Yesterday, I started clearing out an area right below the kitchen window to make another garden bed. Yes, I know. I need the care of yet another bed like a hole in the head, but it’s an area that is always full of weeds and is right next to the entrance to the secret garden. It suddenly struck me that, instead of ignoring it, I could plant a shade garden there.
So I started pulling the weeds (there’s a lot of work ahead) and found the inevitable plastic bags buried beneath the ground, along with some nylons and some socks. Just how much trash is buried on our property?
I found part of a china plate. The gold design is raised. I have no idea how old it is and it’s in pretty good condition because it was inside the bag. No markings. Any idea about the pattern?
Don would like me to discover a bag of cash. Preferably a stack of $100 dollar bills Somehow, given the humbleness of our abode, I don’t think that’s going to happen. But today I’ll start digging, so wish me luck!
The annabelle hydrangea is just about to turn white.
This plant grows on the far side of the house. It returns every year, and I’ve grown to like it. Is it a weed? I wonder, because it hasn’t spread and I don’t see it anywhere else on the property.
Those flowers will turn white soon.
It’s getting quite tall. Does anyone out there have any idea what this is? I’d sure love to know.
That being said, I’ve tried to be patient, but I’m starting to think my butterfly bush didn’t make it through the winter. I see a few leaves near the bottom, but I’m not sure whether they have anything to do with the actual bush. Do I yank it and buy another one? I would miss seeing all the butterflies who congregate there.
Questions, questions.
Happy Friday.
It looks like cow parsnip. Just make sure it isn’t hogweed (which looks like cow parsnip) that is in the news.
Have a lovely weekend with your husband for his birthday.
It isn’t hogweed. And I’ve had it for years – no irritations. It might be cow parsnip, though the leaves are not quite the same. Thanks, Julie.
A shade garden will be lovely. Maybe the ‘work’ is helping you with the anger over our world! I want to get a butterfly bush and should get it soon if I want it to grow this summer. Enjoy your weekend!
Yes, but it’s also exhausting me! Thanks, Linda.
Be sure to rest dear heart!!
xo
Does it look like this plant when fully grown?
http://abc13.com/health/warning-invasive-plant-can-cause-burning-scarring-and-blindness/3610463/
No, it’s definitely not hogweed. Thanks, Trina.
One of the perennials I lost from last winter was my butterfly bush. I know it is usually the last one to flourish in the spring, but it really is too late, I think. I keep watching. Never lose faith. Oh, I wish that was easier than it is these days.
What you have in that spot looks like something the village told us to remove last year. I loved the white flowers, but we were told it is a very nasty thing. We were told to wear gloves to remove it. The leaves are what I think are familiar. I hope that isn’t what it is ~ maybe your smart readers will have the answer and I hope it is something you will love for many years!!
We have some sun trying to shine today. We have had several days of rain. Nothing heavy, I think that was all south of us, but many many showers. It was lovely not having to water every night. With the ground softened, I need to get out and do some weeding and also some dead-heading and clipping of spent blooms. Have a good Friday, and some fun planning a new garden area. I hope you find many bags of $100 dollar bills. Safe travels tomorrow!!
Is there any way you could find out what that plant was, Chris? The leaves are a bit prickly. What was nasty about it?
Ours looked like Queen Anne’s Lace. It was some sort of Hogweed.
These plants all have the white flowers which look like QAL but are toxic:
https://www.google.com/search?q=poisonous+weed+that+looks+like+queen+anne%27s+lace&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=2vl855y3GAUjrM%253A%252CFmWIPyIeA0G-BM%252C_&usg=__Rmb3sFIIGV5CfFuA7A7WfUdeJv4%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiG4Iynl-jbAhUJbK0KHVIUD9QQ9QEIMzAB#imgrc=2vl855y3GAUjrM:
It’s definitely not hogweed and I’m pretty sure it isn’t cow parsnip. The leaves are different than the leaves of those plants. I’m leaning toward Meadowsweet or something in the Angelica family. Thanks, Chris!
Hi Claudia: Your plant looks like a filipendula. I have two varieties in my garden. One commonly called meadowsweet and another called Queen of the prairie. Both of mine have pink flowers but white is more common.
I looked it up, but the flowers on mine are more like Queen Anne’s Lace. I stumped. Even cow parsnip leaves don’t look exactly like the ones on my plant. Hmmmm.
Just looked up Meadowsweet and it might be that. I’m going to observe the flowers as they open to verify. Thanks so much!
Oh…a shade garden! Yes…you do need that. The variety of things to grow, the work involved for distraction purposes, the exercise, the hidden treasures you will continue to find like that beautiful plate piece, and the bags of $$ for Don…. for all those reasons. And…because it would be pretty!
Good day to weed around here…like Chris said, the rain has finally stopped, at least for now. Safe travels tomorrow. Hope you have a wonderful time with Don this weekend! ;)
Hopefully, we’ll get rain tomorrow. We desperately need it!
