Mystery solved! I'd been wondering what pollinates a Closed Bottle Gentian flower that never opens. Today I found out and was surprised that it was something as large as a bumblebee and that it spent a full minute inside before re-emerging. Nature is just too cool.

Things will be right in my mind when an expert like Dustin Demmer doesn't have to also maintain the plantings he designs/installs. If landscapers had the knowledge and experience to guide an ecological project with diverse native flora towards success, he could plant more sites.

My name is James Dillon and I promise to do what I can for the rest of my life to help insects, the backbone of Earth's ecosystems. Seeing Douglas Tallamy's presentation last night has reinvigorated my commitment. Now, off to create another layered garden with native plants...

Heuchera villosa flowers emerge from our study of native ground covers with evergreen foliage. Not seeing much mulch? Exactly.

This cohousing development views invertebrates as their neighbors too.

'Winter King' Hawthorn, a favorite of mine!

Looking back to late June of this meadow's 2nd year. We stack ALL the cards in favor of success. If one thing not perfect (ex. existing vegetation, turf grasses, weeds from the soil seed bank) = totally different outcome. We learned how to do this by attending NDAL symposiums.

Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness. ~Leo Tolstoy

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley❤️

where I like to walk in the morning, to connect with nature and get my head right before the day. The Broomsedge makes a straw colored ribbon in the foreground.

Another complete front yard removal, yes it's a postage stamp size, but it's gone, 🎶it's gone,🎶📢 the turf's all gone!

Going through the motions today, feeling crushed. Someone I've played chess with for 100+ Sunday AM's decided to uninvite me after a 10 minute political conversation. No trying to understand the other person, just an end to the beautiful tradition, the friendship. Just like that.

If I were to redo this seeded meadow, I wouldn't change a thing. The absolute key here was beginning with a 100% bare soil situation with essentially zero starting weed competition or weed seed present in the seed bank. Pic 7/26

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃Grateful for the community of Dead Heads who keep the music and legacy of the Dead alive, sharing it far and wide.

A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope.

So many species of birds and mammals relish crab apples, even Ring-necked Pheasants, as demonstrated by this hen. If you landscape for wildlife, I highly recommend including crab apple trees in your plan.

Help support Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia by donating or retweeting. paypal.com/donate/?hosted…

I just donated to Xerces Society Inc! Will you join me in supporting their cause? secure.qgiv.com/for/xerces

My good friend and musician, Tim, is fighting cancer. Any help would be so greatly appreciated. Please support this GoFundMe by donating or sharing if you can—every bit of help makes a difference. gofund.me/7847365c