Autumn Brings Dramatic Changes to the Landscape

Then summer fades and passes, and October comes. Will smell smoke then, and feel an unsuspected sharpness, a thrill of nervous, swift elation, a sense of sadness and departure. - Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938), “You Can't Go Home Again”


Each year I am amazed at the dramatic changes during the month of October. At the beginning of the month, the weather and landscape still resemble summer in many ways. Leaves are green, plants are still growing and the temperature is warm. Sometimes, the temperature and humidity feel too high for me.

Many flowers, such as zinnias and tithonias, continue to bloom in early October. There are lots of butterflies and bees still around. When the weather is warm and sunny, I try to convince myself that summer hasn't ended. All is well until mid-month, when changes that were imperceptible in early October begin to emerge in a more obvious way.

Changes Begin By Mid-October

In mid-October, shadows become long and dark in the late afternoon as the sun sinks lower on the horizon. As I walk around my yard, I am startled to see my long shadow across the lawn. It always surprises me with a Halloween feel to it! Hydrangea leaves begin to get brown spots on them. The leaves of my burning bush turn a vivid red. Japanese maples turn red or even yellow. Dusk arrives on an earlier schedule that accelerates daily. Sunshine slips away rapidly.

Toward the end of the month, other changes occur. Temperatures are noticeably cooler and sometimes there is a frost advisory on the weather forecast. Many plants that were dark green or rust-colored a few weeks earlier are now brown and withered. Hosta leaves turn a glorious yellow color, then dry up and become frail. The handsome leaves of the calla lily are now yellow and falling over. Ferns begin to fade away.

The mountain landscape around Asheville takes on a different look with tones of orange, red and yellow. Clouds overhead cast dramatic shadows on the mountainside. It is thrilling to see views of the fall foliage from the higher elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The End of the Life Cycle

By late October the deepening fall season is upon us, marking the end of the life cycle for many insects and plants. The butterflies are long gone and there are fewer bees. The oncoming cold and dark are changes that we must heed to prepare for the approaching winter. I cut down stalks of zinnias, okra, and sunflowers for the brush pile. Each day there are fewer plants in my garden beds.

The pace of the fall season accelerates as the month ends. Leaves drop rapidly from the trees and daylight fades quickly each afternoon. The sugar maples, which were a vivid orange color weeks before, now are showing bare branches. Usually a cold front arrives, bringing gusty winds, along with a killing frost that signals a new phase of fall as we enter November.

Judith Canty Graves is an award-winning columnist with a home garden in Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville.

Late Summer Spiderwebs

The spider's humble handiwork shows fine with jewels girdling every airy line- Louise Imogen Guiney (1861-1920) "Cobwebs"

Do you know what an orb weaver is? It is a large spider that catches its prey in a circular web. Every year, starting in late August, I notice many orb weaver spiders and their webs around my yard. When the light hits the webs in just the right way, they are absolutely magical. Other times, when the light comes from a different direction, the webs are invisible.

Orb weavers are not aggressive spiders. They will leave their web if you approach, so they are not dangerous to humans and pets. The best places for their webs are near flowers and vegetables, which attract many insects. I tend to give them as much space as they need in my garden in order to encourage their web-building activity. I appreciate their ability to capture many insects in their webs.

Recently I wanted to cut some hydrangea blooms and I noticed an ambitious spider had created an amazing circular web between two branches of one of my hydrangea shrubs. I was grateful I had noticed it before I accidentally disturbed it, so I gave it a wide berth.

Webs Can Glisten in the Light

Around the same time, I also noticed a silvery web hanging over my compost bin. It looked like a Christmas ornament floating in the air. I grabbed my camera and sat down in the dirt next to the bin to photograph this incredible design with the spider in it. As I admired the intricacy of this web that was glistening in the light, I moved quickly to photograph it because I knew how fleeting the light can be. Later that afternoon the direction of the light had changed and I could no longer see the web.

An invisible web is one that insects will not notice before they fly into it. Once they do, the vibrations of the web strands notify the spider that prey has entered the web. The spider will bite and paralyze its prey, then wrap it in a silk cocoon to consume later.

Late summer is when the orb weavers are mature and capable of spinning enormous, complex webs. Most of the web is created using a non-sticky spider silk made of protein, but the final layer is sticky for capturing prey. If a web gets destroyed during the day, the spider will build a new one overnight.

Spiders are Beneficial Insects

All these spiderwebs appearing in late summer got me thinking about how beneficial spiders are for gardens and gardeners. They are voracious eaters that trap all kinds of annoying insects, such as mosquitoes, aphids, flies, beetles and wasps. The orb weavers protect you and your plants from many pests.

These spiders are very active this time of year, especially in the evening. When the light is right, their webs' intricate details appear. If you have a garden, be sure to notice them and appreciate the beauty and ecological balance they bring to your yard.

Judith Canty Graves is an award-winning columnist with a home garden in Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville.

Rearranging the Garden in August

The change always comes about mid-August, and it always catches me by surprise. I mean the day I know when summer is fraying at the edges, that September isn't far off, and fall is just over the hill or up the valley. -- Hal Borland

Every August I realize that it is time to begin the process of rearranging my garden to prepare for fall. It seems hard to believe since the summer weather is still warm and sunny, but I can see that certain plants are done for the season. It is time to remove them and replace them with plants for the cooler weather.

The first plant to fade is squash. This is one of the most vigorous plants that I grow. It produces very large leaves on tall stems, vibrant yellow flowers and plentiful fruit. But all the energy that goes into this production begins to wane by mid-August. The handsome leaves lie on the ground, there are few flowers and the squash fruit is minimal. Since squash takes up so much space, it is a good idea to remove it by late August to make room for new fall plants.

Many herbs such as dill and basil also begin to fade. Some of the tomato plants, which grew rapidly and produced delicious fruit, are also done for the season. The cherry tomatoes in particular, which ripen early in July, are no longer producing, so I remove their cages and pull up the plants. It can take several days to remove all the dead vegetation from my garden beds.

