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Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder
Maeng Da Kratom Where its name can be translated to mean Pimp Grade, this is indeed hand select grade, handpicked in Thailand.
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Found product to be of high quality. Helps to take the edge off and to boost mental state of well being.
Found product to be of high quality. Helps to take the edge off and to boost mental state of well being.
I have purchased before and this time equally as great. I was not let down by the quality of product and effectiveness of the Kratom.
I would highly recommend all three, but I will be purchasing the Green Thai again as i felt it was the best of the three for my needs.
I've tried other strains from other suppliers but I feel the quality and pricing are far better here than other places I've tried! Will be ordering again soon!
Clarity and motivation
Clarity and motivation
While not as effective as the super green or white variations, the green maeng da kratom still does the job and helps in the pain relief department!
I'm a general fan of green Maeng Da and this is probably the best strain I have come across. It is definitely more potent than most brands, though not quite as strong as the super maeng da (obviously).
Very nice strain, maybe a little weaker than expected but that might be a good thing for people that need to be more relaxed. Will be trying other strains from this supplier.
I love this powder! Great energy and greatly helps the pain in my knees!
I love this powder! Great energy and greatly helps the pain in my knees!
One of my favorite strains out of all that I've tried! The green Maeng Da does very well for mood and energy for me! I will be purchasing again in the future !
It gives a great boost to keep your day going.
Great quality and better than others
I like this product from some of the other products I have tried else were.
This is my second favorite strain out of all I've tried. My first is the super green maeng da and my go to is powder form as it can be mixed in drinks preferably orange juice. Definitely will be ordering again!
Best Kratom on the market, and I've tried them all. Excellent customer service. Highly Satisfied, highly recommended
Great uplift in the morning, lasts most of the day
The service is professional and the product is good.
Great Quality but kinda pricey. The 15% off & free shipping helps.
Works great
Love the products, just wish they weren't out of pretty much everything except a few small size packages. No issues with quality and love the test results for alkaloids on the bag. Thanks
Love the products, just wish they weren't out of pretty much everything except a few small size packages. No issues with quality and love the test results for alkaloids on the bag. Thanks
Can't believe how well this works. 10/10
Aside from providing high quality, *much* needed product, PurKratom gives you great customer service. They respond to inquiries in a very timely manner and are polite and accommodating. Green Maeng Da is a godsend for me. It helps with all or most of my pain and allows me to function like a normal person, which is a really big deal for me because pain has kept me debilitated for years. Thank you for giving me my life back, PurKratom.
It is as advertised. Keeps me from going to other vendors. they do have great customer service as well.
Love this product to help with chronic pain.
I have suffered from chronic pain for over a decade. PurKratom's Green Maeng Da powder actually helps take most of my pain away and gives me a bit of energy and drive, which is also something I normally struggle with. This product is brilliant and I cannot recommend it enough for people who suffer from severe chronic pain.
I love this product, I have chronic pain and rely on this to help and manage the pain. Thank you PurKratom.
Good for energy and focus
I have some with orange juice or coffee in the morning before work and it improves my mood, helps with pain and makes me focus more on what I am doing. I like to take a small flat tablespoon dose which is what seems to work best for me. My job is very physically demanding and it makes me feel stronger.
The best strain!
The best strain!
This was an interesting strain of Kratom. I've read that the Maeng Da varieties were strong and stimulating and this batch did not let me down. Just a small dose gave me a clear headed mind with enough focus and energy that lasted most of the afternoon. Sometimes I even like to mix a little red vein with it to even out the effects. Overall, great strain for getting things done, but not something you would want to take if your trying to relax.
Best green strain for daytime and mixing with white. I just wish they would have the 1lb in stock or take it off the list. I've yet to see it available after being a customer for almost a year.
This is the best quality Kratom I have found. At first I hesitated to order online, but the delivery was so fast and it saved me a trip into the city where I usually go to buy it.
One of my favorite strains, I would like to see some type of rewards for cost.
Received product quickly & was pretty good..just to costly compared to some other vendors
This is my favorite and all round best. I highly recommend this for body aches and a bit of energy. Two thumbs up
This is my favorite. The Red Maeng Da is very good too.
Great product helps with my back great!!
Great supplement. Works fast and doesnt have a funky taste.
Great supplement. Works fast and doesnt have a funky taste.
I use this kratom for my knee, and for a nice kick of energy!
So far this has worked the best. I received my shipment very fast both times I've orderd from PurKratom. My only wish is they (and other distributors) would come up with a better way of packaging. When getting down to the bottom of the bag it's very hard to get it all out.
Great product,!!
Good quality and fair price. Free shipping helps to offset the slightly higher price. I will order again.
I'm used to using the extract, but this powder is awesome!!! I mix with some oj in the morning and have an awesome pain free day filled with energy. Love this product!!
I'm used to using the extract, but this powder is awesome!!! I mix with some oj in the morning and have an awesome pain free day filled with energy. Love this product!!
Excellent service and reliability
I add Green Maeng Da to my decaf coffee in the mornings on a daily basis... it gives me a good energy/and mood boost, throughout my day. I have what my doctor has settled on describing as "carpal tunnel-like symptoms" but without actually calling it that. Anyway, by taking a supplement of the Green Maeng Da every morning, it greatly reduces my discomfort throughout the day and helps me stay motivated and positive. Thanks, PurKratom!
This is my favorite of all of the green blends. Gives me energy yet doesn't make me jittery. Great buy!
