Diario de joffenbacher

The Forsythia across the alley bloomed 3-26. Spiderwort bloomed in pot 5-4. In the front gardens, first coneflower bloomed 5-4. This seemed quite early in comparison with past years. First Sage bloomed 5-6. Noticed some of the late planted Gaillardi from last summer returned. This was a first. The first bumblebee in garden 5-27. Again, earlier than past years. First honeybee 5-31. Borage planted last year reseeded and bloomed 6-7 in south, front garden and just outside the garden in dirt that had collected inadvertently up against the stone border. By the last week in June, the bees were attacking every one of the plants and not just the Milkweed and Joe Pye as in the past year. This included Speedwell, Penstemon, Agastache, Hyssop. The Catmint lasted a long time and was especially popular, early in the season. Noticed a Monarch laying eggs on Milkweed 7-16. Added Great Blue Lobelia in a large planter. Successful blooming added a late summer pollinator attraction, especially for Bumblebees. Cardinal Flower added did not do so well in pot. Gayfeather in pot added and was successful in attracting bees but blooms were somewhat short lived. Added Trollis, Brunnera, Snake Root, Bishop’s Cap, Liguria, Coral Bells in back, more shady areas. Although neighbors talked of seeing Hummingbirds all summer, I did not see one until 8-30 feeding in front porch garden… it was gray with blue and purple. Posted photos included most of the garden visitors. However, was unable to photograph some because a device for taking snap shots was not handy at the time of the visit or the mobility of the subject of the photo created problems.

Given the variability of a plants’ blooming season, there is a need to insure the availability of pollinator friendly plants up until cold weather. I am typically on the hunt for Gaillardia over the Labor Day weeken in pursuit of this goal. Can usually find some space in one of the gardens. If not, in a pot-but then transplant it into the garden before it gets too cold. The previous year, Agastache and Hyssop bloomed late into the season, as did the Sunflowers, Butterfly Bush, and Autumn Joy Seedum. So, there was plenty of choice for most of my visitors. This year, I had not planted Sun Flowers.
By late September, I started to see a decline in the number of Bumblebees. Honey Bees-about the same in number. Noticed a smaller Bumblebee working on the Heuchera planted in the north washstand on back patio. 10-6, noted a Bumblebee drying itself off in the sun. I had seen instances of late season Bumblebees sleeping on a flower, sometimes overnight, and researched ways to care for them in such instances. I was still playing morning softball and did not get outside to survey the gardens as frequently, and a need to care for a Bumblebee stuck in the cold never came up that season. 10-18 was the first day not seeing a pollinator in months. 10-25 and 10-28 saw a Honey Bee on the Gaillardia and was glad to have made my Labor Day search. 10-28 last Bumble sighting on Hyssop.
By November, Magnolia leaves started to yellow and fall in small numbers. A Honey Bee on the Stone Crop Seedum 11-10. My last sighting of the season, and always a little sad to say goodbye. Still, the Impatients and Begonias in rock planters out back under the Magnolia were still in bloom, being protected by the privacy fence. However, the first snow, three days later ended their time. I picked up leaves, cleaned gutters and gardens and cut back some dead plants throughout the rest of the month.
By December, most of the work had been completed. Added composted Magnolia booms from the Spring in all gardens, then put away tools and cleaned up the garage cabinets. By 12-11, late falling leaves from the neighbor’s tree across the alley had been picked up. Some short periods of warm weather. My neighbor pointed out buds on the Magnolia tree. However, it was time to play the bowl pool and start my winter cleaning and repair projects.
All in all, a good season for the pollinators, though saw fewer butterflies, both in type and number.