The Bark Tree

Feed me Seymour!

Brandon brought me this groovy flower!
If my research is correct, it's a Banksia burdettii, which is native to Western Australia.

Chickens for a day

Brandon watched one night last week as a woman dumped three live chickens into the park across the street. We speculated that they were easter chicks that had lost their cuteness upon reaching the awkward teenage phase.

Some neighbors of ours had a similar experience with chickens in our park several years ago and other friends found a bunny in Prospect Park.

Brandon brought them to over our yard and the next day called Animal Care & Control of New York City, who picked them up and took them to a place called Farm Sanctuary. Hopefully, they'll have a nice life now.

Bug jack

Insect lover, Brandon wanted me to tell you about this wonderful bug boot jack he found at a local furniture store. For our wedding, we both got new Lucchese boots so it will come in handy!

Outside New York closed

Outside New York, the Williamsburg nursery I mentioned last summer, sadly appears to have closed.
That was quick. I'm sorry to see them go.

What's happening

Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) has one tiny bloom which was difficult to photograph since it nods.

Comfrey (Symphytum sp.) blooming looks pretty next to my spirea 'Magic Carpet'.

In the shade, this variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum')
is sprouting and white Bleeding Heart (Dicentra alba) is blooming.

Doing lots of staring at the ground lately trying to distinguish self-sowing annuals from weed seedlings. Dark leaved Amaranth (Amaranthus hypocondriacus) drops millions of seeds which will have to be thinned to just a few plants. I love Larkspur (Consolida regalis) below, but editing will also be necessary.

Boo hoo! My holly croaked!

Greendome garden

Another lovely community garden in our neighborhood which we visited on Earth Day. This beautifully designed garden is stuffed with interesting plants and worth visiting each season since it is always changing.