Green Maeng Da powder is one of my favorite strains. It is an effective strain for mood and wellbeing with other high-quality strains. I like that it is readily available in the
more economical larger packages.
I just want to say that I couldn't be more happy with the service that your company & quality of the product. I always get the Green Maneg Da powder & it's always consistent & the quality never varies, it's a great product...I've been buying now for just about 2 yrs & never been disappointed
I love this strain! Gives me energy and I need it! Great product!
This strain is my favorite! I work out a lot and I detail boats, this causes pain and inflammation. I love the paks of powder because its a better value for your money. Also great for energy. Fast delivery as well. I highly recommend this brand.
As always I enjoy and benefit from the consistency of the quality of Green Maeng Da. Thanks for great customer service.
I like this strain for those days when I need energy and focus.
I would have to say this is a very good brand.
It doesn't take much to give me energy while also relaxing me. The fact that its lab tested makes it worth every penny. It's definitely a quality product compared to other vendors.
I would highly recommend this strain!
When I alternate green and white it seems to help keep the happy mood going.
Been using Purekratom products for a year now. Very happy with fast deliveries and price. This strand is my favorite for my wellbeing.
This has been a lifesaver for me! I have some in the morning and it wakes me up and gives me the energy that at 50 years is hard to find. The bonus for me is NO side effects. I love it and will be purchasing more.
love it
This is a better strain. My second favorite.
Purkratom products are the best! The green maeng da is quite an energizing as well and for overall wellbeing.
This was my first purchase and I have to say that all of the reviews have been accurate! This is a great product for aches and has also helped me maintain my focus!
Will be purchasing again
It is great to mix up
Always works great, great for focus and mood!
Purkratom has the hightest quality kratom I have bought. A couple of times when I tried other companies I even threw the product out after trying. Purkratom also has the fastest shipping.
This green has proven consistent it's it's quality to provide a relaxing and calming effect.
This product is great and has been used to relieve my neuropathy! I would highly recommend it!
I was very fortunate to find PurKratom as a newbie to Kratom. Heard about the product from a chronic pain podcast and decided to give it a try. After doing some research, decided to go with the Green Maeng Da strain. From the first time I tried it, awesome pain relief with a boost of energy as a bonus to function throughout the day. When the product was out of stock here...I went with someone else's product which was a big mistake. Definitely not the same. In my opinion, PurKratom does not only produce top quality product, but has one of the best customer service teams out there. Thank you PurKratom for giving me my life back!
This product is great and helps with my neuropathy pain! I highly recommend this.
This product is great and helps with my neuropathy pain! I highly recommend this.
Great stuff and gives me energy and takes my aches and pains away
This is my favorite strain, it helps me get through rough days at work. I have a very phisycal job and I am in pain after lifting 100 plus cases of beverages 3 times every day. This gives me energy, kills pain and gets rid of my hunger. It also makes me more alert and less forgetful. In other words, my brain works better. What's not to like?
Green is working almost as good as white. Had ti try something different.
Better than the gas station stuff. Much cheaper and higer quality also. The last company I tried was twice as much for half the product and it wasn't good. Another happy customer!
Good for pain. Fast shipment!
Better quality than other sites, also got here fast!
The Green Maeng Da has all the pain relief effect of the red, while also aiding in alertness. Definitely recommend!
Worked great lots of energy
Worked great lots of energy
Worked great lots of energy
Both products worked really well lots of energy and pain relief! Highly recommend!
Great Product. Reccomend highly.
Great product. Quality products too. Thank you purkratom for your hard work.
Love it!
This product provides great relief from my sciatic pain!
This product provides great relief from my sciatic pain!
This product provides great relief from my sciatic pain!
This product is great and really helps to releave my sciatic pain!
Pur Kratom has consistently met all my expectations, never lets me down. I have tried almost all their products, and the green maeng da powder is one of my favorites. It is the perfect morning go to, provides hours of energy for me at work, and helps me focus. I began using it years ago for pain relief and to wean myself off opiods, and without this product I never ever would have been able to get through the withdrawals. I thank God for kratom, and that I have found a reputable vendor to order it from.
Green maeng da is great for that morning pick me up.. helps with anxiety and some pain relief. Great product and excellent company and customer service is really top notch!
Great energy. Will try your white next time.
Green Maeng Da provides a relaxing and mildly euphoric feeling at the end of a long and stressful day. It has been helpful for getting and staying to sleep at night. The quality of the product is unsurpassed.
Tried for pain in joints. I'm moving more than before. Thank you
Overall pretty decent.
Fast shipping
One teaspoon of kratom green Maeng Da, cup of hot water, mix throughout ingestion, and feel the pain dissipate within 30 minutes. Six month user with no side effects to report.
For an improved taste, add one teaspoon of honey. The grit is probably the only negative, however the results are so good it quickly becomes a non issue.
This is a very good product and long lasting.
This is probably my favorite Kratom. I can honestly say that I have been extremely please since I first bought this item over a year ago. This product is consistently great and this company has always been easy and professional to deal with.
As always, this strain is still my favorite daytime strain. Would like to see the price come down a bit OR even better, I would for once like to see the kilo option not be out of stock. I been a long time buyer and Ive never seen it available. Doesn't seem right.
A great strain to take for pain relief and an overall feeling of well-being during the day.
A great strain to take for pain relief and an overall feeling of well-being during the day.
A great strain to take for pain relief and an overall feeling of well-being during the day.
