It’s been another busy week here in the garden and I am looking forward to the HH picking out a riding mower this weekend {I HOPE!} so the lawn can finally get mowed. The weeds in the backyard are growing like mad, but in the front yard it’s a totally different story.
The front, which has just a little more shade to it, is covered in tiny purple and white violets and they look wonderful. The daffodils are in full bloom as well as about a gazillion other things around here.
Ground Cover: Creeping Phlox {100% sure}
Does anyone know what this pink and lavender ground cover is called? I’m great a identifying vegetables… but flowers you don’t see in suburbia everyday, not so much. 😉
Tree: ??? Will update if/when we get fruit. Possibly a weeping crab apple tree.
Can anyone name this tree?
Hey, I know this one, lilac!! 😉 Once the flowers open up a little more I plan on making a batch of Susan’s Lilac Blossom Jelly.
Shrub: Double Bridal Wreath Spirea
We have a few of these shrubs with tiny white flowers along the front of the fence. Can you identify them?
Plant: Comfrey!
We have oodles of these, I think it’s echinacea {I’m hoping for purple plants!}
In the vegetable garden this week I installed a row of bean teepees {for green beans} and another row of shorter teepees for cucumber plants.
I think I might need another row of cucumber teepees if I plan on growing pickling cucumbers though. I haven’t made my mind up if I’m going to do it yet.
The sugar snap peas are up {along with scallions} and a few weeds I need to pull.
And the great hunt continues for Lucy.
She’s been catching critters left and right.
And check it out! We’ve got a yellow magnolia tree! How cool is that?
And Harriet our mystery fruit tree is in full bloom. {I think she might be an apple tree!}
And then there is this tree. Fruit, I’m assuming. Maybe pear?
You can tell that over the years, the tree has been pruned many times and the tree limbs are COVERED with what I think is crown gall. I’m not sure what to do about it. And when I say covered, I mean at least 50-75% of it’s major limbs have this disease. If the limbs are diseased, then isn’t it safe to assume the fruit will be diseased as well?
I don’t want rotten fruit. Or the disease to spread to other trees. Currently, only about 25% {if that} of the limbs have flowers on them. So I guess my question is, what would you do with this tree? Would you keep it? Get rid of it? The previous owners were avid gardeners, so if they couldn’t save the tree…. I’m pretty sure I can’t either.
And last but not least… Lucy’s babies. The ladies have feathered out nicely and are enjoying the coop life. Life is good!
Have a great Thursday everyone, I hope you enjoy the day.
~ Mavis
Diane says
The groundcover is creeping phlox. A great perennial as it is carefree and has a long bloom time for me, almost 2 months. Could the shrub with white flowers be mock orange? The flowers almost remind me of wild rose. Does it have thorns?
Mrs. C. says
Those were my thoughts, too.
As for the diseased tree, I think it has to go, and soak your pruning shears and saw blade in alcohol after you take it down (if you choose to do so). Do not compost the branches or throw it in the woods – all of the debris should be bagged and taken to the dump.
E in Upstate NY says
If you do try to save the tree by cutting off all the bad parts, CLEAN with Alcohol the cutting tools between EACH and EVERY cut. The disease spreads various ways, and one is through contact from your unclean cutting tools.
Allyson says
Yes, the ground cover is creeping phlox. It’s one of my favorites and is really easy to grow and propagate. Enjoy it!
Mandy says
I would think that tree does need to go. It doesn’t look too good. The chicks are so cute! Lucy is quite a hunter! Good dog! Your flowers are beautiful. My parents have a pink magnolia. I had no idea they could also be yellow. I grew up a block from the ocean, so ocean storms would blow through the magnolia tree. The mixture of salt water and magnolia blossoms is just heavenly. I sure miss it.
Carrie says
The pink and purple ground cover is Creeping Phlox. So lovely! My shady backyard is also full of violets in the spring. I agree with you on the Echinacea plants. I am starting to get buds on mine. I am in zone 7a
UpstateNYer says
I’ve seen that phlox in shades of dark purple, lavender and white. It looks so pretty!
