Blog
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Arnold’s Promise Witch Hazel – Harbinger of Spring
It’s late-February and my Arnold’s Promise Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’) has been in bloom for two weeks. Here’s the view from the kitchen on a dreary, rainy, day. There could be six inches of snow on the ground and the tree would be in bloom. Arnold’s Promise Witch Hazel Blooms as early…
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Garden Toad
Spotted a toad in the rain yesterday. It looks quite content. 🙂
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Some Mistakes Have to Be Made
A few weeks ago I changed the spark plugs in my wife’s car. If you’re a mechanic or done the job before, it’s simple. I’ve never done the job before. I read the service manual which makes car maintenance similar to building with Legos. Remove shroud D (See diagram) then disconnect coil pack and remove…
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Saying Goodbye
Yesterday was a melancholy day at Land Designs Unlimited LLC. A client of 5 years is moving and yesterday was my last visit. There’s a chance the new owners will want my services, I hope they do. Unfortunately, experience has taught me it rarely works that way. This landscape is special for a couple of…
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Attract Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars
A couple of months ago I planted a few Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) on a whim. For this reason, within hours, possibly minutes, butterflies started gathering on the plants. Consequently, this morning, as I topped off the bird baths I found two Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars. Here’s the secret to attracting butterflies. Choose plants butterflies like…
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Candyland Calibrachoa Lighting Up the Landscape
Today I planted Candyland Calibrachoa. While I’m no expert at annuals everything I’ve read says, winner. I visited Hollandia Nursery looking for one Catmint replacement but couldn’t help leaving with a few more plants. If you live near Bethel, CT Hollandia is worth the trip. Candyland Calibrachoa is a plant combination of 3 different colors…
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Fall Cleanup Finished Today
Today I finished last year’s fall cleanup! Not a moment too soon either, in a few short months leaves will start falling again. Let me explain, normally I use a leaf blower to blow the leaves onto the grass then shred them with a lawnmower. However, last year I decided to go Old School and…
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Bird’s Nest and Winter Burn in Cryptomeria
This spring as I was raking leaves a bird quickly, yet conspicuously, flew away from where I was working. It was a little bird with four eggs in her nest. If you’re walking and a bird conspicuously flies away and chirps you’re too close to her nest. Indeed, the bird is trying to trick you…
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Siberian Carpet | This is What it Does
Siberian Carpet (Microbiota decussata) is underused in Connecticut landscapes. For one thing, Siberian Carpet looks like a Juniper without the prickliness. As a matter of fact, you can run your hand over the shrub without scratching. In addition, it likes partial shade and average to dry soils. Most literature doesn’t recommend planting in full sun…