My order got lost in the mail and when I notified customer support they shipped another order immediately without wasting a bunch of time trying to track down my order.
This kratom is absolutely amazing! This gives me energy, fights anxiety, and relieves my aches and pains!
Comparable to Red Vein with an added energy boost
've been using Kratom for about 2 years after 3 months I quit the Prozac, that I was on for 10 years. Now I have energy and the will to do things. With Prozac I wanted to do things, did not have the energy, and did not care if they got done or not.
I think everyone on Prozac needs to try It. The one drawback is constipation, but a stool softener takes care of that.
I find this more relaxing than the red strains.
Excellent quality, will reorder
I had Severe Diarrhea for about a week
Was almost Hospitalized
prompt service and excellent
This product helps me so much! I was going through emotional and physical problems at the time I tried this strain but, with my trusty bottle of kratom from Purkratom by my side I can find peace and contentment while maintaining mental clarity and agility. All of the strains I have tried from this company have been excellent but above all the ease of use and friendlness of their website and staff set this company apart from any competition out there.
I think this is my favorite come in doing business was easy
My favorite kind of Kratom for sure! It's definitely gives a nice good energy and is awesome to put the powder in smoothies!
This is the first strain I've tried, it's worked great for me so far. I felt the effects from just a couple of grams
Excellent choice when in stock!
I find the analgesic affect on par with the Red Vein with a slight energy boost.So far a good combination.
Green Maeng Da is the second kind of kratom I have tried. I take it in the morning with a cup of coffee. Gives a nice energizing perk without any jitters and helps to keep the mind clear. The quality of kratom I have received from PurKratom seems top notch.
Good value
Puts me in a great mood and gives me tons of energy. It's a life saver on days where I"m a little under the weather.
Best quality out there!
I've tried several different vendors and I have found PurKratom to be exceptional in their products, customer service, delivery and attention to detail. Highly recommend them for your Kratom needs!
Both the Green and White Maeng Da haved really helped arthritis pain!
I really do thank God for this special product, it has been my life saver- I don't need to be addicted to painkillers anymore
Over the last year or so I've experienced ordering my products from numerous venders and I will tell you my personal exp, PURKRATOM comes in FIRST PLACE in every aspect from beginning to time it's in my hands ! They have superior product and superior customer service !!! even though they deal in high volume traffic they will ALWAYS email you back and or make voice contact with you their TOP priority is CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION !! in product and in customer service / personally i feel from my experience PURKRATOM is second to none! I pray they will always be there ! I've tried several strands ( Capsule & Powder ) all superior I never have to worry
My fav, Maeng de Grn & Grn Maya both powder and capsules come in play in my life. I strongly recommend PURKRATOM
This product gave me great energy & stopped my headaches. Also, quick shipping
When I started using kratom, this was my go to site.. Went from pre-made capsules, to powder.. This is my favorite strain to date, but not from here. There's many websites that sell this in kilo portions (was always told by support its not available anymore, and often out of supply) .. Changed to a different vendor, bought many kilos and at a fraction of the price of the 1/2 lb here (even using discounts...and their quality is at least double the strength of powder here. Easy access, but very low quality and price.
I've tried both the green maeng da and malay and personally this is my go to strain in the morning. My only gripe is the price and that it seems to constantly be out of stock and I still have never been able to order the kilo qty.
Chronic back and neck pain, chronic kidney stones. I was miserable to be around.
I glass of hot Kratom tea and in the next 30 to 40 mins, i can feel the pain diminish. Fact: I can't imagine going back to September 2018 before i found this gift.
This is better than any opiod I've ever taken for pain relief!
Great company great products always get my shipment in a timely manner and this company is always willing to make things right in the event of a delay or error
My favorite so far. Gives lots of energy and uplifting mood! Purekrstom is so wonderful to deal with! Thank you!
This is my morning coffee... great energy.
This is my morning coffee... great energy.
It has been a positive change in my life giving me a better outlook by helping me get back involved with family and friends. Also has helped free my negative outlook on life and be more involved in my therapy. I feel more organized in my thoughts and have started back doing things that give me a sense of accomplishment.
The strains and access to try other ones is OK to beginners... Eventually found out prices and large sales was garbage..if you put a few minutes in research, you can easily buy higher quality product for a FRACTION of the price, in way higher quantities.. Do not recommend if you like kratom besides expensive samples
I love the product, but I have not ordered anything from you in months.
I tried the Green Maeng Da based on a recommendation and gave it 3/5 stars. It is long lasting, like most green strains, but did not feel very potent. I'm still looking for a green strain that is both potent and long lasting. I was a little disappointed to be honest and usually mix it with better strains. I may have to go back to the super green Malay that was a 5/5 for my taste. I'm going to keep up my search because greens are typically my favorites. Having said that, Purkratom has the best customer service and products overall. No selection will hit the mark every time.
I use the Green Maeng Da at work to get me through the afternoon. It has a nice calming effect with a boost of energy to finish off my day.
I really enjoy this strain of Kratom. I have issues with sciatica and this provides me with a great amount of relief! Also, I have not had any issues with any of their products and really like the company!
I really enjoy this strain of Kratom. I have issues with sciatica and this provides me with a great amount of relief! Also, I have not had any issues with any of their products and really like the company!
