OUR LATEST WALK AROUND ...

Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. As I have mentioned before, we moved here from California 30 plus years ago, discovering it several years later. I came across a very good history of the garden. If you would like to take a look, you can read all about it at this website. I add these links not only to share information with you all but for me to go back to, not only to learn something I may have missed, but to refresh my memory. The garden opened officially in April 1987. 

The grass is slowly returning from its dormant state and flowers and trees are beginning to put on quite a show.  We are expecting several days of rain so that should really make things pop.Outside the visitor center as you enter the garden, there are several flowers blooming. The closest ID I could find for the above were on this page. You have to scroll down a bit. They are also Hellebores but there were no markers that I could see, and I don't like to stick my hands in the undergrowth to search for one. If you know exactly, maybe you can confirm.  I saw one description, Helleborus Winter Thriller ‘Ballerina Ruffles’, but they are not an exact match. I can see where they got the Ballerina Ruffles from.

One of the many reasons I was looking forward going to the garden, was to see more daffodils. 

I was not disappointed!

This area will eventually have a wonderful display of daylilies. The markers are already placed for their identification and aren't there for the daffodils. It will be an easy ID the next time I go when the lilies are blooming.

This will probably be the last I will be sharing of the daffodils until next spring. I expect when I go again, the tulips will be blooming.  Hopefully I will be able to see them on full display.

We walked down to the magnolia tree but first sat on a bench looking at others taking their own photos. It is a good opportunity not only for a short rest, but we can see all of the lower garden from this vantage point. It is a very popular stopping point for visitors to the garden.

This is the Saucer magnolia, also known as Chinese magnolia and Tulip magnolia. 

Its botanical name is Magnolia soulangeana. They can reach to a height of 20 to 33 feet. 

It is a hybrid saucer magnolia tree native to Europe, is mainly found in the British Isles and the United States, and is known for its easy cultivation. 

A deciduous tree with large, early-blooming flowers and its shades are white, pink and purple. It is known to be one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture.  As you might guess, its name is inspired by the wide, saucer-like flowers. Not quite open enough, ‘tulip’ shaped and yet still beautiful!

Its symbolism is longevity and perseverance, nobility, love for nature, feminine sweetness and beauty. I would think there have been many poems written about this one.

Next, the Japanese Cherry, and other names are East asian cherry, Japanese flowering cherry, Hill cherry, Cherry blossom and Sakura. Its botanical name is Prunus serrulata.

There is a bench underneath the trees with a lovely view of the pond. A great spot to look at the sky and today, with the blossoms, it was a particularly pretty sight.

There is a bridge that is often used by photographers. This day a young couple posed for a professional photographer.  There were several walkers going back and forth, but they were respectful of the young couple and didn't try to get in their way to cross the bridge. They made their way around the lake instead. Gregg took a few photos which I will share next time. They were taken from a respectful distance.

We have our own Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. They are blooming right now.  The festival lasts from March 20th to April 14th.  There was a sold-out opening ceremony at the Warner Theater packed with Japanese cultural performances, including a collaborative dance with the Washington Ballet Company.

It is a spectacular sight around The Jefferson Memorial. Those trees were given as a gift to the people of America from the people of Japan in 1912.  At The National Park Service Website you can read the history of how this came to be. There is a wonderful tradition in Japan, where people have picnics and outdoor parties under these trees. The following photo is an old one I took in March 2009.

It is a popular attraction and sitting under them here at the garden, I can see why.  At the end of their life span, the petals will fly through the air as the wind blows. This phenomenon is known as hanafubuki and you can read more about it at this link.  Here is another link to a language website and it gives more information about the cherry blossoms in Japan. (I just found an old blog post of a previous visit to this garden in 2011. We were there when all the petals had fallen off the trees and they made such a pretty sight.  I'll add that post next week sometime.)

A blossom not long fallen, returning to the earth from whence it came. Another poem in the making

 perhaps?

The Canada Geese were pairing up, getting ready for nesting season no doubt. Both male and female have well-known devotion to its mate and family.  A mate will put itself in danger to protect the other or its young.  I always wondered how you could tell the difference between a male and female to someone who doesn’t know, like me.  I read recently that the tail feathers on an adult male goose are rounded, whereas on a female, the tail feathers are pointed. The tail feathers on a young goose are rounded, with a frayed and notched tail tip; edged and pointed, as they grow older.

This devotion is shown when one of the mated pair, or a family member, will go down with an injured goose and guard that goose until it recovers or dies. There are two subspecies, the Branta Canadensis Interiori (interior Canada goose) and the Branta Canadensis Maxima (giant Canada goose). The interiori Canada goose may weigh from 7 to 10 pounds, and is shorter and a tad more slender than the giant Canada goose. The giant Canada goose may weigh up to 15 to 20 pounds. My information came from this website.

“Alley-oop!"

They are very amusing when feeding.  One goes up, one goes down.

There are more interesting facts here. Depending on where you are in the world you may be familiar with their V-shaped formation (wondering if this applies to other goose species and will have to do more research). This V-shape has a purpose.  It helps the birds maintain their energy and improves communication. Each bird flies above the bird in front of them to reduce wind resistance.  And being able to see the other birds aids overall coordination.  When the lead bird gets tired, it moves to the back of the group for a well-deserved rest. There are many reasons I have always been very fond of the Canada Goose!

I have more photos from this walk but will share those another time.

THE PONDS AT GREEN SPRING GARDENS

 I was very happy to get here today (3-19-25). 

I saw the geese on the other side snoozing. We were sitting on a bench for a while just looking at them across the water. By the time we made our way around to where they were, they were awake.

Here are some interesting facts about the Canada Goose. You will most likely know a lot of these but I like to add them to a post for my own refresher course.

