With one storm after another bringing rain, wind, hail and high water to the Center, the garden team has had plenty of what we call “two-raincoat days.” It’s all OK, though, and the daffodils don’t mind—they have already opened up this past week. For many other developments, we just have to wait a bit.
The Daphne buds are also set and once we get a few dry days and sunshine you’ll enjoy their wonderful fragrance; find them across from the Garden School along the path from the Events Office.
We have bats! They have chosen not to take up residence in the custom bat house, but a group of five or so are roosting on site. They are in a state of torpor at this time of year, and will spend most of their time dozing until the days lengthen. We think they are Little Brown Bats and welcome residents here, keeping bugs in check.
The time to prune the roses is coming, we’re waiting for a dry spell to cut them back as we do each winter. The payoff in spring blooms will be worth the shock of seeing the plants reduced to a few bare stems for a month or two.
Our Redtail hawks have returned, keep an ear open for their distinctive shrieks. They’re quite at home here and you may see them perched on a low branch, scanning for voles and other small prey.
This wet weather creates good conditions for the wonderful variety of lichens and mosses that flourish around the grounds, on trees and walls and other surfaces.
You can also spot fungi in full display: boletes, collybia, coral, and amantias are just some of the varieties that sprout up here at this time of year.