I have purchased many times from PURKRATOM and have always been happy. This order was not even close. Potency level was way down (non existent). I feel that if PURKRATOM wants to stay in business they need to do a better job of screening there products prior to shipment. I have no plans of buying Green Maeng DA from them in the future. (Sorry Purkratom)
I have purchased many times from PURKRATOM and have always been happy. This order was not even close. Potency level was way down (non existent). I feel that if PURKRATOM wants to stay in business they need to do a better job of screening there products prior to shipment. I have no plans of buying Green Maeng DA from them in the future. (Sorry Purkratom)
I have purchased many times from PURKRATOM and have always been happy. This order was not even close. Potency level was way down (non existent). I feel that if PURKRATOM wants to stay in business they need to do a better job of screening there products prior to shipment. I have no plans of buying Green Maeng DA from them in the future. (Sorry Purkratom)
As advertised! Great product, exact effects desired.
I thought the green would give me more energy but just seem to relax more than anything .
The first time getting this strain i absolutely loved it! It helped so much with my anxiety. However the second time I purchased it i found that it had a very weird effect (not in a good way) or else it had no effect at all. I was bummed because I know how good it was compared to the other kinds. So I'm not really sure what that's all about, I've never had this experience before. I guess it just made me question the quality and hesitant of buying again.
My favorite strain so far! Energy and mood stayed balanced throughout the entire day!
I took my usual and did not have any relief at all. So upsetting... at least there is very fast free shipping. That's always good.
I ordered a kilo of the Super Green Maeng Da and it was of some of the best quality I have had and the kilogram price is unbeatable. Will definitely be ordering again when I run out!
Good strain gives less energy than the green Malay but is better relaxing for me, that being said, this stuff can be different for everyone, try till you find the best for you.
Really enjoyed this one
Not my favorite green but still nice strain. Love all your products
The strain lives up to its name.. guaranteed energy with a good balance of being able to relax and at the same time enjoy the slight euphoria that sets in afterwards. Also I am satisfied with this strain in particular because of the long-lasting effects compared to other strains.
I have chronic pain in my shoulders and hips for many years and your product helps me get through the day with less pain and no addictive feeling . I love your product
Ordered several varieties, as I'm new to Kratom. This variety helped my back pain(surgeons can't repair), also did not have side affects that pain meds did. Researched a lot of companies, products, reviews, etc...came back to PurKratom. They have quality products, shipping, and were quick to reply to any concerns/questions that i had.
The quality was awesome
Excellwnt in every way!!
Delivery of my Green Maeng Da Kratom power was quick and on point. Customer service is also prompt in answering my questions via email. The product is of very good quality and price point . Along with that, the PurKratom's Green Maeng Da Kratom is a good cost effective method to lowering my anxiety and pain issues. It's a great starter point for anyone who would like to experiment with Kratom and I highly recommend the product. I will be ordering from PurKratom again.
I have tried buying the same strain from other companies but it never works as well as Purkratom! Such fast service and a better product. I've used their customer service before and they respond so quickly. Will never stray again.
Nice pick me up
Good relief of anxiety and won't make you tired
Good processing
Highly recommended for someone who is beginning to try Kratom. this strain help relieve some of my back aches and did calm my nerves. Definitely will reorder again.
My baseline for all other strains to compare. Will always be my "go-to."
Smooth without the jitters or unpleasant side effects
I think this product is great I have issues with sciatica and this definitely does help to calm the nerves! I would highly recommend it!
My father uses the product and is very pleased with how it relieves his back and neck pain.
My father uses the product and is very pleased with how it relieves his back and neck pain.
This is the best Green MD I have used in quality, texture, effect and packaging.
This product relieves my chronic pain. It works and it's affordable. Purkratom offers a more consistently effective product than others I've tried.
not as peppy as green malay
The Green Maeng Da powder is my go-to strain - consistent positive effects!!!
It is a great product and have used it several times with only positive results! I would encourage you to buy this product with confidence!
This product is great! It provides the best pain relief and I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
I have tried a few different strains from this company to find which one aids my chronic pain disorder the best. This strain is my favorite so far- it helps alleviate my aches and pains and gives me an energetic, happy mind-feel. Purkratom also has amazing customer service and ships very quickly, which is something I really appreciate. If you have not tried this strain yet, I would highly recommend it.
I love your product, I have tried other venders, but none is as good as yours.
The only problem I have is with these reviews - I have done serveral do these reviews-and NEVER has the discount worked.
Admin: Hello Debbie, Thank you for your feedback! Discount codes should be working properly when applying reviews, however, if you experience the same issue in the future we will apply the discount to your next purchase.
I found green meang da to be my favorite strain and PurKratom definitely has top quality.. just wondering if anyone can tell me what the difference is compared to the super green maeng da?
Good day,
I have been using You product now for a few months, I have tried this kratom from another vender and it just was not the same. Your kratom is the better quality product. I will not go to another source again.
I trust using your company for my kratom. My only issue is with availability when I need to order. It is often out of stock in the larger quantities. I have access to a local company which keeps me in product but it isn't the same quality. Other than availability, this company has a good product and customer service is wonderful. I will keep using Purkratom. Their site is simple and organized to order from. Thank You PurKratom.
This is first time I've tried the green. Have used the red a few times. Seems okay for pain relief. Thought it would be more. But I'm still experimenting. I will be ordering more today!! Thanks for fast shipping!
Great for mood, energy, and an all around feeling of positive well-being...my favorite strain!!!