Lissa says
the yellow magnolia is gorgeous! I’ve only seen them in pink. Here’s a weird question: do you work the garden on the weekends or just during the week? Happy to see Lucy and the much bigger chickens
Mavis Butterfield says
We are out there everyday. 🙂
Laura says
There’s a free app called iplant. You can take a picture of a plant or a flower and it identifies it. I just downloaded it and it seems to work well!
Carrie says
I’ve been using iNaturalist for a few weeks now. It has helped me with plants, frogs, insects and bird feathers. Love it and it’s free!
Diana Pieti says
Thinking what you think is cone flower might be comfrey…hairy plant, blooms…can be use as topical healing qualities……cut and come again…works great in your compost…research it
Emily E says
Yes, I think comfrey may be right. It is excellent for comfrey tea to fertilize your plants!!
Carol says
Comfrey or borage. Remember E. A. Poe’s The Raven? “Respite! Respite in nepenthe!” We used to say that in High school. Nepenthe is borage. Very medicinal and great compost.
The pink tree could be crab apple.
Dawn says
I believe the darker green one with the larger leaves, the one you have oodles of, is comfrey, looks similar to mine, of it gets purple hanging bell like flowers it is. Excellent for mulch when you have to trim it back.
Debbie - MountainMama says
You are so blessed to have all those flowering trees and shrubs! I moved into a house where the previous owners were avid gardeners as well but unfortunately they also made some gardening decisions that are torturing me….tansy in the perennial bed is one of the worst!
Caroline says
Debbie, I’m learning – so why is Tansy a bad idea? Is it like mint and spreads aggressively? Thanks!
Janet says
Tansy is poisonous to animals (livestock that I know of). If they eat it or eat too much they can die. The seeds will spread and it can be hard to get rid of.
Nancy D says
In SW Washington, tansy spread so aggressively, it covered nearly every empty field back in the 1960s-1980s. The county or state brought in a special moth (gypsy moth?) that had tansy as their primary diet. Many of my friends recall being paid a penny a plant to pull it up for summer money! The plants can be over 3′ tall and quite sturdy.
Breanne says
I think that the shrub with the small white flowers is bridal wreath spirea, and the tree is an ornamental crab apple or something similar.
Breanne says
I meant the tree with the pinkish flowers was a crabapple.
Danielle says
Regarding the mower, we had a riding mower on a smaller property and it was fine. Now, we have a Polaris vehicle with a tow behind mower attachment and that gets used all of the time for various projects around the property. The mowing is a minor part of how often the vehicle gets used, for us. Just FYI. 🙂
Maxine says
We had a small apple tree orchard and a few trees nearest the barn looked like the tree you think is diseased. Ours were covered like that from bat guano and/or swallow poo? I was just a kid but I think that’s right. Didn’t hurt the tree.
Em says
I’m following to see the comments. Thank you all!
Dawn says
The picture just under the creeping phlox is an apple tree of some kind. And the “Harriet” is as well. 🙂 I agree with you on the pear, though I could be wrong. We have apple and cherry trees, but no pears. What wonderful surprises you are finding this spring!
Christie says
The chicks are getting so big! They look quite happy in their home!
Carol says
I think the white flowering shrub could be a banksia rose. Agree that you more likely have comfrey than cone flower. When I kept chickens they loved to eat comfrey leaves.
Erin K says
We feed our chickens our comfrey leaves too. They love it and it’s full of nutrients. Our friends also make a healing salve with it.
Katie says
Get in touch with your local master gardeners. They will have some answers on that gall. In MN we are a part of our UMN Extension services. They will be a great resource as you navigate your new zone.
Diana says
1) Creeping Phlox
2) Probably a crabapple of some kind
3) LOVE lilacs
4) I agree with the person above who said bridal wreath spirea
5) Could the Echinacea be black eyed susans? Similar leaves…
6) I’m jealous over the yellow magnolia
7) Yes, I believe Harriette is an apple. 🙂
8) Looks like my pear trees when they bloomed.
9) I have a plum tree that has had gall. From what I read online, I just cutout the worst of it and have kept it. The fruit is not diseased, just the wood is. There really is no cure for gall, you either cut out the bad parts (either bag it up or burn it) and keep what’s left or remove the tree and start over.