How I Rearrange My Garden

I have discovered that there are steps to this process of rearranging the garden for fall growth. First, I remove the obvious plants that are decaying. Then I remove weeds. But after that I need to stand at the border and look at the space that I have created. Suddenly, parts of the garden are bare for the first time since early spring. Now my garden has a different appearance and I have to decide where I want to put in new seedlings, such as cabbage, for the cooler weather.

Also in August, sunflowers start to turn their large heads down as they produce seeds. This always attracts goldfinches that fly around the yard as they hunt for these seeds. I enjoy their chirping and the brilliant yellow plumage of the males.

Late Summer Changes

Although the pollinator activity is still strong in August, I am aware that in a few weeks the insects will begin to slow down or die off. I appreciate the bees and butterflies even more at this time of year knowing that they won't last much longer. Beginning in August colorful lavender New England asters bloom and feed the pollinators.

Late summer changes in the environment are subtle but real. Sunrise comes much later in mid-August and sunset is earlier. The change in daylight is a signal to insects, birds and animals that fall is coming. It's a signal for all of us to heed as we transition to a new season.

Judith Canty Graves is an award-winning columnist with a home garden in Asheville. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Enjoy What You Grow

I enjoy what I grow most when I can place it in a vase or prepare it in the kitchen. No flower arranger or cook could ask for a better source of material. - Carolyne Roehm, At Home in the Garden

One of the most uplifting things gardeners can do is display what they have grown in the garden. Author David Culp writes that bringing flower arrangements into his home is one of the easiest ways to bring the outdoors inside, "...as vital to our way of living as food--food for the body, plants for the soul."

Creativity with Flowers

Flower arranging is a creative activity for me. It is the culmination of planning a garden, preparing the soil, planting seeds, recording notes, and watching the plants grow. At some point, I step back and observe how the plants mature, ripen and reach their pinnacle of growth. Once the blooms are at their peak, I create flower arrangements for my home and share extra bouquets with friends.

Over the years I have collected a variety of vases in which to arrange flowers. I have many glass and pottery vases to accommodate a wide variety of blooms. Once I decide on the flowers I want to arrange, then the experimentation and fun begins. I enjoy finding the best vase and putting the right arrangement in a prominent spot in my house.

I like photographing my arrangements to keep a record of how they looked and which flowers produced the best results. For example, macrophylla hydrangeas produce a range of colors from pink to blue to deep purple. The arrangements are always satisfying to me, even in photographs, long after the flowers have faded.

Sharing the Garden’s Bounty

When my garden harvest is plentiful, I share vegetables with friends and neighbors. Squashes, tomatoes, okra and herbs are fun to harvest and add to meals. The kitchen garden outside my door always produces a great supply of food for cooking, eating and sharing. This garden inspires me to study recipes for delicious dinners on the patio for family and friends.

The vegetable harvest begins in May with sweet Sugar Snap peas. Once the peas finish their season in June, other vegetables and herbs begin to mature, such as tomatoes and sweet basil. By July, the harvest bounty begins, and continues through September. Everyone appreciates the taste of vegetables that come fresh from the garden.

Flowers, vegetables and their foliage are uplifting both outside in the yard and inside the home. With areas of both full sun and partial shade, I can grow a wide variety of both sun-tolerant and shade-loving plants. Over the years, many of my shrubs, such as the hydrangeas, have matured and now produce more blooms than ever.

On my kitchen counter I have a large bowl for displaying the current crop of vegetables. In the summer, it holds a variety of different tomatoes, okra pods and squashes, ready for meals. The visual display of floral arrangements and colorful vegetables is a rejuvenating and creative activity for me.

I hope that you will enjoy the bounty of your garden this summer!

My award-winning column appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

June is a Month of Growth and Wonder

Summer begins now, about a week past, with the expanded leaves, the shade, and warm weather.... Plants are rapidly growing, shooting. The first bloom of the year is over. It is now the season of growth. - Henry David Thoreau, June 1, 1853

There is an unfolding of nature during the month of June. The prelude occurs during the earlier spring season, but the fullness of summer in the South starts in early June. Plants that were new and fresh in April and May now become more mature. Leaves on the trees are completely open and lush. The landscape around us is a vibrant green, slightly darker than the new green growth only a few weeks before.

In June, summer temperatures hit their stride, showing us the wonder and growth of plants everywhere. A succession of blooms open and then fade, uplifting our spirits. Even though the calendar tells us that the solstice begins June 20, in the Southern mountains we experience summer weather weeks earlier.

The Earth Feels Alive

Days become longer and sunrise is earlier. The earth feels more alive, especially with insects buzzing and birds singing daily. Tree frogs are calling for mates. Tiny praying mantises start crawling around the yard after they hatch. We see and hear the changes around us. For gardeners, it sometimes feels challenging to keep up with June's intense growth.

The early blooms of peonies, daffodils and irises have passed. Now the warmer days begin and the grass grows more slowly. The foliage of the macrophylla hydrangeas and the panicle hydrangeas becomes more lush. By June the tiny hydrangea buds of May grow bigger with each passing day. I anticipate the large hydrangea blooms to come!

Ferns unfurl their magnificent leaves. The delicate fiddleheads, which appear in April and May, turn into graceful leaves. Different ferns have different rates of growth. Some are fully open by late April, but others take longer. By June all the ferns spread their glorious green leaves; hostas also are fully grown, with their magnificent colors and patterns.

In June I watch the seedlings I planted weeks ago become taller each day. Tomatoes, in particular, have darker green leaves and thicker stems. They produce tiny yellow flowers as signs of a future harvest bounty. Sunflowers and tithonias grow rapidly and seem established. Colorful calla lilies bloom with their curving shapes and striking spotted foliage.

June is Magical

Fireflies begin to flash their mating signals in the evenings. Late at night, in the dark, I see them twinkling up high in the trees. It is a magical sight. Bullfrogs croak loudly in ponds. Dragonflies are everywhere.

