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The parasol mushroom looks a bit like a button mushroom when it first pops out from the ground in late summer or early fall, but the cap quickly spreads out to resemble the vintage shade umbrella known as a parasol, and these mushrooms are popping up all over our yard right now! You can listen to this post about the parasol mushroom or keep on reading. Either way, you can download a set of … [Read more...]
It Mimics A Hawk And Serves As A Mascot – The Beautiful Blue Jay
The sound of the blue jay calling takes me back to my grandmother’s backyard. I can remember hearing them cry out a warning as we would run through her grass paths and hide behind the massive live oaks. These beautiful birds are relatively easy to spot and serve as sever sports team mascots! The blue jay has a range of calls, including one that mimics the call of the red-shouldered hawk! This … [Read more...]
The Iris – A Symbol of Royalty and Subject of Ancient Art
The iris was one of my mom’s favorite flowers and to this day, I can’t see one of these blooms without thinking of her. These showy purple, blue, yellow, orange, or white flowers have served as the symbol of the French monarchy and are named after the Greek goddess who rode the rainbows. The bloom of the iris is typically composed of three upward petals and three downward sepals that look like … [Read more...]
The Hyacinth – Feast Your Noses on a Mediterranean Native This Spring
The hyacinth tends to be the lesser known beauty of the typical spring blooms, but if you have ever smelled one . . . ahh, the scent of pure loveliness. It’s enough to make you want to dig them all up and replant them right by your door so you can enjoy them every time you head out for a walk on a nice spring day! Now, I must clarify - I am talking about the flowering hyacinth, not the miniature … [Read more...]
The Iconic Daffodil – A Dazzling Sign That Spring Is Replacing Winter
Nothing says, “Hello, it’s spring!” like the daffodil! The sunny blooms seem to smile up at you from the ground left barren from the cold winter. These spring flowers typically grow in bunches, like little pockets of sunshine in your garden. The trumpet-shaped bloom of daffodils can be yellow, white, or orange. Each bloom has a central corona that protects the reproductive structures of the … [Read more...]
The Charming Crocus – Find it in Siberia and Your Backyard
When we lived in Virginia, the sight of crocus blooms popping up in our yard meant that spring was close at hand. I think that is the reason why the crocus remains one of my favorite spring bulbs! But did you know that there are over 80 different varieties of crocus? The crocus is part of the iris family and is thought to have originated in Europe, Asia, and Africa. These flowers can live from … [Read more...]