It Melted

Finally got some snow and now it is all melted. I'm disappointed. Hopefully we get some for Christmas, it just dosen't seem right to have Christmas and not be white outside.

Let is snow let it snow let it snow

Woohoo! We finally have some snow. Just like it should be in December. And the temperatures are finally cold enough that it will stay for awhile. This week at night it has been getting below zero and during the day it has been below 20 degrees. The last couple of days I have woken up to frost on the inside of the windows in the house. I love it though, winter can be a beautiful time. I believe that all four seasons can be wonderful.

Plant Pick of the Month-Early December

Well it may sound cliche, but in the spirit of the season my plant pick for now is going to be the Poinsettia, Euphobia pulcherrima. Poinsettia's are a member of the Euphobiaceae family. The species name pulcherrima, means "most beautiful," and I say I have to agree. This species of Poinsettia is a tall, rangy shrub that grows to a height of 10 feet. It has large, dark green oval leaves that are toothed on the sides and pointed at the tips. Flowers are borne in winter, the actual flower is quite small, the bracts are actually modified leaves. Poinsettia is native to the tropical areas of Central America and Mexico. They like full sun but will tolerate some shade. I for one love Poinsettia's, they add such wonderful color in your home around the holiday season. They also hold a special meaning for me, my husband and I were married right after Christmas and the church was filled with Poinsettias, so they were the official flower of our wedding.

Plant Pick of the Month - November

Colorado Blue Spruce - Picea pungens - is a wonderful evergreen addision to any landscape. They have wonderful color and a nice triangle shape. The needles are short and hard, and they produce an appealing cone. They will shed some of their needles but not near as baddly as pines. You need to make sure you have ample room for them though, because they are not a small variety of tree. The can get about 25 feet and 30 to 60 feet high. They are a classic tree used for Christmas. And by far one of my favorites.

Plant pick of the Month-October

Autumn Purple Ash is a good tree to have is you want some great fall color. The leaves are green during the growing season and turn a pretty red-purple in the fall. Gets to be about 30 to 40 feet tall with about a 30 ft spreed. They make good shade trees and grow plenty fast. Aphids do tend to love ashes but not so bad on the Autumn Purple.

Natures Beauty

I am always amazed at what beauty there is in nature. We camped in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area over Labor Day weekend and had a wonderful time.

Plant of the Month Pick-September

Blue Mist Spirea or Blue Beard is a wonderful plant to have in any yard. It has beautiful blue flowers that come in early summer and stay till late summer. They can get to be about 4ft by 4ft. They can be cut down like a perennial every couple of years to keep from getting to wild looking. I have used them in quite of few designs because of their great color and their ablilty to adapt to many situations. They can take drought and full sun. I love this plant and would use it in my own yard.