Although I have seen this before, it still seems miraculous. All the changes in the environment are a wonder. The genius of nature is on display every day as the plants, insects, animals and birds grow into maturity. April and May are the months of emergence, but June is the time of fulfilling growth as a new season begins.

Please let me know what is growing in your garden this month in the comments below!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Cultivate the Skill of Observation

Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it - Ralph Waldo Emerson

One day when I had no schedule, I wandered through the Rose Garden at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It was early on a spring morning with no other visitors. I was alone with the roses. In this relaxed setting, with no time restrictions, I felt like my ability to observe the plants was enhanced. I walked slowly, and frequently paused to admire different roses. As the expression goes, I took the time to smell the roses.

During a visit the previous month, I discovered a large rose bush with exquisite lavender blooms. Now, the lavender roses seemed to have disappeared. The passage of time had brought so many changes to the garden. But I found a different lavender rose bush in another location, along with many other types of rose bushes that I hadn't noticed on my previous trip.

We Need Time to See and Admire

I began to think about Georgia O'Keeffe, who wrote about about needing time to truly see and admire what is in front of our eyes. Of course it is possible to rush through a setting and possibly glean important visual details, but I prefer to slowly observe my environment. I like to take in the wider view of the broad landscape, but also to get up close to certain elements, such as the petals of a flower or an insect on a plant.

Is it necessary to learn how to observe what is around us? Sometimes I think it is. Seeing is our vision working correctly, and observation is paying attention to what we see. Observing is the act of being present, of being fully awake in the moment. We need to learn how to observe things in a thoughtful manner and enhance our ability to study details with intention.

Slow Down and Pause

This philosophy applies especially to my work as a writer, photographer and gardener. As I tend to my garden, I carefully notice the plants from day to day. I slow down and pause to study what is growing. I also eliminate distractions, such as talking to others. For me, observation is a solitary act that frequently leads to making photographs of what I observe.

I believe we can develop the skill of observation by employing all the senses, not just vision. I had complete awareness when I walked through the Biltmore rose garden, appreciating the birdsong, the fragrance of the roses, and the overall beauty of the plants in the morning light.

When Georgia O'Keeffe created her large close-up paintings of flowers, she wanted to show details that others could not see. Because they are small, she chose to magnify the flowers on her canvas in order to explore them in depth. She wrote, "If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment." This was how she developed her power of observation. Try cultivating your power of observation by slowing down, eliminating distractions, and appreciating the beauty around you.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

The Earth Turns Green in April

Now in April comes the real beginning of the year. Now everything is new, everything is young.- Gladys Taber

April is the month when there is a noticeable change around us in our environment. After weeks of subtle changes in our yards and gardens, suddenly spring begins to be visible everywhere with grass and leaves showing the lovely color of green that we all crave after months of a brown landscape.

During the winter, I begin to notice some plants emerge, especially if the weather is mild. When I remove the dead growth from catnip plants, I look closely and see tiny new shoots at the base of the plant. It is the same way with the autumn sedum; the new growth is there.

New Growth Appears in February

In February, the tree buds begin to swell, indicating that their period of dormancy has ended. Tiny white snowdrop flowers bloom close to the ground. Daffodil shoots emerge, standing an inch or two high. These are subtle signs, but look closely and you will see them. While it seems like nothing is changing in the natural world, the reality is that a lot is changing.

All the plants, which began to become active in February, now emerge in a stronger and more noticeable way by March. That's when when early spring flowers like daffodils and crocuses bloom, tree buds begin to open, and some leaves unfurl. Grass begins to grow quickly and turn an amazing shade of bright green. Each day the grass seems taller!

As I look at the mountains around my valley in Western North Carolina, I notice a light green tinge appearing by early April when leaves begin to open. The mountainside, which had been brown and gray since October, now comes alive and changes color. By late April, I can see different shades of green and blue on the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is an uplifting sight.

Cool-Weather Vegetables

For those who grow vegetables, April is the month for cool-weather crops like peas, broccoli, and lettuce. These vegetables need cooler weather to grow, so spring and fall are their seasons. Of course, April is also the month when many creatures come out of hibernation, including rabbits, who visit garden beds. To thwart them, I plant marigolds around my vegetable seedlings. I have read that rabbits don't like the smell of marigolds, and they stay away from my vegetables. I think the marigolds are the reason why!

Ferns also begin to grow in April, showing their curly fiddleheads just inches from the ground. To photograph them, I sit on the ground to be close. I can see how tightly their heads are curled up. Over several days, these heads unfurl and the fern plants rise, spreading their graceful green leaves. I have ferns that love the sun and others that love the shade. They are a welcome addition to the spring garden.

April can be a tricky month everywhere, teasing us with pleasant warm days, then delivering cold winter weather soon after. But each day brings us closer to consistently warm weather and the promise of a green landscape all around us.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

A Good Garden Starts Now

The best gardener is the one who does the most gardening by the winter fire. - Liberty Hyde Bailey

Even though it is March, a good garden starts now. Winter is the time to visualize your garden and imagine what plants will go where. Perhaps your yard is covered with snow, but as you keep warm by the fire, you can still study inspiring illustrations in the plant catalogs that start arriving in your mailbox during the winter months.

Before any planting can begin, however, you should think about how to replenish the soil from the previous year. A summer of heavy growth depletes the nutrients in a garden bed. Sometimes I plant a fall garden of vegetables, so that means my garden is producing plants for three seasons and the soil will need amendments.

What Does Your Soil Need?

Testing is the best way to determine what amendments your soil needs. There are many soil test kits available online. North Carolina residents can send soil samples to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service in Raleigh. The reports from these tests will reveal what specific additives your soil needs.

Garden soil is the basis for all plant growth. Good soil is a complex substance with many living organisms such as fungi, bacteria, and algae that combine with insects and earthworms to break down organic matter. This process creates a healthy ecosystem for your plants.

Popular and easy amendments to add are mulched leaves, cow manure, or compost that you can make from your kitchen scraps. I like to add organic matter in the fall that will be absorbed into the soil over the winter. No matter how you do it, preparing your garden beds with amendments is an important task if you want to enjoy a garden bounty of vegetables and flowers.

