Spring flowers in Charlottesville Virginia on way to Ivy Landfill passing by Grand View Nursery

Azalea's are blooming. This was an impressive one at GV

If I were to rank Spring Seasons, I would have to say the bloom period this year has been stellar. Sometimes it can be so wet that you can't even get out and enjoy the plants, or they get so beaten down that the blooms get destroyed. Other times Spring can occur way too early in the season and Daffodils, Forsythia, Peach blooms, and Tulips get fried by frost or even freezes. I remember one Spring in the last 10 years that transitioned so quickly from cool temperatures to hot that everything bloomed all at once and there was really no Spring to be had, only miserable Summer humidity. That was absolutely the most disappointing Spring of them all.

Funny little statuary at Grand View

I have a regular route that I like to trek in order to check on a few spots of color. Typically in the Spring I have to make a trip to the Ivy Landfill and I make a point to drive by Grand View Nursery located at 648 Dry Bridge Road in Albemarle County Virginia. I barely missed the Daffodil blooms this year and sadly because of the coronavirus outbreak you are not permitted to get out of your car to stroll in the gardens. My photos were taken while sitting in the car!

Waterfalls at Grand View

I didn't bring my mask because I didn't imagine the greenhouses would even be open, but they ARE - hours are approximately M-Sat 9-4.  They are only letting 10 people in at a time and 8 were shopping. That was 8 too many for me without a mask! Sigh. They are a seasonal business and are only open in the Spring until around July 4th each year. They have a great sale during that time on what little that remains.

Lounging Longhorns

On the drive back we always pass the field of Texas Longhorns. I'm sure every day someone discovers this herd of amazing animals and nearly wrecks on Garth Road. I don't know of another herd in Charlottesville. Next to see as we turn onto Woodlands Road is a clump of Dogwoods that never disappoints.

Spring Pink, what could be prettier

My husband was in a mad rush to get to the landfill and back home so I was a little perturbed. I didn't spring it on him that we would be taking a Saturday drive until we were halfway to the landfill. We had over 500 lbs of carpet, concrete, and sheetrock scraps to drop off. It managed to be an enjoyable trip and it makes me want to get back out and see what's in bloom around Charlottesville before the show is over.

~Rebecca 

The American Chestnut Tree

My neighbors Chinese Chestnut Tree.

Catching the entire Eastern Seaboard by surprise, at the beginning of the 20th Century there was a horrible near extermination of the majestic and environmentally beneficial American Chestnut Tree (Castanea dentata).  Revered as the East Coast California Redwood this tree took up nearly 25% of the Eastern hardwood forest.

Very few of us are left to recall such a horribly sad period in history when a parasite was imported attached to Asian introduced Chestnut trees and subsequently killed nearly every American Chestnut tree it came in contact with.  The fungus was spread by forest insects and animals and was carried by the wind.  It was impossible to stop its rapid path of destruction - no cutting, pruning, or propagation revived this magnificent tree.  It has taken nearly a century to successfully figure out this maddening puzzle. 

Multi-branched Chinese Chestnut Tree.

I'm reading a fascinating book that I checked out from our local library written by the TACF, Mighty Giants, The American Chestnut Anthology.  I recall my mother explaining to me some time ago that our two Chestnut trees at our family home were Chinese because all the American species had been decimated by a horrible blight.  Deep inside I wished and hoped that somehow they were really the rare elusive American Chestnut.  I'm no expert but due to the shape, size and form and nut size, sadly they are not (they are probably (Castanea mollissima).  The American Chestnut was a grand forest tree - a mighty giant.  My Chestnut trees were big but they were multi-branched and planted by my Grandparents after the blight (in their lifetime I'm sure they ate many American Chestnuts and so missed the nuts).  Squirrels were always tucking a few Chinese Chestnut seeds into my pots outside.  It was common for me to have to pluck out Chestnut sprouts - complete with a nut at the end - each Spring. 

Dried leaves & hull of Chinese Chestnut Tree.

American Chestnuts were a favorite food item for people and forest animals, noted to be sweeter than Japanese or Chinese varieties.  There were two diseases that killed stands of American Chestnut trees. Ink Disease killed stands located in warmer climates along the East Coast first and much later blight killed most of the rest that were still alive in the cooler mountainous areas... to a tune of 4 billion trees or 25% of the Eastern Hardwood Forest - DEAD.  One interesting note and a blessing is that blight only attacks growth above the root so there are living American Chestnut trees still to be found and the root stock can be used for recovery.  Some American Chestnut trees sprout and die and sprout and die... which builds in susceptibility to the virus. 

There are ongoing efforts to revive the mighty American Chestnut Tree.  It sounds like such a worthy project and its amazing how for a long time just a few people tried to make this dream a reality until TACF was created in the early 80's.  There is an experimental station run by TACF in Southwest Virginia and in Tennessee at Dollywood there is a large forest stand thanks to Dolly and her Uncle that started it.  Due to the love of this beautiful tree, political figures have been involved, Jimmy Carter and Robert Vessey, and many scientists.  The largest American Chestnut tree is out West in Washington State at 88' tall.