BTW – GOOD GIRL, LUCY! Keep those varmints out of the yard…
Terri says
https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/crown-gall/
Keralee says
Creeping phlox. Harriet is an apple, gall will not affect fruits, not a big deal. Pear but it could be ornamental, bradford? White shrub is not bridal wreath spirea, it is likely banksia rose. You have siberian comfrey–has the pointier leaves and grows taller rather than wider, great for garden, health remedies, bees, etc.
Carol Hager says
Mavis , I am so envious of all your beautiful plants and flowers. I especially love violets and lilacs. I miss all of that beauty here in Arizona. Thanks for letting me be a farm girl through your eyes. It’s a good thing we don’t know where you live, I suspect more than a few of us would end up on your doorstep
Judy Johnson says
Another vote for comfrey. I grow it here in the desert for my chickens and calves. It is very high in protein, and although most people here will not eat it due to concerns about how it is processed in the liver, in some parts of Africa it is consumed by humans.
Stacie says
You have so many beautiful blooms!! I found this app called Plantsnap. You just take a picture of the mystery plant/weed and the app gives you suggestions on what it is. I’ve had pretty good luck so far identifying flowers and weeds around my house.
Jo says
Gall doesn’t affect the fruit and it doesn’t kill the tree. My fruit tree with it hasn’t spread it to the other one either. Just thoroughly clean anything you use to prune it. That tree is probably an apple and I bet it’s an old heirloom variety. Give it a full summer & fall before you consider cutting it down. It could be a really rare or unusual variety.
I second the recommendation for your local master gardener. Every state has a program and they will have at least one expert on fruit trees. I have a beautiful white pine with a gall the size of my head that doesn’t hurt it, the local MG convinced me to keep the tree and I am so glad I did. They are rare in the heat of my area.
You have a lovely yard.
Denise Soderlind says
I agree. It is probably a very special tree and the fruit is not effected.
Kimmy says
Creeping phlox sounds like a condition that requires penicillin, but it’s actually lovely.
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha! That’s what I was thinking too. 🙂
Donna says
Mavis,
I just found a site that has really helpful information about protecting yourself from ticks. If you want to check it out, here is a link:
http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/insect_shield_your_own_clothes
Linda says
In the south we call creeping phlox ” Thrift”.
I love it. My grandmother grew it in all colors along her walk way. The white tiny flower is bridal veil spirea. Lady Banksia rose is pale yellow.
Denise says
Comfrey for sure! It has many uses including healing wounds and broken bones. Hope you won’t need to use it for that! I can’t believe how big the chickies are! Beautiful finds in your new yard.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
I’d contact your local extension office about the pear tree. Ours here in Upstate NY will even do sample tests. That’s the best and most underused resource.
Valerie Hansen says
The tree with the pink flowers is a dogwood I believe
Sue R. says
If you do have comfrey–look up all the benefits of using its nutrient in your garden soil/compost/etc. Very beneficial.
Anna says
The tree with white and pink blossoms looks like a Sugar Tyme crabapple -pink buds turn in to white flowers. I’ve been on the hunt for the right ornamental crabapple for my own yard so that’s my best guess!
Robyn says
If you do have comfrey plants don’t dig them up as the root system spreads and is very difficult to eradicate. Keep them contained in one area. They are really beneficial as a plant tea and leaves in the compost. Also wonderful medicinal qualities for us humans .
Nancy D says
In general, I believe pear trees can be identified by a more narrow upright tree shape than an apple tree that is more wide. Once you see it, you can go for a drive and identify it from a distance on the unpruned trees. The new wood shoots have more of a yellowish color than apple’s grayish wood and also a more thicker and pliable feeling to the newer growth over apple.
Dora says
You have mentioned previously how cordial the previous homeowners are. If you are able to contact them, they might be able to identify some of your plants/trees/etc. Depending on how long they were in residence they might have even planted quite a few themselves. At some point, someone cared deeply for this property and the previous owners probably would be pleased to know that the land is still being kept up and improved.
Linda says
Your local extension service should be able to help you with identification of plants, diseases and critters! Probably online
Lace Faerie says
If you have a pear tree in blossom, you should be able to identify by the unpleasant scent, said to smell like dog poo or rotting fish.
Colette says
I have been trying to identify that same white flowered shrub in my yard! I don’t think banksia rose or bridal spirea are correct.. the flowers are pretty small. if I can figure it out I will let you know…