Soil Amendments

When spring arrives, I visit my local garden center to talk with the staff about what they recommend to improve the soil. There are many good organic products that contain mixtures of manure and other ingredients. Some are best for vegetables and some for flowers. Be sure to read labels and ask questions to get a mixture that is right for what you plan to grow.

Some soil amendments contain worm castings, which is manure from the organic matter that a worm consumes. This material is nature's best soil amendment, full of nutrients, including beneficial micro-organisms. The first time I tried worm castings, my okra plants grew to be twelve feet tall! You can also use worms. Some local garden centers sell live worms in the spring to add to a compost bin to help break down kitchen scraps.

I believe that gardening, cooking, and eating are all interconnected, one leading to the next. It is a joy to walk into my yard and collect fresh organic vegetables for lunch or dinner. Winter is a good season of inward activity when the earth is bare and cold, so I sit by the fire with my cat to plan for the upcoming garden season. Now is the time to plan for what the spring, summer and fall will bring.

Have you started planning your garden? Let me know what you would like to grow this year!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Planting Peas in February

Peas are not just a side dish. They're a way of life. --- Unknown

One of the benefits of living in the mountains of Western North Carolina is being able to plant pea seeds in late February. Before moving here, I never could have imagined that. The combination of a mild, short winter and peas being a cool weather crop is ideal for early planting. During the winter, I look out my kitchen window at the bare trellis. It looks to me like the trellis is waiting for the peas!

Different Types of Peas

In anticipation, I look at garden catalogs to decide which types of pea seeds to order. There are three different types of peas: shelling peas, snow peas, and snap peas. All of them need full to partial sun and cool temperatures to grow well. Snow peas have fairly flat pods. Shelling peas have inedible pods with plump delicious peas inside the pod. Sugar Snap peas have sweet, delicious pods that mature early.

One feature of peas is that they produce delicate white, and occasionally lavender, flowers. In early spring, when I am yearning for new growth, I am always delighted to see the handsome round leaves of the pea plants with their dainty flowers. It is such a vibrant sight!

It is easy to plant the large, round pea seeds. Planting in late February means that germinating shoots will emerge from the soil in March. By April their tendrils start to hook onto the trellis and climb. In mid-May the plants produce flowers, which turn into pods by late May. At this stage the pea stalks are taller than the six foot high trellis. At first I can't see the pods when I look for them, but there they are, hiding in plain sight, blending perfectly with the green foliage.

Peas Are a Sign of Spring

Picking the young pods, which are tender and crunchy, is truly a sign of spring. I can eat the entire pod, or I can let the pods mature to form big peas. Either is delicious.

One way to extend the pea harvest in the spring is to plant peas that can handle the warm weather. I discovered that Sugar Daddy peas last longer than Sugar Snap peas. The Sugar Daddy plant is not as tall as Sugar Snap, but it fits in well on my trellis. Cascadia Snap peas also have shorter vines with a great tasting pod. The young pods are crunchy and incredibly fresh. I pick them right outside my kitchen and then bring them inside for dinner or eat them for a snack.

The season for peas, like so many other plants, is fleeting. By mid-June, once the weather warms up, the vines turn brown and wilt, so I try to be aware of their growth and pick the pods when they are at their peak. The reward for my February labor is a delicious treat later in the spring that comes straight from the garden!

What are your garden plans for this spring? Leave a comment to let me know!

Judith Canty Graves is an Asheville gardener with a background in photojournalism. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

January is a Time of Reflection

It is reasonable that a man should be something worthier at the end of the year than he was at the beginning. - Henry David Thoreau, 1852

It is quite an achievement to reach the end of a year with all its ups and downs, surprises, changes, losses, births and deaths. Every year in early January, I contemplate my passage into the new year. Each year is eventful.

This is the time of year most people like to reflect on what happened the previous twelve months and think about what the future might bring. It is a universal feeling. Can we let go of the past? Can we plan for the future? What have we learned?

The namesake of January, Janus, was the god of change in Roman mythology. He had two faces, one looking into the past and one looking into the future, so he symbolized time and life's transitions. The Romans worshipped him at their times of transition, such as spring planting and fall harvest, youth and adulthood, as well as marriages and deaths.

Transitions During the Year

As each year is full of transitions, it is appropriate for gardeners to reflect on the past year. There are so many changes in the natural world over twelve months that I need a period of inactivity and dormancy to absorb what happened in my garden during that time. That's why I love January, when the earth is sleeping and I can lead a more inward life.

Western North Carolina enjoys four distinct seasons, which makes for a year of constant change and stimulation. This means that keeping a garden journal during the year is essential because it is difficult to remember in January what was planted last spring, which types of plants did well and where they grew best. Even when I don't have much time to write detailed descriptions, I try to jot down a brief note or two about how the plants did. I also take photographs to help as reference.

When it is winter and I look at the photographs of my summer garden, I am always amazed, as if seeing these lush plants for the very first time. The contrast is so striking. Were the plants really that tall and green? I ask myself that question as I look at the barren winter landscape. Yes, they were!

Thinking About the New Year

This is the month I will spend time inside reading garden books and dreaming about what I would like for my garden in the coming year. I will walk around my yard with my cat, looking at different planting areas and noticing how the sun strikes them. Of course the sun will change by spring and summer, so I need to be mindful of that.

It is important to have a vision of what to grow and where to grow it. As we transition to the new year I use the time to develop my vision of my gardening future. Spring planting is a major event for me, so January is the time to reflect on the past and imagine what the next growing season will bring.

What are your gardening goals for the new year? Please leave a comment and let me know!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

December Light

It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. - John Burroughs

As our gardens fade in autumn, there is a noticeable change in the quality of the light that illuminates them. With the approach of winter, the days become shorter and the light becomes more intense. Everything seems clear and well-defined. Once the sun sets in the early afternoon, the dark shadows that trees cast on the earth quickly disappear. The December landscape seems fleeting because of how quickly night descends upon us.

