Not the rap artist, the state!  About a month ago, Jessica and I went with her family to Sarasota, Florida for a week long vacation.  While staying in Florida, we visited the beach (of course) and some interesting sites!  On Thursday of that week we traveled about 60 miles to Fort Myers to visit my Grandma on my mother’s side.  My grandma is a permanent resident there.  She took us on a swamp walk, to the Edison Ford Estate and to a few local gardens with some neat tropical and sub-tropical plants! Read More

Ruby-throated Baby Hummingbirds

With summer here, there are plenty of things to post about!  I picked three main topics for this month that I found interesting.  A hummingbird nest discovered on a recent trip to a plant nursery, hydrangea species, their colors and characteristics, and the plant of the month for July, Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’.

I don’t know the statistics, but I do know that not many people have the privilege of seeing a hummingbird nest up close!  At least, I have never seen one until this June, even when I grew up in the outdoors!  On a recent trip to Mountain Springs Nursery in Rheinholds, PA, it was brought to my attention that there was a hummingbird nest located in one of the Southern Magnolia trees in the pot-in-pot nursery location! Read More