See these lovely wild blackberries?
We have rows and rows of these bushes all along our very long driveway.
Here’s the problem. I have never, ever been able to pick these berries without contracting a poison ivy rash. I’m not just talk about a “little itching” rash. I am talking about a livid, oozing, burning, put-your-life-on-hold-for-a-month rash that requires medical intervention with strong drugs.
Do the berries still look enticing? Not so much to me.
Aside from thinking of debilitating poison ivy, I also think of the birds. Berries such as these are a major part of the diet of many of the wild birds. Taking food out of the mouths of little birds (while simultaneously carousing with poison ivy) just seems wrong.
So forgive me if I take a pass at these berries. Of course, if you’re my way and want to bring a bucket, you’re more than welcome to help yourself to as many as you want. I’ll even throw in my doctor’s phone number.
Robin
These are today’s imponderable questions. Can someone please help me with these?
Where have all the flies suddenly come from? Sitting on the front porch this morning I was nearly carried off by black, buzzing flies. They seem particularly attracted to the white Adirondack chairs in the front too. I am considering a carnivorous plants theme garden.
How is it that when I travel away from home on business my husband and son can muster the energy to take themselves out for dinner, but when I’m home, they can’t?
How can it be that work expands to the time you have to do it? Business is slow, but I’ll be darned it if still doesn’t take all day.
What is the purpose in having the WHOLE family of six stand side-by-side in a line right next to the luggage carousel at the airport to pick up Grandma’s single suitcase, preventing anyone else from even seeing the conveyor belt?
Why does it take my son 15 minutes to mow the Back 40 while it takes me 45 minutes to mow the same area?
Is it wrong to hope that something untoward happens to the male and female cardinal pair that has been attacking the windows of our house, front and back, 18 hours/day for the past month? The noise is incessant.
Who let the dogs out? Oh, I know the answer to that one. That would be me. Apparently I am the ONLY ONE living in this house capable of opening the door and stepping outside with the dogs.
(This is Miss P, our resident feline. She is crabby. I think it’s the dogs. I have talked with her about the cardinal situation, but she hasn’t yet taken action.)
Robin
You know those thriller movies where the villain seems to have super-human strength?
They bounce off of cars, fall from bridges, take bullets, catch on fire. Still, they muster the energy to pursue the good guy.
Well, I know some plants like that. Here is my short list of plants I absolutely, without a doubt, cannot kill. Good thing they don’t have legs and arms or I would be in trouble.
#1 Plant I Cannot Kill – Rose Campion
I agree that this lovely pink-flowered plant on the delicate silvery stems looks innocent enough peaking through the garden gate. The problem is that the Rose Campion spreads and re-seeds virulently. For two summers I have ruthlessly yanked up all the plants I can find. Still, they manage to return again and again.
It wouldn’t be so bad if they always looked like this. They don’t. There are so many flowers that it takes a good deal of assiduous deadheading to keep them looking their finest. Basically, I find this a high-maintenance plant.
This year I have a soft heart and let a couple sneak through my weeding frenzy. I will pay for that.
#2 Plant I Cannot Kill – Johnny-Jump-Ups
Last year I planted Johnny-Jump-Up seeds outside the dwarf boxwoods in this raised bed in the Colonial theme garden. At first, I was charmed by their vigorous appearance. But when they threatened to destroy the boxwoods by mutating to some 18″ in height, I yanked them up by their little throats. Did they give up? No. They remain in the center of the bed and have re-seeded throughout the garden, including in the paths and even in my lettuce bed.
As you can see, I don’t exactly take a zero-tolerance policy. I have let the ones that sneaked past me continue to grow.
(BTW, I think the whole idea of zero tolerance is a bit scary. But then, this isn’t a political blog, is it?)
#3 Plant I Cannot Kill — Mint
I know, I know. Everyone tells you that mint spreads like crazy and you must do something to contain it. I swear on my Papillons that I did not plant this mint in the ground. It was in a pot and JUMPED out. It is everwhere, including wandering through the lawn.
My son has the habit of grabbing a sprig and chewing on it when he wanders by. At least it servers some entertainment purpose.
So Here’s What You Do…
If you know someone who claims a black thumb but also swears they are interested in gardening, get them a little box and fill it with Rose Campion, Johnny-Jump-Ups and mint and see who wins.
Robin