As a photographer, I am especially attuned to the light around me. I notice how it changes every season, but it is especially dramatic in the fall. With the sun lower on the horizon, the landscape becomes more pronounced, a result of what the poet Emily Dickinson described as "a certain Slant of light."

The Shadows of December

Some people think winter light creates a dreary effect, but I hold the opposite view. As the earth turns toward winter, I find a quiet beauty in the fall colors. December's afternoon sunlight is the most striking of all, casting amazing shadows.

The December solstice officially begins the winter season. For centuries, people all over the world have observed solstice traditions, recognizing the waning light at the end of the harvest season and culminating in the longest night of the year. Many winter solstice traditions celebrate the birth of the sun, knowing that with each day after the solstice, the days become longer.

With short days and long nights, the earth settles down, the growing season ends with the first killing frost and gardens become dormant. Many plants and insects disappear from the landscape. The natural world rests during this time of darkness. Gardeners also have time to rest in winter after three seasons of planting and harvesting.

December is a good time to evaluate the previous growing season and to plan for the next. Seeing the open and bare garden beds in the winter gives me the space for my imagination to roam as I contemplate how they might look next year.

Vita Sackville-West, the English novelist and garden designer wrote, "People who are not gardeners always say that the bare beds of winter are uninteresting; gardeners know better, and take even a certain pleasure in the neatness of the newly dug, bare, brown earth." I could not agree more!

The Winter Landscape

Spending time outdoors in the winter can be an uplifting opportunity to soak up the sun on a bright day, move in the brisk air and study the bare branches of the trees. We connect with nature when we venture outside and appreciate the transformation of a landscape with newly fallen snow.

But December also signals the time to turn inward, spend time indoors in a cozy home when the weather is too cold, and enjoy the winter season that is beginning.

This article also appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Praying Mantis: Friend or Foe?

From whence arrived the praying mantis? From outer space, or lost Atlantis?
- Ogden Nash

I have always considered the praying mantis to be a beneficial insect that helped control pests in my garden. They have voracious appetites and eat whatever they can, including many garden pests such as wasps, mosquitoes, and flies.

Two Types of Praying Mantis

But in recent years I've read articles about two types of praying mantises: the Chinese mantis, which is not native to the United States but originated in Asia, and the Carolina mantis, a species native to the Southeast. Most of us have probably never seen a Carolina mantis because the larger, more aggressive Chinese mantis has largely replaced the native species since its accidental introduction to the United States in 1895.

There are differences between the two. The most obvious is size. The Chinese mantis can grow as large five inches, while the Carolina mantis is rarely larger than three. Another difference is the size and shape of the egg case, called an ootheca. Chinese mantis egg cases are described as resembling "tan toasted marshmallows." The Carolina mantis ootheca is smaller and elongated with a smooth surface and brown stripes. But, perhaps the most notable difference is the greater predatory skill of the Chinese mantis.

There is some controversy about whether the Chinese mantis is an invasive pest. The US Department of Agriculture does not think so, but many conservation groups disagree. Since the mantis hunts around flowering plants during summer and fall, it eats many beneficial pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies. The Chinese mantis also eats the smaller Carolina mantis and has been known to eat small reptiles, amphibians and even hummingbirds. This was distressing for me to read! After finding the remains of several Swallowtail butterflies in my yard last summer, I decided to do something.

My Experiment

Last November, after I found 32 Chinese mantis egg cases in my yard, I threw the cases into a pond as recommended on a website about invasive species. Even though not all newly hatched mantises survive, these egg cases represented possibly hundreds of adult mantises. Next, I ordered three Carolina mantis egg cases from the Praying Mantis Shop. Following the instructions, I kept them indoors in a paper bag until the weather became consistently warm by late May. Then, I carefully tied the egg cases to hidden branches of shrubs in my yard. By July I began to see smaller green mantises in the bushes.

As the summer progressed, I observed dozens of Swallowtail butterflies in my garden visiting my colorful zinnias, as well as a few Monarchs. It was a joyous sight to watch them flutter from flower to flower. I have never had so many butterflies in my yard before and I think the reason for this was that there were fewer Chinese mantises.

I will continue my experiment with praying mantises to see if my observations this past year repeat next next summer. My goal is to find a balance in my yard between native and non-native insects to create a healthier ecosystem.

Have you noticed the large praying mantises in your yard? Please let me know what you think about them.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Gardening in the Autumn

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus

Autumn heralds many changes in the garden. Once October is underway, the changes become dramatic as we move quickly into the fall season. The days become shorter, and cooler temperatures for both day and night bring relief in many ways. The intense heat of summer fades, so it is easier to work outside for longer periods. Destructive insects die off so that cabbages and other fall vegetables have a chance to thrive without lacy patterns chewed into their leaves.

Many Vegetables Grow Well in the Fall

By October, the cool weather seedlings that I bought at my local garden center in August are a good size. I like to grow broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale. I buy seedlings because starting these plants from seeds in August doesn't allow enough time for them to mature before the cold weather begins. I have always been pleased and somewhat surprised that these seedlings grow so well in the fall.

My favorite plant of all of the cool weather vegetables is the magnificent red cabbage with its enormous leaf span. When I plant the tiny seedlings in mid-August, I have to remind myself to give them plenty of space, because by October the blue leaves with their red veins spread wide across the ground. As the handsome leaves unfurl and reveal a cabbage head in the center, insects do not eat them. Even with the cold temperatures of November and December, this plant survives beautifully and the head is delicious to eat.

Another change in the fall is that weeds no longer have the tenacious hold they have during the summer. Most have dried up and died, making them easy to remove. Some weeds have been covering important pathways, so I weed these areas first so I can see where I am going. I can then extend my weeding to other areas of my garden beds.

The Benefit of an Autumn Garden

An autumn garden also provides an important emotional benefit. By early November the leaves are falling from the trees and the winter landscape emerges. While I always admire the bare tree branches, they are a stark reminder of the approaching winter. As a contrast, my autumn garden is green and lush! The large and handsome cabbage and broccoli plants remind me that there is more growth to enjoy before winter arrives.

