Bees, bees and more bees

Once again our strong hive swarmed and this time rather than settling low to the ground as the first swarm did, they went high into this oak tree, here seen through my binoculars.

I threw a weighted rope over the highest branch I could reach and hoisted a box (circled blue) with swarm lure inside, but it was a good 15 ft below the swarm (circled blue) and I went indoors for lunch without much hope of success.

After lunch, I fully expected the swarm to have flown to pastures new.

What I did not expect was the new pasture would be our garden fence, 

Easily within reach for recapture.

I held a cardboard box below the swarm and shook the fence,

Then I emptied the box into the hive. 

This was a substantial swarm and it took considerable time for the swarm to follow the queen into the hive.

But eventually the bees left the fence

 and are now safely back in a new hive.

Now we have the original hive (center R) which is still very strong, the early Spring split (center L) The first swarm (Left) and the second swarm (Right)

Speaking engagements

Two upcoming events, the first, on the 13th of June at 10 am. Michelle and I will be joining Thomas Christopher and Dave Tresselt on ICRV Radio to discuss Gardens and Stonework.

All you need is access to the Internet and you can listen from anywhere in the world.

On the 12th of July at 6.30pm I will be speaking at the New Canaan Public Library.

Frogs, Toads and the occasional snake in the grass

With all the rain we have had recently, extra care should be taken when cutting your grass.

Small young frogs, recently emerged from the pond are looking for food in, on and under the grass.

Toads too, although usually found where they can dig into the loose soil

are also out hunting on your lawn.

As are the snakes

Frogs, toads and snakes are the gardeners friend, eating slugs, grubs and all manner of bugs.

Two spectacular trees and a hint of things to come

Two standout springtime trees, basking in the evening sun.

 One for its fringe like fragrant flowers.

The fragrance being noticeable when the air is still.

The other for its yellow leaves

which turn green later in the year.

Here pollarded to keep it around 15 ft, rather than the usual 50ft.

Propagation

I layered this oak leaf hydrangea last fall. over the winter the stem has produced roots and new leaf growth has emerged. I will leave it attached to the parent plant  until winter dormancy and then cut the old stem, dig up and replant.

This Spring I have layered several choice shrubs, including the Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple". First find a stem that can be bent to the ground without damage, then wound the stem by scraping away the outer layer of bark to expose the green cambium layer.

Scrape a channel in the soil, bury the wounded area of the stem, cover with soil and weigh down with a medium size stone, or other similar weight.

Other shrubs that we are layering.

Duetzia

Duetzia, right foreground

Rosa Rugosa

 worth propagating for its fragrance.

Viburnum horizontalis

Here past its best, but still an exceptional shrub.

Weigela

Sometimes no assistance is required, if the stem is resting on the ground it will produce roots as with this Cotinus.

This self sown seedling is of a different Wigela cultivar, but it may not come true to type.

These seedlings from the spirea back center may also show variations from the parent plant

At first I thought this must be a seedling from the parent rose

But it is an off shoot from a root. I've never seen this before on a rose.

Shades of green

 Nine years in the making.

Over the years, as the Junipers have grown, we have re-sited all but the front row of Boxwood.

With the addition of the Vinca to our entrance planting, we now have four shades of green including the Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'.

We probably will never see the mature magnificence of this stately tree, but hopefully some will.

Eye Protection

The stone chip hit the bottom of my safety glasses and ricocheted in to my cheek. A colleague, when I asked why he did not did not wear eye protection replied "It's all in the blink" my response "Let's hope so , or it's all in the eye" I don't think my eyelid would have offered much protection.

When working with stone always wear eye protection.