Here is one of our white wingstems from our Habitat Demo Garden at the Nature Center. White wingstem goes by an array of names: Frostweed, White Crownbeard, Indian Tobacco, and Iceplant. The name "Frostweed" was applied because of the white "wings" of frost that appear on the stem during the first winter frost. This lithe member of the Composite or Sunflower family can be found along the Eastern seaboard, from Florida all the way up to Quebec. Another distinctive feature of this species are the green "wings" of leafy material along its stem, hence the name, "wingstem."
Thanks to Sierra Club of Birmingham and Turkey Creek!
Here are some pics from yesterday's workday at our Roebuck Springs property. The Sierra Club of Birmingham were a huge help in removing invasives and cleaning up around the pool house. Also, we are super grateful to Charles Yeager of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve for coming out on his off day and working so hard. It was very hot (and almost October!) but everyone was happy to help make a difference.
Our Roebuck Springs property is looking better every day, thanks in no small part to our wonderful friends. Thanks to the Sierra Club of Birmingham and Turkey Creek!
First Annual Marty's Hike
The Harvest Moon
Graze : Birmingham
Oak-leaf hydrangea, Alabama's State Wildflower
Chinju No Mori
Almost a hundred years ago, more than 100,000 young people volunteered to plant 100,000 trees in the heart of Tokyo. The trees had been donated from all over Japan in order to create an oasis of sorts, a sacred shrine forest, or chinju no mori, to surround the newly created Meiji Shrine. The future forest would become a self-renewing, naturally evolving and growing green space, sufficient on its own as a living organism and free from human intervention. The 172 acre forest, replete with fishing ponds, pathways, and an iris garden, was designed by Emperor Meiji specifically for Empress Shoken—a place where she could go to renew her energy amidst the bustle of quickly growing city. Today, the forest lives on, renewing itself, and the people of Tokyo, each spring.
For more information about Meiji Jingu Forest, visit http://www.ecology.com/2016/02/25/meiji-jingu-forest-heart-tokyo