Strawberry - Hybrid

Origin:

Hybrid, a cross between native and exotic strawberries, introduced into my garden my myself.

Indian Strawberry - Duchesnea indica

Indian Strawberry - Duchesnea indica

Origin:

Alien Exotic, very common weed introduced from Asia, likes moist shady sites, easy to pull up but almost impossible to eradicate

Bittercress

Bittercress
Origin:

Native, common lawn weed

Henbit - Lamium amplexicaule

Henbit - Lamium amplexicaule

Origin:

Alien, from Southern Europe, common lawn weed which has established itself across north america. Also know as dead nettle.

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis

Origin:

Alien, from Southern Europe, cultivated by the Greeks and Romans, a commonly grown Herb, I planted this in my garden.

Unknown - Possibly Spiraea

Origin:

Planted by a previous owner, most likely an alien

Periwinkle - Vinca Minor

Periwinkle - Vinca Minor

Origin:

Alien, native to Europe and Western Asia, widely planted ground cover, planted in my yard by a previous owner

Purple Crocus

Purple Crocus - Crocus flavus

Origin:
Alien from Southeast Europe. Planted in my yard by a previous owner

Daffodil Yellow & White

Narcissus - Yellow & White Daffodil

Origin:
Alien, south western Europe, first cultivated by the Romans, widely planted in English gardens, planted in my yard by my wife.

Daffodil Yellow

Narcissus - Yellow Daffodil

Origin:
Alien, south western Europe, first cultivated by the Romans, widely planted in English gardens, planted in my yard by my wife.

Forsythia × intermedia

Origin:

Alien, Hybrid, Forsythia is a widely planted ornamental spring blooming shrub. Asian in Origin, planted in my yard by a previous owner.

Spiderwort - Tradescantia virginiana

Spiderwort - Tradescantia virginiana

Origin: Native, planted from seed by myself

Status: Established perennial

Dutch Yellow Crocus

Dutch Yellow Crocus - Crocus flavus 2/17/09

Origin:
Alien from Southeast Europe. I see these first flowers of spring in various places around my neighborhood, possible planted by the previous owner of my house. Although these are non-native, they are neither invasive nor unsightly so I leave them alone; they bloom for about a month then go into hibernation for the summer.

First Flower of Spring

It snowed here in Richmond VA. still, the first flowers of spring have arrived. I'm am relatively new to gardening so I will attempt to document every new bloom throughout the growing season. My garden is a mix of flowers and plants: what was here when I moved in 4 winters ago, what my wife has planted with her focus on a whimsical English Cottage Garden, and what I have planted with my interest in native and medicinal flowers and plants. I will try to give as much information as possible about each bloom: its common name, its scientific name and its origin both to my backyard and to this country, why I grow it and why I haven't eradicated it if that particular bloom be either weed or alien.

Lawn & Garden

Becoming an environmentally responsible person has just as much to do with stopping bad habits as it does with starting good ones. Most of all it comes down to just thinking about what you are doing and using common sense.

One of the easiest things you and your family can do for the environment is to turn off the televisions, computers & play stations and go outside, start a small garden or simply play with your children; the exercise & fresh air will do you & the environment wonders.

Your lawn and garden should be a tranquil place where you go to relax and enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends. It is a place to play, grow flowers, fruits and vegetables and to just enjoy. So why do most people see lawn and garden care as a chore and compound the problem with technology by running gas mowers, weed eaters and leaf blowers to maintain massive lawns and why do most people then pour & spray hundreds of dollars worth of dangerous chemicals on this tranquil place to keep them green and insect free, chemicals that then seep into the ground water and pollute the air, soil and kill indiscriminately.

I Landscape for Less so should you.

Links:

http://www.nwf.org/backyard/

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/nov/02/dont-send-nutrient-rich-leaves-to-a-landfill/

http://www.lesslawn.com/articles/article1058.html

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/wildflowers/wildflowerindex.html