Plant of the Week:
The Sugar Maple
State tree of no fewer than FOUR of our Union, the sugar maple, or Acer saccharum, isn’t just the tree that supplies sweet breakfast goodness.
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Photo by Nadine Primeau
Here’s a borrowed view of a sugar maple from my neighbor. The snag Oak and the wine red of the dogwood set it off perfectly.
It also supplies leaf peeping satisfaction.
Remember, if you own property, it’s good to plant at LEAST one tree per year. How about a sugar maple? They are native, fairly slow growing, and can provide fall color for you while they wait their turn to be one of the mature trees that won’t be with us forever.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Painting and Plant Pairing
from
Karen Blair
You heard me mention my friend Karen Blair on the pod this week. Karen is a Charlottesville based painter whose work I know you would love. She is known for her joyous use of color. Her own garden and those of friends inspire the flowers and trees that are prevalent in her paintings.
I am so excited to have this partnership with Karen, and each week I feature here one of her paintings with a corresponding garden photo! Follow this link to see more of her paintings.
My stream, which I am tidying several times a week right now. I used to apply a net, but current thinking is better access for the birds and a bit of exercise for me is better.
Autumn Stream, 60x48
Joseph Tyconievich
First, let’s start with the drawing that got Joseph on my radar in the first place…
Joseph has written 4 books, and I saw him give a presentation on the topic of plant breeding.
It’s interesting to see the idea broken down simply. For example, any of us who saves seeds is executing an elementary type of selective breeding. We wouldn’t save the seeds if we didn’t like the plant.
To take it a step further, if one chooses the seeds from the tastiest tomato or the fluffiest zinnia (whose foliage did not get as mildewed as others) we are absolutely controlling whose babies will be born in our gardens. Heavy responsibility? Nah, just have fun choosing the best seeds.
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The topics that Joseph and I touched on such as “Shopping for Plants Like a Pro”, “Dealing with Your Hosta Addiction”, “Great Non-wimpy Plants that You Don't Already Grow”, “Genetic Engineering-- the Science, not the Controversy”, “Plants Pollinators and Why They Matter" are all presentations that he could give to whatever group you might be trying to entertain, so keep him in mind.
You can reach him and buy his books at his website, Joseph Gardens.com
Don’t forget about his podcast— even though it’s on hiatus, Joseph and his husband Aspen are fun to listen to on What’s Going On in the Garden?
Coffee Time!
Please consider supporting Into the Garden with Leslie by buying me a cup of coffee.
OR! Becoming a member of I’m into the Garden too!
I will send you some LH Gardens gear if you become a member!
This is the weed alert from Blue Ridge Prism, and this is the weed you want to look for just now.
The Play List
Here are a few of useful links that I mentioned in other parts of Episode 81.
Virginia Dept of Forestry where you can contribute acorns NEXT year, thank you, Sue Martin.