They are herbivores, meaning they primarily eat plants like grasses, aquatic vegetation, grains and seeds.

They are known for their strong pair bonds, often mating for life.

Canada geese are migratory birds, and they are famous for flying in a V-shaped formation during migration, which helps them conserve energy and improve communication.

The Canada goose's call is a distinctive "honk", which is a familiar sound in many areas.

They can live for 10 to 25 years in the wild.

Canada geese have a large wingspan, which can reach up to 5.6 feet (1.7 meters).

There are seven recognized subspecies of Canada geese, which vary in size and coloration.

They are opportunistic eaters, adapting their diet to what's available in their environment, including aquatic plants, grasses, seeds and grains.

They typically nest near water, often on higher ground, and the female builds the nest from dry grasses, twigs and other plant materials.

Baby geese, called goslings, are able to swim and walk within 24 hours of hatching.

It was lovely to see them again. 

More photos from the garden in a day or so.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your day is enjoyable. 

A CANADA GOOSE FAMILY

Canada Geese mate the second year and are monogamous throughout their lives, but if a mate is lost, the remaining goose will find another mate. They breed earlier in the season than most birds. The goslings usually hatch when the plants are at their highest nutritional value. Those residing in temperate climates begin nesting as soon as the conditions are favorable. Those nesting further north start in late April or early May.Most nest sites are located near water. The sites chosen offer protection from the wind while still giving the female a clear line of sight. The nest is usually built in a depression on the ground and lined with soft grass and feathers.A clutch usually consists of 4 to 8 eggs. Both parents assume responsibility for protecting the nest and incubating the eggs, but the female spends more time incubating the eggs. She will leave the nest long enough to feed and bathe before returning to her brood. During the incubation phase (25 to 28 days), the adults molt, losing their flight feathers and cannot fly.Newly hatched Canada Geese are covered with a yellow down.The gosling's down gives way to feathers and usually fledge (fly) between 6 and 9 weeks of age. The family unit remains together until the spring migration.Females always return to their place of origin, nesting close to where they hatched.The family unit stays together with the female leading, goslings following along in a row with the gander bringing up the rear. This arrangement is often called a crèche. Both parents protect their young, becoming violent when necessary.

I have always enjoyed being around the Canada Goose. These photos are from my archives.

Have a wonderful day everyone,

and thanks for stopping by.

LAST PART OF MEADOWLARK GARDEN ON 5-5-22

We have come from the far side of Lake Caroline, and walked the path near the gazebo, down to Lake Lena, which you saw in my previous posts.  Now we are on our way back to the visitor center.

This garden started from a 74-acre farm.  You can read the history of how Meadowlark came to be if you click here.  Three lakes were added to the largest stream course by the mid 1980's, and these are the lakes that have given a lot of pleasure to all the visitors who come here, including us.  

We are heading towards an area where I think I might find the Red Trillium.  There is a shaded walk we enjoy when it is hot and humid (we would be there if we were at the garden, as it is that way now - I am putting this together on 6-1-22 and it is 88 deg. F. but feels like 90, and humid).

Above and below is the Eastern bluestar.  Its botanical name is Amsonia tabernaemontana.  Also known as Willow bluestar, Blue dogbane, Willow amsonia and Blue star flower.   It blooms in the spring and can be found in central and eastern North America.  It sounds quite a hardy plant as it can tolerate -0 degrees Fahrenheit, and is relatively free of disease or pest problems.  It had only just started blooming but you can see its flowers if you click on the name above.

I was thinking more of the scenery when I took the next photo, but I noticed the plant, center left, later that night on my larger laptop screen.  Its blooms also were not there yet.  I have, however, been quite taken with the purple Alliums when they are.  It is known as the Ornamental Onion, also known as Giant allium.  Its botanical name Allium giganteum.  Another that I would like to plant in our own garden.

The next pretty flower with its vibrantly green leaves is the Celandine poppy.  Its botanical name is Stylophorum diphyllum.  Also known as Woods poppy and Yellow wood poppy.  It is native to North America, is an herbaceous perennial plant and considered endangered in Canada, according to my plant app.  It grows in the eastern United States and eastern Canada.  

It symbolizes Joys to come, how lovely!  

Next is Lily of the Valley.  Botanical name Convallaria majalis.  Its other names are European lily of the valley, Our lady's tears, May bells and Mary's tears.

Lily of the Valley originates in Euroasia.  Although it is toxic, it is popular in gardens and the perfume industry for its fragance.  It is also the national flower of Finland, and was the national flower of former Yogoslavia.  

This is the Asian virginsbower, botanical name Clematis florida.  Also known as Passion Flower Clematis and Asian clematis.  It blooms in the summer.  The Asian virginsbower is one species of garden clematis that has generated some incredible beautiful varieties.  

It is a deciduous vine that produces creamy white to purple flowers according to varieties and blooms in early summer on shoots that developed from the previous year's growth.  

Walking along our shaded path we saw many pretty flowers, but I finally came across the one I had been looking for, the Red Trillium.  I have seen the white before but never this color.  I knew it was growing in the garden because I had seen a photo, either on their Facebook page, or Instagram.  I'm not a Facebook person and only occasionally go to Instagram these days. I felt fortunate to come across the photo, my visits being as rare as they are.  It being a shade plant I was keeping my fingers crossed that it was planted somewhere along this path. 

Botanical name Trillium erectum, but also known as Purple trillium, Wake-robin, Beth root and Red Wakerobin.  It is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada and found on forest floors. 

     A perennial herbaceous plant, it blooms in spring and summer.  It can also tolerate temperatures as low as -50 degrees F.  

We are not too far from the Visitor Center now.  Our walk will be coming to an end for this particular visit.

I like this sculpture of a pine cone.  It has been here a long time.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of posts.