Infamous prickly seed hull - gotta wear gloves and shoes!

The Chestnut tree (of any variety) is not that common and you have to search it out to discover it.  There is only one on my street and it's growing in my neighbors front yard - something I swore I would never do because of the prickly hulls that litter the ground in the Fall but I sure would love a few in the backyard - Chestnuts roasting in the open fire... and as a food for wildlife.  Believe me when I say, you will go out and collect Chestnuts in your flip flops once but not twice!  

I used to grow produce and sell it at farmers markets and my first sale was a basket of our Chinese Chestnuts!  They were plentiful on our 50 year old Chinese Chestnut trees but they were not what my Grandparents enjoyed in their youth.

-Rebecca

Another Chestnut tree species is on the brink in Europe.
Read more about the American Chestnut Tree.
Have an American Chestnut Tree planted in name of a friend for a $10. donation.

Seeing Yellow

This small cup Daffodil opened first on Forsythia Hill.

It's a blaze of yellow on Forsythia Hill this time of year.  The yellow Crocus arrived first then secondly my Grandmother's lovely antique large cup Daffodil.  Now the absolutely shocking yellow Forsythia is in clear view out every window in my house!  Hence the name, Forsythia Hill.  I just transplanted stray 10 Forsythia shrubs yesterday and today I spotted another possible transplant location!  We have those hideous electrical boxes on entry up our driveway.  I've never quite decided how to mask them.  I have some stray Althea shrubs that need a new home.  I think a few of them along with some Forsythia might make a good screen.  I was told by the electrical man that as long as I planted to the side and front I would not interfere with the box.

Forsythia was named after William Forsyth, who started the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.  A member of the olive family, it was discovered growing in China in 1842 by Scottish Botanist, Robert Fortune when he was sent there to bring back plants by the Society.  Another species of Forsythia had already been growing in Europe since 1833 but was labeled as a Lilac.

The way you prune Forsythia - YOU DON'T

Often mentioned as a hiding spot for the dancing Fairy or even a sly Fox (in my yard) the Forsythia hedge grows with abandon having few limits.  The tiny Forsythia fruit from the Weeping Forsythia suspensa was recorded as being used in China beginning in 100 A.D. as a medicinal along with Lonicera to cure heat related diseases and remove toxins (fever, goiter, sores, abscesses, swollen lymph glands, flus, etc). 

Personally, Forsythia reminds me of the past and I always envision it as situated, overgrown, beside an old farm house in a field.  On Forsythia Hill it welcomes in Spring and cheers me to view it out every window.  I've not yet discovered a Fairy but as a young girl, I looked and looked for them under the old Forsythia shrub. 

The main Spring activity around our back Forsythia hedge is the Mockingbird territory wars. Often three or more Mockingbirds zooming around and around in and out and over the Forsythia hedge - battling for the supreme nesting spot.  I'm not sure if the same bird wins each year but it appears the returning bird puts up a most ferocious fight.  One evening I was walking my dog through the yard when a beautiful Red Fox popped out from under the Forsythia shrub.  It was an incredible sight but I felt as if he was sniffing around for my Hen House!  A two door night lockup system will hopefully keep them safe.

A pruned yellow neon highlighter line of Forsythia in a field - UCK

Forsythia certainly provides cover for wildlife and nesting for the birds.  It's a valuable shrub with a long history.  Can there be too much Forsythia planted?  Well yes, it can look horrible when attempts are made to control it by pruning.  I shudder when I see lollipop Forsythia or even worse is the manicured short clipped boxed version.  If you grow Forsythia, plant it in a spot when it can naturally roam and spread without much attention.  Up against the house is asking for trouble, or next to almost anything is a bad idea and planting just one bush usually looks kinda weird (a neon glob of yellow).  An expansive hedge is best and it will form this all on its own given time.  Annually, I dig up the roaming sprouts each year and cut back a few of the really tall spikes but not much else is required.  Once you have Forsythia, you will always have it!

-Rebecca

Save the UVA Rotunda Magnolias

It is estimated that for 100 years eight Southern Magnolia have flanked the 1826 UVA Rotunda that originally housed the campus library.  Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda is the pride of the University and has been undergoing renovation for years and will continue to be hammered upon for years to come.  Part of Jefferson's original Academical Village included lovely garden spaces.  The Magnolias were planted well after Jefferson's death (he would be nearly 270 years old if still alive today) and were not part of his original plan (he designed the hard scape and intended the Pavilion residents to design and maintain their own landscapes).  Aside from that, the local trend when it comes to Jefferson tends to be a complete restoration of his vision and that includes his plantings.  Given that Thomas Jefferson was a man of reason, constant invention, and change, I do not believe that he would expect the garden plantings to not be altered over a 200 year period!

