Report From An Opinionated Gardener – July 4
Today I was remembering a book that I used to read to my kids when they were young. In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, the young protagonist bemoans everything that is going wrong, and finishes by saying, “I think I’ll move to Australia.” His mother wisely says, “Some days are like that, even in Australia.”
I wasn’t recalling this delightful children’s book because I had a bad day. In fact, I weeded in my gardens most of the this Independence Day, and I love weeding. But everywhere I worked I came across young poison ivy plants. I’m sensitive to this weed so I kept changing gloves and washing my hands after pulling these seedlings. It was tiresome.
We’re into our fourth summer here at Poison Ivy Acres, and this season the young Rhus radicans is more prevalent than I’ve seen it. “It’s a good year for Poison Ivy,” I found myself thinking…“some years are like that.” Maybe even in Australia.
It's not only a good year for poison ivy seedlings, but for hydrangea flowers as well.
One of my favorites is coming into flower: Twist and Shout.