A little bit more expensive than other retailers, but definitely the cleanest purest kratom I've tried so far
I have fibromyalgia and arthritis...and I just have to say that within 30 minutes of my first dose of this, I was the most pain free that I have ever been since I moved away from Seattle where I was legally prescribed cannabis. I live in TN now, so my options for pain relief are very limited (especially since they are making it all but impossible to be prescribed opioid painkillers anymore). I also find that my energy level was incredibly high. Fibro fatigue is something that plagues me in many days, but I found myself feeling motivated to clean and organize when taking this. I highly recommend this strain especially for anyone who has a chronic pain condition.
This is by far my favorite strain and my go to. The energy is enough to get me through the whole day and the pain relief is better for me than any other strain.
Great and any time I have a question .y'all reply back quickly
Great for migraines
I have suffered from chronic pain caused by multiple auto immune diseases. Because of the new regulations (I'm assuming), my doctor is hesitant to give out the prescription. I'm desperately trying to find a substitute. These doctors are quick to take it away, but not replace with anything that helps. This is necessary. People like me aren't taking it for no reason. Anyway, through my search I found this. It was suggested to me (not by this company) to try the Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder to give me the best pain relief. Sadly, it did not help. I tried multiple times with an increased dosages with no relief. That being said, because of the auto immune diseases, my intestinal tract is horrible and absorbing any medications, vitamins, or nutrients is very minimal. The Oxy that I was taking was like taking an aspirin for a bad headache. It may have taken the edge off. Anything else did not help.
I am not giving up though. Another source stated that the Bali was the best, so I just ordered it and am giving that a try.
Excellent product. We will continue to order!!
This is great to relive pain and also gives me a tiny boost of energy. Perfect for those days where I am in pain and I also didnt sleep well because of it.
My favorite strain is the Green Maeng Da but i always recommend switching up your strains from time to time when it becomes less effective. This is a good one to switch it up with but still get some energy.
Awesome product. A+++++++ customer service! Very happy we found Your website. Thank you!
Awesome product. A+++++++ customer service! Very happy we found Your website. Thank you!
Awesome product. A+++++++ customer service! Very happy we found Your website. Thank you!
Just give it a try. It's the bees knees.
Very nice product! Shipped in a very timely manner and I will definitely be purchasing more of there product ..works very well for pain and soreness.
Very nice product! Shipped in a very timely manner and I will definitely be purchasing more of there product ..works very well for pain and soreness.
Very nice product! Shipped in a very timely manner and I will definitely be purchasing more of there product ..works very well for pain and soreness.
Very nice product! Shipped in a very timely manner and I will definitely be purchasing more of there product ..works very well for pain and soreness.
Very nice product! Shipped in a very timely manner and I will definitely be purchasing more of there product ..works very well for pain and soreness.
I recently started using this product and wish I knew of it sooner. The energy is gives me is like I'm 10 years younger. In the past I've had back surgery and both hips totally replaced. This product has helped me tremendously !!
Was very well pleased with the product. I don't believe it was the exact strain I need but it definitely lives up to it reputation.
The Green Maeng Da is still my favorite - provides a nice boost in mood and energy without making me jittery. Good stuff!!!
Great stuff. Really gets me motivated!
This stuff is very good, wish it was a little stronger but I just take a little more. Most people will feel it, iam a big guy so that's why I take a little more.
Well let me just say this about PurKratom's Green Maeng Da: It set me free! I'm fairly new to Kratom, but it's already changing my life. I wish I'd heard about it decades ago! I initially ordered Bali and Maeng Da from another vendor, which was fine, but then I googled the top ten suppliers and PurKratom was at the top of the list. I ordered the Green Mang Da and it was far superior in quality, taste and results. I've lived in chronic misery for 30 years from a failed spinal fusion and nerve damage resulting in neuropathy in the lower left part of my body, not to mention ongoing muscle, joint and tendon issues (name an "opathy" or an "itis" and I've probably got it). I've been on every shape, size and strength of the numerous medications prescribed for chronic pain, including opiates, for just as long. And between the contracts, urine tests, pill counts and other stringent controls now part of Pain Mgt., I sometimes feel like a danged criminal. Now, I take 1-1 ½ tsp. of Green Maeng Da 2-3 times a day and I've already considerably decreased my opiate intake. Not only does it control my pain, it's reduced the accompanying depression and anxiety and has dramatically improved my mood. I actually feel happy these days! This is literally a miracle for me. I'm blown away. I gave a dosage to my neighbor, who suffers with fibro, and she was equally amazed and I'm ordering some for her as well. And their customer service is amazing! It took longer than expected for the shipping so I emailed, and they got back to me immediately and offered a shipping upgrade one my next order. I've also had a few questions, which were answered just as quickly - like, does Kratom show up on a standard urine test? It does not. So I can continue with pain mgt. until I'm completely off opiates. Unbelievable. If you live with any of the issues that have plagued me and haven't tried this product from PurKratom, you need to do so immediately. Thank You!!!!
I love this kratom. It really helps me.
Arrived a week late but that was on the USPS from what I gather. Good value for how much I got. Not exactly what I was expecting, but was still above average experience.
It helps with my energy I would recommend it to anyone.
This is my all time favorite strain for energy, will always repurchase. Also the cheapest Kratom in the market. I've bought Kratom 3x the price as this and nothing compares in quality.
Used on an empty stomach, I started with 2g at first using the toss and wash method. I noticed the effects within 20-30 minutes. I didn't experience a high for those wanting a buzz this is not for you. What I experienced was a calming feeling similar to that of a opiate perscription just on a small scale. I noticed a small relief of pain in my leg where I had surgery. For daily use this isn't really ideal seeing as how much is needed to use. For a mood enchancer this is what I would use it for.
