The month of June has certainly whizzed by fast. It seems as if I just barely got the gardens planted and here it is less than two weeks away from the Fourth of July. I’m hoping the tiger lilies will make a showing this year. I have been diligently drowning Scarlet Lily beetles in soapy water (eschewing chemical pesticides) and so far have kept any beetles grubs from devouring the leaves and buds. In spite of the near drought conditions this past spring, enough rain has fallen so many plants are doing well.
The local Water and Light Department went around this past winter cutting back tree branches and shrubbery from the overhead wires. They trimmed back some of the branches on the two Washington Hawthorn trees on the front lawn, which must have been a major undertaking as the trees are gifted with two inch long needle sharp thorns which they aren’t afraid to use. But the trimming didn’t phase the hawthorns as they leafed out well this spring and are now in full blossom. One thing I didn’t discover until the lower branches began producing flowers as well as the upper is that this particular variety of hawthorn has flowers that – well – smell like something died. This hasn’t stopped bees from visiting it as well as the expected flies, wasps and other odd-looking insects. Makes me wonder what the honey might taste like.
Another much less welcome plant has shown up again as well. That would be poison ivy (the plant, not the DC villainess)
The photo above shows the leaves at dead center. Most people know the adage; ‘Leaflets three, let it be’. But there’s another rhyme associated with the plant which is less well known. ‘Berries white, take flight!’ The plant has non-descript tiny flowers which produce whitish berries. These are toxic to humans but not to birds who devour them without any hesitation. The seeds in the berry survive the trip through their digestive tracts and get excreted with a nice little packet of bird guano to give them a good start. So if you are wondering how those darn poison ivy vines started growing where none had been before, that’s how. I use long handled clippers for trimming them back as far as I can without risk to myself, not being brave and bold enough to try pulling them up by (gloved) hand.
Within the past few decades, another vine has made its appearance here in northern New Hampshire. Virginia Creeper now grows rampantly along local roadsides often overwhelming other plants. It has occasionally been mistaken for poison-ivy but only by people who can’t count. Poison-ivy has just three leaves, while Virginia Creeper has five.
While it is native to North America, it is sometimes classed as an invasive due to its exuberant growth. Because of its handsome dark red color in the fall, people have sometimes planted it as an ornamental only to rue it afterwards.
Given how fast it has spread around the area here over the past few years, it would probably qualify as America’s answer to Kudzu. However while Kudzu is actually edible, Virginia Creeper and its dusty blue berries are to be avoided due to their oxalic acid content which can cause digestive upset and even kidney problems. As with poison-ivy berries, birds are not bothered by this substance and can eat them without worrying about intestinal blowback. Many songbirds relish them and turkeys will eat them as well. With the recent boom in the population of turkeys introduced to this state starting back in the Seventies, their favorites foods have spread along with the birds themselves; Virginia Creeper, grapes, and (gulp) yes, poison ivy.
Although I live in a residential neighborhood in town, a surprising number of animals still share the area with the humans who have overrun it. Bears will trash feeders if available, woodchucks and raccoons will cheerfully raid unprotected gardens and what they don’t get, the deer will polish off. Chipmunks and grey squirrels are ubiquitous along with the occasional red fox. Once several years ago I spotted a bobcat trotting across my lawn early in the morning in a very business-like fashion. Not sure if he was a vagabond or if he actually lived in town. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did as there is enough prey around to support a townie lifestyle. Most of these critters stay carefully out of sight so it’s easy to be startled by how many there actually are. The Covid lockdown last year emptied the streets of humans and as a result a surprising number of critters popped out of the woodwork much to the astonishment of many people.
Each summer presents its own challenges as well as pleasant experiences. It will be interesting to see what July brings to the table. Happy Summer!