The cooler October temperatures allow additional opportunities for garden chores like dividing perennials and removing dead plant material. I use this time to cut back plants like peonies. They have finished for the season, so I pile the removed foliage in the back of the yard for creatures that will need shelter over the winter. It is also the perfect time to install new plants because the soil is still warm but the days are cool.

In October I always feel a bit wistful because the earth has visibly changed and summer is gone, but I appreciate extending the growing season with my autumn garden. Are growing vegetables this fall? Please let me know which ones in the comments below!

Judith Canty Graves is an Asheville gardener with a background in photojournalism. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Find Your Sanctuary

I have a room all to myself; it is Nature. ~ Henry David Thoreau, January, 1853

Finding a peaceful spot in a natural environment is important for me, as I imagine it is for most gardeners. Nature is soothing, so I spend as much time outdoors as I can. Most of all, I want a quiet place to gather my thoughts and enjoy the sun and the sounds of nature.

Your Personal Retreat

The dictionary defines the word sanctuary as a place of refuge or repose, a place where you can find peace. The origin of the word sanctuary is from the Latin sanctuarium, and sanctus, meaning holy. A natural location, such as a garden or a park, can be a retreat from the world where you experience the beauty of nature and emerge rested.

In the back of my yard there is a bench where I sit and listen to a small waterfall on a nearby creek. This spot is a place to take a break or to have a conversation with a friend. The bench and the creek are my sanctuary.

Your sanctuary can be a balcony, a patio or even a porch with container plants that you enjoy. This is the spot where you unwind and appreciate the world around you. Recently, as I visited a friend, we sat outside on her porch on a perfect summer day. The breeze was cool and the clouds were slowly moving overhead. We remarked on the beauty of the clouds, the blue sky and the peaceful setting, surrounded by her colorful flowers.

Any time of year when we spend time outside in our outdoor space, our senses are heightened. We can appreciate bird calls, breezes, water flowing or chimes tinkling in the wind. Certain visual features in the landscape are powerful as well, such as a path, a trellis, stone fences or an attractive bench. I love paths that meander through a property, leading a visitor from one garden area to another.

Express Your Creativity in Your Garden

We can also add artwork to our gardens to enhance the natural setting and to express our creativity. On a recent garden tour I enjoyed seeing one gardener's creative sculptures featuring imaginative faces and creatures on pathways in her garden. It was a joyful experience walking around her property and finding these surprising and colorful pieces of art. In other gardens on the tour I saw a personal temple area with hammocks for relaxing and a private place on a hillside with comfortable chairs.

Even if you don't have a suitable yard or patio, you can find your personal sanctuary in a public park or a conservation area. One of my favorite spots in past years was Mount Misery in Lincoln, Massachusetts, a place where Henry David Thoreau frequently spent time and wrote about. The paths through the woods and past the ponds where he walked are magical, uncrowded and peaceful. They became a sanctuary for me that I enjoyed throughout the year. Find your own sanctuary in your yard or somewhere else, and visit it often.

Do you have you own peaceful sanctuary in nature that you call your own? Share it with me in the comments!

Judith Canty Graves is an Asheville gardener with a background in photojournalism. This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Summertime Abundance

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

August is when we experience the fullness of the summer season. All the initial growth from late spring and early summer is now steady, vigorous and strong. Plants have thicker stems, broader leaves and many blossoms. As I walk around my yard, I feel like they are vibrating with energy. This is a season that I truly savor each day because there is so much richness around me.

What’s Growing in August

In the morning the squash plants are spectacular with their orange-yellow blossoms. Their enormous leaves hide the growing squash fruit. Dozens of bees pollinate, tendrils curl, and thick stalks grow stronger from the ground to the leaves. As the squash foliage reaches across the walkway into the zinnia bed, I remind myself to leave more room next year when I plant the tiny seeds.

During August the sunflowers produce spectacular blooms that are noticeable because of their size and beauty. The flowering zinnias are striking with colors of red, purple, yellow, pink, lavender, white and orange. There is color everywhere in the summer landscape.

With more blooms out, butterflies and bees arrive to enjoy the nectar and pollen. Hummingbirds appear briefly, then dart away before I can get a good look. Finches also appear, inspecting the sunflowers to see if the seeds are ready. The amount of plant growth, pollinator activity and bird calls seem to increase daily.

The sun still sets late every day. I enjoy working outside in the cool evening air until about 8:30. There is plenty of light. At this point, summer feels endless. My senses are heightened with the sunshine, the warm air and the plants in my garden. Spending time in my yard is a sensory experience as I listen to the birds and take in the bounty of this magical season.

Summer Pleasures

Tailgate markets are bursting with produce, every dinner at my house features fresh vegetables, and best of all, it is peach season! I know the peaches won't last too long, but I treasure every bite. Tomatoes and squashes are plentiful, so I look for new recipes for how to cook them. Also, eating some fruits and vegetables raw is even more satisfying because their flavors are so strong and delicious.

Panicle hydrangeas reach their peak in August. I have several Limelight hydrangeas that grow to about ten feet tall. They reliably produce handsome white blooms with a light green tint that last for weeks. Arranging floral bouquets is one of my favorite things to do, especially in the summer when the flowers are right outside my door. I enjoy having the bouquets in my kitchen to remind me of all the flowers outside.

Another great joy of summer is sharing my flowers and vegetables with friends. My garden overflows with abundance; there is simply too much to keep! Having this bounty to share makes summer a perfect season of the year. Do you share flowers and vegetables with your friends? It is fun to do!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Be Patient with Moonflowers

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience – Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the most exotic plants that I have ever grown is the mysterious and stunning moonflower. This is not an easy plant to germinate, but it is worth the effort. Several years ago I bought seeds and planted them as I usually do. Nothing happened and I didn't know why until I did some research. I discovered that the seeds need to be soaked for several hours, and then their hard shells need to be cut open. What a fussy plant! The next spring I used nail clippers to snip a bit off each seed after soaking, and this time they sprouted.