Not as potent as other strains, but eases your mood, good for when you're at work
Works as advertised. Great for pain and stress.
Love the Green Mang Da! Keeps the pain away, and keeps me going!
Quality product. Clean. Very effective. Will reccommend to anyone...
I used this strain a lot and this was high quality stuff did the job and this company delivers all that they promise
Very good. Nice flavor I'm ordering again plus trying 2 other strains
My husband really likes this product. It gives him an extra boost of energy during the day.
I have tried many vendors and PurKratom is by far the best so far. I switch between White Sumantra and Green Maeng Da and PurKratom has the best product out there in my opinion.
It was good. Flavor was nice. I've ordered from 3 other vendors and this ranked at the top.
Good stuff
Great product and great quality. I cannot say enough good things about this company. I'm so glad I found them. Purkratom is now my one and only vendor. The Green Maeng Da was all it should be and the best quality I've ever had. I paid for 2 day shipping and got it in 3 but that was the fault of the post office. They threw my package on the wrong truck. However Purkratom was happy to refund my shipping cost without me even having to ask. They definitely go the extra mile for their customers. My only complaint is that they aren't able to keep the 1kg size in stock. I would definitely give these guys a try. You won't be disappointed!
Great quality product with excellent effects.
My only complaint was the quality of the bags. Once opened the zip lock style re-closable seal was impossible to close, I ended up having to use a different container for both bags I ordered. Not a huge deal but something that could be fixed.
Purkratom's Green Maeng Da is my favorite. I suffer from acute back pain and fatigue. I have found that the green maeng da gives me pain relief, plus helps my energy level. It's much needed in the morning , helps to get me up and going. It's a 5 star on price when Kg packets are in stock. A 3 star when I have to buy by the 1/2 lb instead. I've tried ordering from a few other vendors and feel Purkratom has the best in Quality by far.
Again this was the first time I,tried kratom, and found this was an energetic compliment to the Bali. I enjoyed both, but will be trying different strains as well!
Best maeng da I've found at any supplier.
The best maeng da I've found at any supplier.
I tried kratom years ago & kind of forgot about it. Until I started researching to take something for pain & energy. I recieved package on Friday & was gone by Sunday because ot didnt do a thing for me. I was afraid of taking too much & getting sick as Ive read. I ordered more (a different strain) crossing fingers this strain works as the reviews are excellent!
The best strain
Great Product
Good strain for increasing focus.
Gave me a lot of energy took 2 grams was energized the whole night it boosted my mood very little sedation great product
I am a happy kratom user. I like the quality and the price isn't to bad. An all around great product.
My absolute favorite. Great energy without jitters later. Perfect strain.
Great Product
PurKratom's Green Maeng Da Powder never fails me! Every order so far has been consistent!
Great quality product. Its mentioned this is one of their best strains in terms of quality and it functions as such. Lately my delivers have been delayed but its worth the wait.
I am new to Kratom, and I am still trying the find what strain will work best for me. I have no complaints with the Green MD powder. Definitely felt my mood improve with about a half teaspoon. Would have like a little more of an energy boost though.
Great place to order. Received my package quick and great quality.
I was really happy with the amount I received for the price. My last vendor closed and I needed to find a new one with priority shipping. I'm a little disappointed at the price for priority. The green leaf maeng da was a little different than what I am used to. I'm happy with it though. I will definitely order from pur again.
I really enjoyed this kratom. It helped me feel calmer and less depressed but I was also able to remain alert. I recommend!
Product cleanly packaged. I used a capsule machine and this powder form worked great.
Outstanding product, excellent service.
I just got into kratom and my experience has been that the vendor definitely matters. My order arrived promptly and the product was great. It gives you that clean, relaxed feeling of well being but you can also focus. Higher dose will give you nice night's sleep. Will definitely order from Purkratom again.
I have tried kratom products before from other companies, but I love the PurKratom product & will continue to order from here from now on.
Absolutely a very smooth product... this product makes my days must easier.
While it's not a bad product, I find red vein to be more potent for me. That just may be due to individual effect. Still a great product and fast shipping.
Amazing consistent quality. Best customer service. Purkratom is the only company I use now. I just bought a whole kilo after trying them 2x first with smaller orders.
Amazing consistent quality. Best customer service. Purkratom is the only company I use now. I just bought a whole kilo after trying them 2x first with smaller orders.
Great product. Works great for withdrawal symptoms.
Good quality, and reliable service, and prices are reasonable.
Just started using Green Maenge Da Kratom Powder and feeling great!
Great Product
Works best for me
First time using the product. From a motivation standpoint I would say this product gives me a boost of productivity whether it be working out, reading or studying and doing school in general. From a mood standpoint it also gives a much needed boost. Pain management wise( I have recently undergone a very invasive surgery) it allows me to be virtually pain free. Mind you this is the only strain I have used.
First time using the product. From a motivation standpoint I would say this product gives me a boost of productivity whether it be working out, reading or studying and doing school in general. From a mood standpoint it also gives a much needed boost. Pain management wise( I have recently undergone a very invasive surgery) it allows me to be virtually pain free. Mind you this is the only strain I have used.
Lots of Energy and helps with anxiety and depression
This powder was far more better than the other brand I was using.
I am very pleased with the quality.
Already placed another order for more!
Green is definitely the middle man. It comes on slow (for me) and lingers with no left over odd feelings. Just puts me at east throughout the day.
