bee Balm with Insects
During these last days of July our blooming bee balm plants (Monarda fistulosa) have been a hive of activity for insects and an occasional hummingbird. The hummingbirds were too skittish to capture in a photo, but the insects were too busy to notice my presence. Two-spotted Bumblebees When the sun is out two-spotted bumble bees …
Peonies
Peonies are beautiful garden flowers that bloom for a short time in late spring and early summer in temperate climates. Two peonies we planted last year in north-central Minnesota came through with gorgeous flowers in late June. Peonies are known as the “king of flowers” in China, where they have been highly appreciated for over …
Gardenia and Star Jasmine
Eastern Band-Winged Hover Fly on Gardenia bloom The “Insect ID” app identifies the insect on this gardenia bloom as a Eastern Band-winged hover Fly, Ocyptamus fascipennis. Hoverflies have mimicked the body shape of wasps and hornets, but are actually harmless. They are beneficial to garden plants because they feed on aphids and serve as pollinators.
Louisiana Spring #2
This is simply a slide show of four beautiful flowers now in bloom in SE Louisiana. First is the Virginia Iris, it is followed by Flame Azalea, a Common Blue Violet, and Wisteria.
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
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”.