A Nocturnal Bloom

A unique feature of the moonflower is that it blooms at dusk and each bloom lasts for only one night. However, the effect of seeing these large white blossoms of approximately eight inches wide at night is magical. Nighttime pollinators, such as moths and bats, are attracted to the moonflower's sweet scent.

Since the moonflower is a vine, I plant the seeds at the base of my trellis in May. It seems to take a long time for sprouts to emerge, but eventually they do. Large handsome leaves appear as the plant climbs over the trellis. Finally, in late August, I begin to see buds. By mid-September, the blooms began to unfurl as evening approaches. The bud opens quickly, which is a thrill to watch! By dawn the next day the flower fades. Seeing an open moonflower at night under the full moon is a glorious sight.

Moonflowers do well in a Southern climate. In Western North Carolina, the blooms keep coming throughout most of October until the nights become cool. Then the moonflower season is over. It is a long wait from planting seeds in May to the appearance of blooms in September and October, but a gardener's patience is rewarded by the beauty of this nocturnal-blooming plant.

Two Types of Moonflowers

Gardeners should be aware that there are two different plants referred to as "moonflowers," with names like devil's trumpet, jimson weed, devil's weed or loco weed. One is Datura stramonium and the other is Ipomoea alba, which is the one that I grow.

There are significant distinctions between the two plants. Datura blooms during the day and grows low to the ground. Also, its flower is a different shape than Ipomoea. More importantly, all parts of the Datura are highly poisonous to both humans and animals. Even Ipomoea can be mildly toxic if ingested, but it is safe to touch, so it is a much better option for the gardener than Datura. When you buy moonflower seeds, be sure to read the packet carefully to see which variety you are buying.

Many cultures have associated the moonflower with a sense of mystery, love and spiritual enlightenment. If you have a trellis in a sunny area and you are willing to be patient, consider growing the magnificent Ipomoea alba moonflower.

Have you had success growing moonflowers? Please share any tips you may have in the comment section below.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

A Lost Plant is a Gardening Opportunity

The seeds of resilience are planted in the way we process the negative events in our lives.
- Sheryl Sandberg

Over the Christmas weekend in 2022, Western North Carolina had a major freeze for two days and nights due to a bomb cyclone named Winter Storm Elliot. During that weekend the temperature dropped from fifty degrees to zero degrees in only eight hours as a powerful cold front moved in. This sudden drop in temperature is known as a flash freeze. Forecasters called Elliot a "once in a generation" weather event.

Watch the Weather

As a gardener, I always watch weather forecasts carefully and I was anxious about possible damage to the plants in my yard. There was no way to put row cover on many sensitive plants, especially with the high winds that came with the temperature drop. There was nothing I could do, so I waited through the Christmas weekend hoping for the best.

Over the coming days I walked around my yard to inspect the plants. I was shocked to see damage on many broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, camellias, skip laurels, acubas, and two mahonia plants. The mahonias were about to open their small yellow flowers in late December, but the freeze killed them. All the mahonia leaves turned brown a few days later and dropped to the ground.

During the next few weeks I found videos online of garden experts describing the damage. VolunteerGardener.org in Tennessee had an excellent video explaining how the arctic cold killed the cells in the leaves of broadleaf evergreens. Ending on a positive note, the video host pointed out that a lost plant is a gardening opportunity. That advice resonated with me and the idea of a gardening opportunity became the inspiration for this column.

Gardens Change

By March many of my damaged plants were showing signs of life, forming new buds for leaves and flowers. Nature is resilient, so I was hopeful that at least some of the plants would revive, especially once spring began. But I noticed that my mahonia shrubs still showed no sign of life. Even scraping the bark did not reveal green inside. These were lost plants and no amount of waiting would bring them back. So I began to think about what opportunity this gave me. As I have written before, our gardens are constantly changing, so we must adapt to changes as they happen.

I began to imagine what I could put in this new opening in my garden, which was a pleasant exercise. I took my cue from a group of hydrangeas nearby, and I decided to fill in the space with more hydrangeas.

This is a process that gardeners embark on every spring after a winter of dreaming about their gardens. Of course, there is the hard work of digging, pruning, and cleaning out the winter debris, but that is the foundation of the creative side of gardening. Losing the two mature mahonia shrubs with their handsome evergreen leaves was a big loss, but it also created an opportunity for additional hydrangea blooms in my yard.

Did the freeze last winter affect your plants too? Let me know in the comments below.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

A Treasured Perennial

The rose must yield first rank to the modern peony, which by reason of its sheer wealth of splendor and majesty of presence is now entitled to be called the Queen of Flowers.
- Alice Harding, The Peony Book

One of the most exquisite plants for the spring season is the elegant peony. Nothing else compares to its beauty. I love many flowers, but peony blooms capture my heart. Alice Harding, who wrote two books on peonies in 1917 and 1923, was a passionate gardener who became an authority on peonies.

Types of Peonies

Most gardeners grow herbaceous peonies that are approximately three feet tall. A different variety, the tree peony, has a woody stem that can reach up to seven feet high. A third variety is the Itoh peony, named for Toichi Itoh, a Japanese botanist who crossed a tree peony with a herbaceous peony in the 1940s. There are seven different types of Itoh peonies that all produce large and plentiful blooms.

Dating back to 1000 BCE, peonies were originally native to China and were later introduced to Japan. Because the Chinese emperors grew them in their gardens they became symbols of wealth, honor and nobility. Herbaceous peonies arrived in Europe in 1548 and tree peonies in 1789, when the botanist Sir Joseph Banks planted one in Kew Gardens, London. Now peonies are beloved all around the world.

Peonies bloom beginning in May or June depending on where you live. The range of colors, the types of blooms, the fragrance and the handsome foliage all delight the senses. Every spring, this intense period of large ethereal flowers captivates me.