Can't say enough about PurKratom
I could not believe the relief I found in this product. I have neuropathy severely in my feet my calves my hands and my forearms. I would highly recommend this strain. Though sometimes inconsistent. ( have to either mix it up or take it from the bottom. Taking it from the top is nothing). I tried 2,( red and green) different strains and they did nothing. But this was absolutely wonderful. I have not had relief in years. I'm 61 so I've been in this condition for a while. Thank you thank you thank you again. I would give it 5 Stars if it was consistent. It was only a few times in the past week.
I'm usually more into the sedating strains but the green maeng da is still excellent.
Excellent product, outstanding service.
Didn't do very much, except to feel "off". I tried different dosages but don't see the therapeutic value. YMMV
Hello Ron, sorry this strain did not suit your needs. It appears as you are new to kratom and in its learning stages. Perhaps green may not work as good as white or red strains. Contact our support department for a complimentary strain of choice. Thank you!
Whitewater took 4 days to get here but that was because of the holiday I understand I like the product it's very good for my pain it doesn't keep me up at night either the price is good the service is great I'm going to buy it again thank you I now can handle the pain I hope the government doesn't shut this down it's a very good source for people who don't want to take meds
Shipping was slow took 9 days to get to me but that was due to usps delay. I will buy again if you will sell 8.8 oz for 32 dollars
Excellent product, outstanding service.
Works for me. Great package.
I recently purchased kratom for the first time the GMD and am honestly suprised at how great it is it's made me a believer I would recommend this product to everyone. Very pleased with it
Hello Friends, I started off with 0.5~to~1 tsp of your Maeng Da, & found it to be subtle, calming, smooth. After a few days, decided to increase to 1.5 tsps, & immediately found calming affects to deepen, smooth energy & focus. Also, at the 1.5 tsp dose, I experienced a really welcomed "flexibility" (I'm 72 and have noticed over the past 10 yrs that my hips & back have been losing their flexibility); the Maeng Da is at minimum showing its analgesic quality, and perhaps can also be anti-inflammatory for both my muscles & joints, as well as dramatically reducing the aches that I've been used to over the last decade (wild!). ~~My doctor told me that my inflexibility and pains has been due to inflamation.
The Green Maeng DA Kratom powder really works well for me! I'm often fatigued and achy during the day, but a 1/4 teaspoon before work gives me energy without making me jittery or anxious, and makes aches and pains seem less noticeable.
I find that it helps my mood as well - I have a more positive attitude and a feeling of well-being when using this product. WILL ORDER AGAIN!!!
Best Strain for Energy
Although this strand is not as powerful as the white, it still provides some of the same benefits. It is also good they say to switch up strands. I use it midday so that I still get energy yet it's not as strong so I can relax later on in the day.
The only real complaint that I have is that the shipping address I provided wasn't what was on the package itself so the postal services couldn't deliver the package. What was supposed to take 3-5 days to get ended up taking a week.
Admin Edit: Hello Cody, we sincerely apologize to hear this has occurred. We have encountered usps delays these past couple of weeks. We will gladly make it up on your next order with free priority. Please contact our support department to accommodate. Thank you!
Product was decent quality but not at all what I expected from a green vein. Would purchase from this supplier again but will try something else next time.
Admin Edit: Hello Cody, contact our support department. We will gladly accommodate something else at no cost. Thank you!
Was really good gave me the energy I needed plus pain relief! Will definitely be getting more!
Maeng da is a great working strain for me. It gives me a little added ambition about enduring the physical work I do daily. It's also helps with my joint pain. I recommend you try this as you're early day strain or any time you need a boost.
Lots of Energy
The best around
First time using this product and I give it 5 stars. I bought it to see if it helps with my ache joints and back pain. It helped out a lot. I work 2 jobs, both are very physical and the Kratom gets me through the day. I will continue to buy and try the other products
I really like the green maeng da kratom powder! It really calmed my nerves! I've been looking for an herbal supplement that will help lower my stress levels and found it! Prices are great and free shipping is a bonus!
Quality you can really see. It works well and seems smoother than other strains I've tried.
I would recommend highly.
I'm impressed with the quality and speed of delivery with purkratom
I love this Kratom best I've ever tried
Best Kratom I have tried and I've tried several brands
Their Green Strain is the best I've had. The quality and prices are the best.
Very Satisfied with this strain. Lots of energy and no trouble sleeping. The prices are the best.
Best Strain to Improve Mood.
I have tried numerous brands of Kratom and I must say this one by far is the best most potent one I have tried.
The best green vein I have had like green Malays more potent cousin price better then most were you would pay up to $25 in a shop you pay almost 50℅ less the quality and potency is higher about twice as strong highly recommended.
Purchased purkratom after reading how well it works for pain. I have had chronic back pain and have taken pain pills for over 10 years. The green maeng da helped for pain some what, but was also a huge help with my energy levels.
Using kratom has helped my husband and I stop taking the pain pills we have been taking for years. The green maeng da gives me energy plus helps with my back pain. No longer need opiods due to finding out about kratom
Professionally packaged,great tasting,good quality!
Maengda green is great for mood enhancement, energy, and pain. It is an all around positive experience, without the jittery feeling you get from unnatural diet medicines, ect. I use it for pain management/ positive mood. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or other this would be great to use. Symptoms of anxiety went away after using this. I feel great!
I did not expect to like Kratom in powder form. But, I am glad I tried it. It is effective and offered at a good price.