The winter was tough on butterfly bushes but if you have green leaves at bottom cut off the dead sticks and it will continue to grow. Many people trim butterfly bushes in fall but I don’t because then the winter kill is really bad. Good luck!
I do have some green leaves. I’ve already cut it back, but I think I can cut it back even more. Thanks, Betsy!
In the past I have found the 4-H Extension Center very helpful in identifying plants.
Maybe give them a call and refer them to the photos here.
Thanks, Jay!
How about ferns in your shade garden? they are so maintenance free. I have them in several parts of my yard and they are very little work. Some die back and come up again and some are evergreen. I planted a Clinton fern that was 3 inches across when I planted it and it grew to 2 to 3 feet in the end. I also love the tassel ferns I have. They grow slower but have a lovely green color.
I bought 3 small hostas and I think adding some ferns would be a great idea. I really love them. Thanks, Jan.
I do not recognize that piece,but sure is pretty. Happy treasure hunting.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Claudia, you sound just like me “I’m gonna downsize the gardens this year cuz it’s just too much
work” but then, yep, I add another little “secret” area. I can relate to your mention of finding “treasures” on your property also. We’ve lived in our 1855 farmhouse for 40 years now, and
with all the digging, cleaning out we’ve done all the years, we haven’t found a thing! They burned trash here in the past. Our house had to be gutted from the beginning and I had hoped to find something wonderful under all the rotten lathe, but nooope. I even explored the acreage
in the wild chance I’d find burial places, but notta. Oh well. Maybe I’ll leave a little “time capsule” behind myself for the next owners! Love your garden photos. The horrid heatwave took many of my plants, but I’m nursing them slowly back to life. Slow to bloom. Take care.
The antique plate (only part of the plate) that I found last year is my biggest find. It’s from 1830. I keep hoping I’ll find more pieces but haven’t seen any this year. Thanks, Penny!
Hi Claudia! New to your blog! There is supposed to be an app where you can upload a photo of a plant, and they’ll identify it. I don’t know what it’s called, but I supposed if you checked your app store for ‘garden’ or ‘plant identifier’, something might come up.
Have a beautiful weekend!
I haven’t looked it up yet but was told today there is an app called “Plant Snap” – you take a pic of the plant and it will identify it. I’m going to search for it later. Chy
Thanks, Chy. I’ve seen several apps – I just have to figure out which one is the best in terms of ratings.
Yes, there are several apps out there. I’ll do some research on them. Thanks so much and welcome!
Could it be a species of Angelica? There are many. Have a look at Google. Your garden is beautiful and I love seeing your pictures.
I wondered about that. I have to wait and see the flower, but I’m leaning toward Meadowsweet because of the leaf shape. Thanks so much, Lynn.
Claudia – I started reading your blog about five months ago and was enchanted by your stories. So I decided to go back to day one of your blog and have been reading it like a novel – every night – the highs and the lows, the ins and the outs – and think you would be the most wonderful friend in the world. What an adventurous life you’ve had and the love you and Don share is wonderful and yes your husband can be your best friend because my husband is mine – I’m 72, lived around the world – the last was Japan for eight years. I garden, (big time) sew, knit, crochet – do volunteer work – a lot like you – I stopped reading last night when Riley died. I couldn’t stop crying because I am the Momma of two rescue dogs and they are older and I can’t bear the thought of them leaving us one day. So I’ll continue reading tomorrow after I can settle down about Riley – Don’t be blue, dear girl, the one thing I have learned is one door closes and another opens and it usually is better than before – You are so blessed – love your house which you have made into a warm, inviting beautiful home – Until Later, Mary Ellen
Thank you so, so much for your kind words, Mary Ellen. I can’t tell you how much they mean to me. Welcome!
too bad about the butterfly bush, but glad you found another piece of pottery. hope the bush springs back and you can identify the pottery pattern.
i am not very tech-y, but isn’t there something like “image search” on google (where you upload a photo and google searches for a match …)? happy sleuthing!
and have fun in nyc with your fella.
happy birthday to don.
kathy in iowa
i think the butterfly bush will survive. Fingers crossed!
99.9% sure the mystery plant is Astilbe. I was out weeding today and realized it looks exactly like my Astilbe plants! Wishing NY voters the best today!
Hi Betsy, unfortunately the leaves are different than those of Astilbe – still thinking it’s Meadowsweet, which seems to be a match. I’ll know more when the flowers come into full bloom.
Did you know that the common names for Astilbe are False Spirea and Meadowsweet? Your photo looks like the same leaves as my plants. Will be interesting to see what the flower looks like and if they are deer resistant. It looks like a beautiful plant whatever it is! I love your potted plants in the secret garden. So pretty.
P.S. checked my Latin memory with White Flower Farm and mygardeningnetwork.com. ;)
All I know is that the latin name for the one that looks like mine is Filipendula ulmaria. I’ll be sure to take pictures of the flowers, Betsy!