WiseAcre Gardens

When I left you all a couple posts ago I wasn’t feeling quite like myself. Since then I’m feeling much better except for my finger. Since it was caught in the spore cloud my finger has taken on a life of it’s own. The swelling is easing up but I’m afraid I’m going to lose that fingernail.

Next time I’m going to use my nose when I poke a puffball since my face could use the improvement.

And now for my next trick.

I’ll leave the wasp alone.

But it is a nice enough photograph of Bugbane - Cimicifuga - to use as a new Desktop Wallpaper

I caught these love bugs in the act on their honeymoon bed.

Doing the Boogie Woogie on the flat top of a Boneset flower cluster.

Eupatorium perfoliatum - Boneset

Often found with Joe-Pye-Weed in wet low ground. It’s not as common as the Joe-pye-weed in this area but large colonies are easily found.

During flu epidemics of the 19th and early 20th century Boneset was used as a treatment. Boneset leaf tea was used to induce sweating. It was considered effective at the time and research has suggested Boneset has nonspecific immune system stimulating properties.  In large doses boneset is a laxative and emetic.

Personally I think any one who reported being ‘cured’ was just sick of the side effects.

Click above photo for a 1024 x 768 sized copy suitable to use as desktop background. Just right click on the full size image and select ‘Set as Desktop Background’ from the menu.

Join Green Thumb Sundays

Globe Thistle - Echinops ritro

How many times can I say “This is one of my favorite flowers” before someone points out I repeat myself worst than a teenager saying “you know” ? But I do have my reasons Globe Thistles are high on my list.

• cool looking
• deer resistant
• late bloomer
• good self-seeder
• thrive with neglect
• dry flower arrangements
• winter interest
• I got mine for free

Yellow jackets don’t get spooked and fly off when you disturb them - they get mad. And when they get mad you don’t want to be sticking your nose into their business. I teed off this one and rather than kill it in self-defense I retreated. When I returned I found another bee with a better attitude.