Fall Chores for Peonies

But I have learned that there is more to peonies than spring blooms. Each fall, I spend a lot of time preparing these beauties for the winter and the following spring. This is important in order to have good blooms in the future.

One of my fall tasks is to cut back the foliage of herbaceous peonies close to the ground. Then I like to sit on the ground next to each peony and look closely for the plant's "eyes." These are the tiny red buds that will produce next year's flowers. These buds need to be near the surface of the soil.

Once I locate the eyes of each plant I make sure they are no more than two inches from the surface. Eyes that are covered with too much dirt or mulch will not produce blooms the next spring. As far as I am concerned, the eyes have it!

Also, fall is the best time to buy bare-root peonies from local nurseries or mail order garden shops. These are the dormant roots of an established plant that have been dug up and refrigerated before selling. They will need to be planted in a location with full sun and at a depth that is not too deep.

If you perform your fall tasks well, by early spring the eyes will turn into maroon colored stems about an inch high. At this point, the stems grow rapidly as the plant responds to the warm rays of the sun. According to Alice Harding, when she could see the red tips of her peonies growing, she knew the garden season had begun. I agree with her!

What kind of peonies are you growing?

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily! It also won second prize in the columns category from the National Federation of Press Women in their 2024 Communications Contest.

Choose Native Plants for Your Garden

Native plants give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours. I want Texas to look like Texas and Vermont to look like Vermont. — Lady Bird Johnson

In recent years there has been an increased awareness of native plants as we learn about the effect of climate change and environmental stresses on pollinators. Gardeners everywhere are trying to reverse the trend of pollinator decline by selecting plants that are appropriate to their home environment and region.

Our Yards Are Complex Eco Systems

Like so many others, I am learning about the importance of native plants in our environment, but my awareness is growing beyond that. As I research this topic, I am becoming aware that our own yards are complex ecosystems. The birds, insects, flowers and the soil are interdependent. Our gardens and yards are living habitats where these elements all depend on each other.

As gardeners, we need to think in terms of what plants are best suited for our yards. There are many shrubs, trees and flowers that are indigenous to the mountains of North Carolina. Having a variety of vegetation that is appropriate to our region can create attractive environments for beneficial insects and many types of birds.

Resources for Gardeners

One excellent place to find out about local flora is Carolina Native Nursery, located in Burnsville, North Carolina. Bill Jones, the Founder and President, talked to me about why people should be interested in native plants. He said "A lot of us moved here for the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, so it makes sense to continue this in your own landscape. Native plants do better because they have evolved over the millennia to the weather, soils and environment. Indigenous plants support the indigenous flora and fauna. These plants have evolved to the nutrient level of the soils and the type of weather."

On my visits to Carolina Native Nursery I have noticed a great variety of healthy looking plants for sale. Bill and his staff are a knowledgeable resource for gardeners wanting to learn more. Their website is www.carolinanativenursery.com.

Another important resource for gardeners interested in supporting local plants and insects is The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman, founder of EcoBeneficial. The book explains the details of pollination and how to attract and support bees, butterflies, bats and other pollinators. This is a must-have book for gardeners! You can learn more about this book at www.ecobeneficial.com/pvg. The website and book are full of great ideas to help you become a better ecological steward of your landscape. The website also contains a comprehensive list of native plants for the Southeast as well as other parts of the country.

Many homeowners are now replacing their grass lawns with meadows of local flowers. The idea is that these meadows will create a thriving ecosystem for native bees, honey bees, wasps, birds and butterflies. Even renters who have small spaces can create container gardens with native plants on their patios. Regardless of your situation, take a good look at your home landscape this year and consider how you can improve your environment with plants that are indigenous to your region.

Do you plant native plants in Spring? What are your favorites? I would love to know.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Early Spring in the Mountains

These March winds, which make the woods roar and fill the world with life and bustle, appear to wake up the trees out of their winter sleep and excite the sap to flow. - Henry David Thoreau, Journal of March 9, 1852

I enjoy reading the Journals of Henry David Thoreau, who lived in Concord, Massachusetts, from 1817 to 1862. His many volumes contain various descriptions about life in that era, especially details of the natural world. One of my favorites is Early Spring in Massachusetts, which records Thoreau's observations from late February through mid-April over a period of many years. His book inspired my title for this column.

I have always felt that early spring is its own special season. It is the time of transition between the end of winter and the warm weather of late spring that we all cherish. The bridge period is the month of March.

Living In WNC

The Western mountains of North Carolina can experience harsh winter weather in March despite being in the South. Spring begins tentatively in late February with mild days and emerging flowers, but March often roars in like a lion with gusty winds, cloudy days, freezing temperatures and sometimes snow, especially in the higher elevations. It feels like winter will hang on forever, but just before the Equinox in mid-March the tide begins to turn and Nature moves forward into the new season with green grass everywhere and a steady warmth.

The warm February and March days allow plants to swell their buds and then open, leaving them vulnerable to the killing frosts that can often occur in March. This can be a nerve-wracking time for gardeners. New blooms, such as daffodils, are so fragile and delicate that my only defense is to pick as many of them as I can for floral arrangements before they perish in a freeze.

Early Spring Changes

Early spring brings with it signs of change everywhere, even though they can be subtle. Tiny white snowdrop flowers appear with crocuses. Birds return and sing throughout the day. Buds on trees grow bigger. Occasionally a bee or a small moth appears in the garden. The biggest change is that the sun is higher in the sky and stronger. Each day is longer. Sitting outside on a mild March afternoon in the sun is a blissful experience after a long and dark winter.

Yet, we cannot assume it will be like that every day. March, and even April, demand that we be aware of sudden changes in weather. Such is the reality of early spring: the roller-coaster ride of fluctuating temperatures. Gardeners have to pay careful attention to the weather during those months to protect plants with row cover or bring plants inside in case of abrupt temperature changes.

Early spring is an unpredictable season with many weather changes, but it is also full of promise for what is to come. We always hope March will exit like a lamb into a warm and spring-like April! Are you experiencing warmer days now where you live? Let me know!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!