Wildlife Management folks and some Master Gardeners call the Red Buckeye a "trash tree." I beg to differ. These lovely small trees can be canopied up or pruned as a shrub, and they attract Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. My bank is filled with them and they are harbingers of Spring.
They are only now unfurling their leaves and the flower buds will follow. Within a week or so I'll observe a show like above. Today my gardening/birding/day trip pal Carroll and I are heading to a great nursery about an hour away in search of spring happiness. Have a lovely SPRING DAY, everyone and Ya'll come back now, ya hear?
8 comments:
I beg to differ too, Debi! These are gorgeous trees, real bee magnets as well as calling the hummers, and to my mind that makes them ideal. Why would wildlife management people not like them? Are they a weedy species in Alabama?
Mine is still very small--I got it as a seedling from a friend--but growing well, and I hope to have flowers in a couple more years. The horse chestnut I gave my hubby 9 years ago is only about 3 years older than the red buckeye, and it flowered last year.
Not spring here--galeforce winds and snowflurries. Ugh. I might just go back to bed until spring....;-)
If they think that's a trash tree, what do they call a Boxelder? At least the Buckeye has flowers that support wildlife.
Hi Debi,
Glad I foud your blog. I love the name, it's so cool. :)
The trees are gorgeous, I've never seen them before so I learnt something today.
Have a lovely Easter,
Sharon
I agree with you Deb. This buckeye is well worth the space it takes. Anything a hummer oks is ok with me.
I can't wait to see whant you bring home from the nursery. No one is carrying anything here yet. It is a month or so too early.
Wow, what a beautiful tree and such gorgeous blooms. In my books, anything that also attracts hummers is a zing boom plus to the garden. Wish they could grow up here but I'll enjoy your photos!
Happy Easter
Superb photos as always Debi. By the way, you've been tagged with the Six Word Memior Meme: http://www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com/2008/03/my-life-in-six-words.html
Hi Debi, lovely photos of a pretty wildflower. My first recollection of this wildflower was when Bob and Marilyn's house was being built- we stopped by to see the site. It was early in the spring (like now) and yep, there it was growing in their backyard by the river bank.
One man's flower is another man's weed. For instance, the lovely Evening Primrose is also known as Hogweed. Oh well, a rose by any other name would still be as sweet. I believe that educating folks on the rich history and medicinal uses- even current pharmaceutical medicinal uses- is a great way to help with conversation.
Thanks for posting these!
...and then there are those wonderful seed pods you know I love....
xo
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