I was fascinated by an unusual tree at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.
Its name is Chinese Parasol Tree, Firmiana simplex.
It had several features that were of interest.
One was its green bark which had an unusual texture.
Also, its leaves were huge and complex.
It had a nice shape overall that made it attractive from a distance.
This may be a tree for all seasons.
Flower
What is it about water movement that mesmerizes?
I could have sat by the crown fountain all afternoon
listening to the sounds and watching the glistening spray.
As a science teacher, I referred to water as the miracle substance
because of its properties as a solvent and its three phases at natural temperatures.
There is more to water than physics can explain.
It’s movements and reflections are more art than science.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has a water show going on
even when the flowers are taking a break.
The many fountains, pools and canals deserve their own attention.
The afternoon sun gave the splashes plenty of sparkle.
FLOW
We visited Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, North Carolina today.
I was especially interested in a new artist installation that I had not seen.
‘The Magnificent Seven’ is by Patrick Dougherty.
This Stick Work piece was big enough for folks to walk through and play in.
I think it is a lovely addition to the garden.
(More to come water features, planters, a magical tree and anoles)
I went on another adventure today,
deep in the mountains, across several creeks, through three locked gates.
My uncle Jim lead us to this hidden gem of a hide-away.
I have dreamed of such a place,
by a stream
with a fire pit
and a porch.
An outhouse was never part of my dream, but this one is dreamy.
It even has art inside.
I do believe there was magic here. ( I mean in the area, not in the outhouse)
The person who built this and I should be friends.
We have dreams in common.
We may know some of the same fairies.
Flow
Zeta threw down a lot of limbs last week.
It is always interesting to look at what has taken up residence on the dead wood of a tree.
These life forms get heavy with rain, then the wind stresses the limb to the point that gravity wins.
Here is a limb full of life.
It is covered with fungi and lichen.
The fungi here is called a jelly.
The lichens are grouped by their form.
They can be crustose, foliose of fruticose depending on whether they appear crusty, leafy of fruity.
If you would like to learn more, use the link below.
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/gallery/index.shtml
Flow
All you need is a fire,
a full moon
and some fairies.
When is a banana tree like a palm tree?
After hurricane winds.
Zeta was amazing yesterday. I will not share all the mess that must be cleaned up.
Instead, I will share how nature survives by design.
Banana trees have huge leaves and no trunks.
They are held up by water pressure in the non-woody stems.
During storms the big leaves tatter along the veins to let the wind pass through.
Zeta tattered the banana leaves until they look more like palm fronds.
Sometimes to survive the big hits you have make some concessions.
Better tattered and standing than lying on the ground.
I need to remember this lesson from my Mother Nature.
Flow
Our strolling down the sidewalks of Bramwell was detoured by a marvelous garden.
There was a row of dahlias shamelessly showing off right there next to the sidewalk.
You couldn’t expect me to waltz right by without stopping to meet them.
Thomas Edison was closest to the gate. I barged in like a blogger gone mad.
There were some show-stoppers that I needed to know the names of for future purchases.
Harold Brown, the pianist and gardener, informed me that these beauties came from Old House Gardens in Ann Harbor, Michigan.
When flowers are involved, the Flower gets a bit brazen.
FLOW
It is time to harvest your basil.
I have an easy way to dry it after I bake something.
As my oven is baking, I go cut some basil.
I wash it, pat it dry, remove stems and put the leaves in pans on parchment paper.
AFTER the oven is off, I put the pans of basil in it to dry.
I leave them until the oven cools. (sometimes longer)
I place the labeled herb bottle on the stove top to remind me the basil is in there.
The leaves should get brittle and crumbly.
I pulverize these with mortar and pestle.
Pour them back onto parchment to funnel into the labeled bottle.
If I had to set up my dryer, this would never get done. I do some every time I bake in the fall.
Charlotte, the rabbit gets the stems and veggie scraps.
Win:Win:Win
FLOW in Fall
floweralley 