The Board of Visitors has decided that the Magnolias must go because scaffolding must be erected (here we go again) to replace the roof.  Work on the Rotunda seems to be a constant theme, the interior was restored in 1976 and the columns have been falling apart for years and have finally been covered with boots to protect what remains. 

Students have created an online petition to save the trees.  I was absolutely thrilled to see that students are interested in campaigning to save trees!  I felt helpless when I read the news of the trees, as if campus can do whatever they want and is above any citizen outcry.  A student revolt is a totally different beast and should not be taken lightly.  Unlike the Obama appointed Super Committee failed attempt at compromise, I hope the Board of Visitors will listen to the students and alter their original plan so no one will chain themselves to a grand Magnolia (boy have I been tempted in the past to do just that).

Seems a little shaping up is in order

I visited the Rotunda two days ago to see for myself the positioning and size of the trees.  The Board of Visitors was quoted as saying the trees had to go because of scaffolding, which is ridiculous.  If the roofers can't erect scaffolding without harming the trees they need to go back to scaffolding 101 school.  Another often used excuse when cutting down older trees is that they have reached the end of their expected life.  Bah humbug.  There is something to be said for light cast inside the Rotunda.  Also mentioned is that the trees are massive and they might damage the Rotunda in a storm.  Anything is possible but historically it appears that the only damage incurred during a storm was to two of the eight Magnolia, not to the Rotunda (the most pressing damage it seems to me for the Rotunda is pollution from cars and coal).  The Magnolias are not even as tall as the Rotunda dome and are in desperate need of pruning.  I was a bit taken aback at the lack of pruning,, especially on the sides.  Given the structure is so large, the Magnolia actually flank the Rotunda quite nicely.  There is one particular Magnolia that is a lovely specimen and there is no reason to remove it.  It easily can be pruned to not overhang a walkway and is not directly beside the Rotunda.

 

Ground level with the magnificent Magnolia

Living among the trees for 20 years in my family home, I shudder at the thought of any tree being cut down.  One of my grandmothers favorite trees was her beloved Southern Magnolia and also on the "park like" property is an assortment of 75 year old trees; Maples, Chestnuts, Apples, Catalpa, Walnut, and Holly.  When we first moved into our family home there were two HUGE yews that I absolutely loved but they were literally growing into the house.  They were planted 2' from the house and were twice as tall as the house! After 10 years, I finally got the courage to cut down the trees when my mother told me that my Grandmother had said, those trees were planted way to close to the house and that she always regretted that decision.  Last year my mother had a 150' leaning Blue Spruce cut down that was also planted way too close to the house.  Both decisions were horrifying to make but were the correct ones.  The house was being gobbled up by the trees so much that you could not see it and the roof was being horribly damaged.  On the flip side, I watched my idiot neighbors hire jack legs to cut down 20 hardwood trees that were NOT up against their house.  I cried watching the destruction and hearing the chain saws for months on end.  I begged them to not do this but they continued (having some drop on our fence).  Our home place has just been sold and I have no desire to go back and possibly see the destruction of the majestic trees on the property for reasons such as... oh I don't like leaves, or we need to let more sun in, or that tree is so messy, or that tree is OLD.

So grand it would bring TJ to tears

Online it has been suggested that the Magnolias be relocated to another site on campus. When I headed to campus the other day, I was ready to battle to save the Magnolias.   I still am but my view has changed.   If judicious pruning doesn't improve the situation and you must remove then instead relocate, keep one where it stands, and make commemorative bowls out of the two storm injured trees (apparently "the thing" to do with felled TJ trees).

The main point in all this is that people young and old care about the nature that abounds on campus and don't want to see it destroyed just because it is convenient to do so.

2013 UPDATE:  The Magnolia are still standing as a consequence of the protests by students!  2021 UPDATE: Magnolia's were axed.

-Rebecca

What's a Girl To Do

A few fun events in Charlottesville this weekend.

SATURDAY

10 AM - Noon:  "Tour de Coop, 2011".  The first annual bike ride tour of chicken coops in downtown Charlottesville sponsored by CLUCK and Community Bikes.  Suggested donation, $5.00, lunch is provided.  Check their website link at 9:30 am if raining, to see if event still being held.  I'm excited about this event because it looks like I'll be temporarily inheriting my neighbors chickens for a few years and I need all the know how I can get.

9 AM: For early risers and those that are bikeless, The Ivy Creek Foundation is offering a FREE Wildflower walk at the Ivy Creek Natural Area.

Oakleaf Hydrangea getting ready to bloom.

SUNDAY

2 PM:  The Ivy Creek Foundation is offering a FREE Native Tree identification walk at the Ivy Creek Natural Area.

Have fun outside this weekend as the rain is to eventually move out and sunny skies in!

-Rebecca