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Habitat for Wildlife Interesting Tidbits

Hummingbirds In My Window

I don’t use sugar water feeders for hummingbirds, for many reasons.  Main reasons being I don’t want to have to worry about cleaning and refilling, and I don’t think it’s great nutrition –  my sugar addiction is terrible and no need to spread the scourge.   Instead, I’m a habitat and food gardener.  I always make a point of putting plants for hummers in the window over my desk so I can see birds working the flowers throughout the day.  The plants don’t draw crowds fighting over the feeders, but it’s more interesting to me to see the individuals examining the blooms before settling in to eat.  Hummers also eat little insects that are drawn to the nectar rich flowers.  Here is a video (click link) from my window – apologies for the screen.

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These are a few tropical plants that hummingbirds enjoy:

Tropical bleeding heart clerodendron
Buddha’s Belly

If you want to make your yard more attractive to birds and bees and butterflies, send me a message or call 901-828-3685.

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    Categories
    Interesting Tidbits Terrarium Care

    So Where Should I Put This Terrarium?

    The bright filtered light in the Crosstown Concourse is perfect for this terrarium of moss and selaginella. It is more than a year old, and requires trimming every 4-6 months.

    Living as I do surrounded by potted plants and terrariums, I sometimes feel like St. Exupery’s Little Prince on his home planet, carefully attending to the Rose’s needs for sun, water, and protection from the evening chill, and enjoying her companionship in return. Plants are sentient creatures, and once you become attuned to their modes of communication it gets easier to care for them, and the pleasure they bring to you magnifies.

     

     

    You can put them away from a window so long as you have a broad spectrum light. Plants need light to make food, remember?

     

    Terry babies of moss need bright light, these are in an east window. You can’t just put these little guys in a bookcase

    Give me a call to discuss your ideas on size and location for a terrarium in your home or office.  Whether you want something small right off my shelf today, or you want to plan and build something unique for your space, we can find a new little world of your own to cherish for many years.

    Nancy

    901-828-3685

     

     

     

    Categories
    Interesting Tidbits Memphis Gardens Uncategorized

    Scenery Changes With the Seasons


    This helianthus augustifolia is a shrubby weedy thing all year, but I know when everything else is waning, I’ll walk out one dreary morning and find a fountain of golden cheer.  The bees and butterflies cover it up, then when the seeds come the small birds feast!

    October in Memphis is bittersweet, the annuals are over, the light is less intense and days are shorter, but the cool days are a welcome relief.  Time to pull out all the old raggedy zinnias and plant pansies, dianthus, wallflowers if you see them, chard, etc., and install some perennials before the ground gets too cold,

    It is important to plan your gardens with an eye toward succession blooming so you can always have bright spots even in dreary winter days,

    And speaking of planning, now is a good time to contact me to order a custom designed terrarium to brighten your home or office this winter.  Layaway for holiday gifts available.  My terries are one of a kind, not mass produced, can be tailored to suit any space and tastes, and will live for years with minimal care.  Call me at 901-828-3685 or send me a message

    Categories
    Interesting Tidbits

    Terries at Music+Arts Studios Are So Happy, They Are Raising Their Rooftops!

    I went to see the space before Ward selected his terries - he had a perfect eastern exposure, slightly filtered light
    I went to see the space before Ward selected his terries – he had a perfect eastern exposure, slightly filtered light

    You may remember from a post a few months ago that my friend, Ward Archer, installed some terries in his fabulous recording studio, Music + Arts, over in Cooper-Young.  The below photo of the 16 inch bowl on the left shows how it looked when I dropped it off in May:

     

    Piles, rabbits foot fern, heart fern, especia, and more compete for space in this 9 month old gem.  It has been trimmed back once, about a month before this photo
    Pilea,, rabbits foot fern, heart fern, especia, and more compete for space in this 9 month old gem. It has been trimmed back once, about a month before this photo

     

    When I returned to check on the little guys in late July, I saw that they were really grooving on all the great music being recorded by people from all over the world at the studio.  Ward tells me everyone enjoys watching the microcosms grow and change.  Take a look at the new growth:

     

     

    This Chocolate Soldier Especia tripled in size and is started on a period of blooming bright orange flowers that will soon cover the whole plant
    This Chocolate Soldier Especia tripled in size and is started on a period of blooming bright orange flowers that will soon cover the whole plant

     

     

     

    The purple pilea had grown and spread throughout the whole bowl, so I had to do a major trimming.  Ward was a little reluctant to lose any of the riot of growth, but understands the importance of maintaining balance in this closed environment
    The purple pilea and roving especia had grown and spread throughout the whole bowl, so I had to do a major trimming. Ward was a little reluctant to lose any of the riot of growth, but understands the importance of maintaining balance in this closed environment

     

    This little tableaux in an 8 inch brandy snifter features bonsai rubber trees that needed only a slight trim to bring everything back in order.  This terry is 14 months old
    This little tableaux in an 8 inch brandy snifter features bonsai rubber trees that needed only a slight trim to bring everything back in order. This terry is 14 months old.

    Give me a call at 901-828-3685 if you are interested in adding a Green Mansion to your life or to learn more about these fascinating creations.  Or send a message below.

    I’m happy to help you select the right rainforest for your location and taste.  Custom designs are a particular favorite, and I always have a variety of sizes and environments on hand to choose from.  I’m having build your own workshops Sept 24-25, 2016, if you want to get your hands on experience in creating a world under glass.  Space is limited so sign up today!  Go to the Events page for more information.

    Peace and Love – Nancy

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