Overheard at the Garden Gate January 2021
SLGC
Happy News from Martha’s Garden
Martha Marsh’s Christmas Rose (helleborus niger) is right on time! What a treat for Martha to find it hiding under 18” of snow (the first storm). What a way to bring some joy into an otherwise gloomy day.
Not to be Outdone by Martha… More Roses in Winter
Reminder! GCA 2021 Photography Conference
January 21 at 11:00 am and 5:45 pm
You received from GCA an invitation to attend this year’s virtual photography conference. Click here to register. Our own Ryn Clarke is one of the featured speakers!
Interesting Reading Recommendation from Robin
A few years ago I recommended Peter Wohlleben’s The Secret Life of Trees. Here is more research in the same direction. The Lorax might have spoken for the trees, but it turns out that trees can speak for themselves. At least to other trees, that is. Read More.
Reforestation by Drone
Click here to read an interesting article about a new way to plant trees.
Recycle Your Christmas Lights!
Did you find broken Christmas tree lights this year? Recycle any broken or non working string lights and electrical cords at the Zoo by January 31.
Contact Lucy Weller at 216-541-2233 or 216-509-3470 prior to January 20 to arrange a pick up point. Or make arrangements to get lights to the zoo yourself. It's a great place to visit on a cold day because the animals are moving around.
All proceeds will benefit the Ruaha Carnivore Project the Zoo's lion conservation partner in Tanzania.
From Leigh - Profitable Junk Picking
This is how a garden clubber picks trash - when I walked the dogs I saw a pile of nicely berried holly on a tree lawn, waiting for tomorrow’s trash pickup. They won’t take it, though - it has to be gift-wrapped. There’s a lot of decent stuff on tree lawns, damaged by the December 1st storm! This will freshen my arrangements- the winterberry is shriveling.
And from Robin: I have pines, both white and Swiss Stone, if anyone needs them -- same storm, sigh. And when checking out our club trees the other day I ran into Helen Schreiber further east in Lower Lake Park, gathering larch cones. If you need some, go to the larches along South Park right where West Park branches off to the southeast; there are lots!
Help the Monarch!
On December 15, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that listing the monarch as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, but precluded by higher priority listing actions. Read more here. Whatever the decision, the monarch is clearly in trouble. If you would like to help the cause to save the monarch by planting Milkweed seeds (Asclepias Incarnata), contact Dozie.
from Lee Jacobs: Word of the Day
Aphyllous (ey-FIL-əs)
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Latin, early 19th century
Definition: (Botany) Having no leaves
"The aphyllous trees wrapped in bright holiday lights brought cheer to the street."
"The aphyllous branches against the sky looked menacing at night."
This is the last January newsletter post.