You might see this native vine turning a brilliant fall color right now. As you travel along highways and roadsides, look in to the deciduous woodland for signs of Virginia creeper (
Parthenocissus quinquefolia) as it becomes quite conspicuous as it appears as an upright "beacon of crimson" as it clings to tree trunks and can climb as tall as any of our tallest trees. This vine has a wide native range and is an important food source (berries) for birds although the fruits are toxic to humans. This vigorous vine has leaflets of five although juvenille foliage frequently will have three lobes and look "poison ivy like". This vine will climb trees and even adhere to surfaces like brick and siding. Be wary of the vigor of this vine as it can be fairly aggressive and even engulf neighboring trees and shrubs in the landscape. There is a very ornamental variety of Virginia creeper with variegated, cream-blotched leaves called 'Star Showers' that has similar vigor and a nice look (including some reddish fall color as well). Unfortunately this variety has some green reversions that need to be removed. It does well in part shade too though... Below is a wooly bear caterpillar (
Pyrrhartica isabella) that my daughter found this weekend. Folklore holds that the severity of winter is related to the width of the brown center band. A wide band means a mild winter and a narrow band means a tough winter. This myth has been proven to have no value but I like to think the one we found (with a wide band) means a milder winter than last year!
Tony worked on more pressure washing while Rick kept busy hauling and placing boulders to shore up some of our previously flooded paths. Larry did lots of projects including weed whipping in the rain. Sprinkles came down all afternoon and continue this evening. Jerry worked on winterizing one of our ponds and collecting debris. Janice had a great crew of Kay, Heidi and Barb. The ladies did some major clean-up and their productivity is something to behold! Great day despite the weather (and we could use the rain anyway). Below is another shot of Virginia creeper (just turning red) that is working up a large tree. Always garden in three dimensions and look for "vertical opportunities" with vines. Know your vine though before it's planted!!!
You might see this native vine turning a brilliant fall color right now. As you travel along highways and roadsides, look in to the deciduous woodland for signs of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) as it becomes quite conspicuous as it appears as an upright "beacon of crimson" as it clings to tree trunks and can climb as tall as any of our tallest trees. This vine has a wide native range and is an important food source (berries) for birds although the fruits are toxic to humans. This vigorous vine has leaflets of five although juvenille foliage frequently will have three lobes and look "poison ivy like". This vine will climb trees and even adhere to surfaces like brick and siding. Be wary of the vigor of this vine as it can be fairly aggressive and even engulf neighboring trees and shrubs in the landscape. There is a very ornamental variety of Virginia creeper with variegated, cream-blotched leaves called 'Star Showers' that has similar vigor and a nice look (including some reddish fall color as well). Unfortunately this variety has some green reversions that need to be removed. It does well in part shade too though... Below is a wooly bear caterpillar (Pyrrhartica isabella) that my daughter found this weekend. Folklore holds that the severity of winter is related to the width of the brown center band. A wide band means a mild winter and a narrow band means a tough winter. This myth has been proven to have no value but I like to think the one we found (with a wide band) means a milder winter than last year!
Tony worked on more pressure washing while Rick kept busy hauling and placing boulders to shore up some of our previously flooded paths. Larry did lots of projects including weed whipping in the rain. Sprinkles came down all afternoon and continue this evening. Jerry worked on winterizing one of our ponds and collecting debris. Janice had a great crew of Kay, Heidi and Barb. The ladies did some major clean-up and their productivity is something to behold! Great day despite the weather (and we could use the rain anyway). Below is another shot of Virginia creeper (just turning red) that is working up a large tree. Always garden in three dimensions and look for "vertical opportunities" with vines. Know your vine though before it's planted!!!
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