Why The Name – Blackberry Lily?

Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica)

Thanks to inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s gardening mentor, Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon, seeds of this plant were sown at Monticello in 1807. Now, one of many favorites in my yard. In 2005 this plant was moved to the genus Iris and given its new scientific name thanks to molecular DNA sequence evidence.

Here, the seed pods of Blackberry Lily. Surely you can see why it has that name.

Something that my Granddaughter learned early on as she helped me plant the seeds — they aren’t edible.

Blackberry Lily is native to Eastern Asia and is not considered to be an invasive species. Otherwise I wouldn’t consider growing it in my yard.

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Copperhead

Out on a walk this morning, I came upon a Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), appearing to be frozen on the path in front of me.

It stayed there for 5 or 10 minutes just watching me, being perfectly still. Made me think of some creatures that freeze and seem to be saying through mental telepathy, “You can’t see me!”. After doing some research, I think that is exactly what was happening.

Several sites made reference to Copperheads, when encountered, becoming perfectly still rather than slithering away, simply because they can rely so dependably on their great camouflage.

Interesting to learn more about these intriguing creatures.

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Blue-winged Wasp

A Blue-winged Wasp (Scolia dubia) enjoying Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) in one of my gardens.

This is a wonderful wasp to have in the yard. The female tunnels into the soil to find Japanese Beetle grubs (Popillia japonica). It will lay its eggs on those grubs, and as the eggs turn into larvae, growing and maturing, they will eat the grubs.

What a wonderful help with pest control.

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Aromatic Aster Time

I was thinking that it was about bloom time for the Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) and sure enough this afternoon I came upon a few flowers. Just the beginning.

It’s an herbaceous perennial, native to parts of the eastern and central United States, grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It’s the host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). Many pollinators seek out the nectar, bees, butterflies and skippers.

Actually the flowers don’t have a scent but rubbing the leaves will give the aroma of balsam.

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Wild Ageratum

Wild Ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum) native to eastern and central North America, where it blooms from July to November.

Here in central Virginia it usually blooms in late summer into early autumn. These beautiful lavender flowers attract birds, butterflies and bees.

In these two images, there is a Sachem Skipper (Atalopedes campestris) demonstrating how attractive the flowers are to butterflies.

I love it when I get cooperative models for my photographs!

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Carolina Wolf Spider

Today before lunch, this spider was found just outside the garage, here at the cabin. This is a Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis). After I got my pictures I realized I should have had something in the image for scale, but in reality it was moving so very quickly I could not have managed that.

Reading about the Carolina Wolf Spider reinforces my feeling of it being a very large size since this species is the largest Wolf Spider in North America. They can have a leg span of 3 to 4 inches and a body length of 1 to 1.5 inches.

A little early for Halloween, but this spider certainly brought thoughts of that fun holiday. Other spiders have been decorating my porches for Halloween, but this one doesn’t use a web to catch its prey. They depend on their speed and their keen eyesight to track and capture their meals.

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A Little White Moth

Lesser Maple Spanworm (Speranza pustularia) with a wingspan of 3/4 to 1 inch.

Their favorite host plant is Red Maple but will settle for other Maple trees, and many others trees like Birch, Poplar, Fir, and Hemlock.

This moth can be found in the United States east of the Great Plains and in adjacent Canadian provinces.

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And POOF! They Are Gone!

Oodles of them. And so much action it’s impossible to count them, unless of course I cheat and take a picture of them. This particular moment I think I see 13 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris), blurred by their insane movement.

And then something startles them. Perhaps someone uttering the word, “autumn”.

And then – POOF! And they are GONE!

Now I will see one or two during the course of a morning or afternoon. Not 13 or 18 all at once. Arriving at the feeder, gulping down the syrup like they have been traveling miles and miles.

Sometimes one is carrying a suitcase with a sticker, Mexico, or Panama. Such huge distances to fly with such tiny wings. They do it twice every year.

Keep watching, paying attention to what is going on around you. Nature is astounding.

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Two Very Special States

Two very special states. Two very special state flowers.

In the foreground, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) blooming for the second time which pleases me greatly. Planted them last year and now they’re back again. Maryland state flower since 1918.

In the background, Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) has been blooming every year for many many years in this spot. New Mexico became a state in 1912 and in 1927 the Yucca became the state flower.

For sure, two very special states and two very special state flowers.

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