a trip to the melbourne native plant nursery

Stopped in at the native plant nursery on henry rd in west melbourne while running errands out that way. I bought some replacement purple cone flowers, a blue flag iris (which won't bloom until next year probably, but at least the grounds are good and wet for it to get established) and two small plants that like boggy conditions (the name escapes me now, but I'll include it when I remember). The nursery people are very nice. I wanted a passionflower vine but he didn't have any that were "ready". I'll check on my next trip out in a week or two. Butterflies have been enjoying the dog fennel. I pulled ragweed out of the front when I realized that Chili and Tanner were developing itchiness...a sure sign that the ragweed is back. Hopefully I got it all.

Bluebirds are back!

The bluebirds were back scouting the nesting box today. The winged sumac is beginning to produce flowers. The Tall Elephantfoot is in flower as are a few Patridge Pea with many more seedlings visible. First signs of fruit on the rear wild grapevine. I replanted the drowned butterfly garden today with four of the salvaged plants and hope for better results. Yesterday I discovered some sunflower-looking flowers over behind the overgrown veggie garden as I was cleaning up around there. Found a very ripe bell pepper which was bright red. Woodpeckers are making good use of the garden shoe that I tacked to a pine snag and filled with birdseed. Two can be seen taking turns grabbing seed and flying back to their home a couple of lots over.