This is the first time I have bought anything from purkratom. There maeng da is the best I've tried so far. They have one over my business. My anixey improved and I was up with no crankiness or body aches. Quick shipping!
I like this, but I like white Maeng Da better. It's still good though.
As advertised
Good value
Red makes me sleepy. White make me jumpy. Green is the perfect balance. I can relax and still get shit done. Purkratom sells quality. It's a legit site. Plus free shipping. Sweet
I have tried many different vendors and purkratom has been the best. I will continue to be a repeat offender of theirs and I will no longer search for a different brand. Purkratom should be winning awards for their excellent customer service and outstanding product!
Definitely changed my outlook on life for the day. Being bipolar you never know how you will be "depressed or manic" or somewhere in between . But kratom is very good at leveling out your moods and anxieties. I've been a purkratom customer since my 1st order. I know I'll get what I order and I know it's going to be the same high quality product!
I use kratom as a way to cope with withdrawls after years of prescription drug addiction. This strain allows me to use very little and still get rid of the unbearable side effects to continue my recovery
A great product and one of my first choices! Good quality at a decent price
Good quality and i higly recommend
Green Maeng Da Kratom is my go-to whenever my pain reaches levels at which I used to take prescription Norco (Hydrocodone). Maeng Da is better because it's the strongest strain I can buy & it not only relieves the pain, but it also helps calm the nerves and does not constipate nearly as much as the Norco did. Love the professional safety packaging & will definitely buy from you again because your product is potent & has worked wonders for my pain!
Wonderful results for chronic pain as well as opiod withdrawal
Good product.
Not energy from it for me. Seems to be more of a downer. Should have tried the white vein instead since I can't drink coffee anymore. The green just not for me. Thought it woukd be the perfect balance, but just didn't.
Hands down the best value I have found anywhere, and the quality is second to none. The free shipping is just another added perk. Purkratom is by far the best place to buy all strands. I love Green Maeng Da for its energy boost and relaxing affects at higher dosages. Wouldn't go anywhere else for it!
Very fresh being a new product . I'm not usually a big fan of green veins in general because they usually make my eyes wobble but this was just so clean and being a native of South Florida the packages get here in 1 day . This might become a regular in my rotation that usually consists of only whites or reds .
Great product. Fast and concise shipping and billing. Would recomend to other folks.
Best green maeng da I've tried, I've ordered this on here twice now and am satisfied with the results Everytime.
So the green maeng da is the first kratom I ever purchased from purkratom months ago. I reviewed it back then, my thoughts are the same. Great product great price.
Great!!! No issues with quality. Delivery is prompt as well. This is my "go-to".
This is one of my favorites. It helps my anxiety and pain.
I have bought Green Maeng Da Kratom from different vendors. Purkratom has good stuff and it's cheaper then the other places I have bought from. I will continue to buy from Purkratom. Thank you
This type of kratom has always been my favorite. This is some of the best quality kratom. I love how much it helps me with my pain.
So I was sceptical of kratom but after a day of reading reviews and youtubing I decided to give it a try and choose to go with green maeng da powder and have now bought capsules and they both work great, perfect for giving me energy to take on house chores but also a calming feeling when I do want to relax, a bit euphoric but in a relaxing way and does help with back pain and anxiety, I noticed I can be more out going and conversational. Love it this goes with my body perfectly!
Quality product, quick delivery, great customer service!
Great quality!!
Thanks for the prompt service :)
Great quality and fast shipping very happy with my order will order again
Good Strain but i needed more than what I usually take with Premium Bali. For beginners though a good strain to purchase.
This is the best quality of Kratom I have ever purchased. I first purchased the capsules and then the powder, which goes a long way. I will be buying more.
The product is quality, the shipping is quick and the support team at purkratom is helpful and attentive to any concerns I have had! Thank you!
This has helped me
So much
Love the energy and pain relief it provides.
This is top-quality Maeng Da kratom, it is uplifting without making one jittery or excitable like coffee or stimulants might. If it were a wee bit cheaper, I'd be thrilled with it, but the price is definately worth it, considering the low cost of shipping and the speed of shipping. I will be buying this again.
Quality product and fast shipping
Like other reviews, this is a quality product and packaging was impressive. This was the first time I tried Kratom and I'm excited about all the benefits...They are real.
Great product great customer service great prices. Could not ask for a better vendor. Fast shipping. Will be my go-to vendor from now on.
First time using capsules and I was nervous that it wouldn't be as potent as powder. Wow. I was pleasantly surprised. Gave me energy, anxiety relief and a great mood boost. Will be ordering more from purkratom!
This is the 2nd vendor I have used and I just ordered my 2nd item. The product is quality and I couldn't believe that the shipping was not only free but so fast. I just ordered on Thursday and on a holiday weekend it was at my door on Saturday. Very impressed. Will be ordering more from this company!
© PurKratom.com . All Rights Reserved.


text:
1600 Burkemont Avenue
Directions Morganton, NC 28655
At Morganton Honda in Morganton, NC, our team is ready to help you through the entire car-buying process. Every step of the journey, from finding a new Honda model to servicing your vehicle can be done right here, allowing our experts to work with you, helping simplify everything that has to do with your vehicle. We pride ourselves on putting the customer first, making sure that you have the best experience whenever you need anything done for your vehicle.
There are many benefits that you can take advantage of when you shop with us, including:
Offering all of this to you is just one way that we can show you that we truly care about you and your vehicle. We want to make sure that nothing stands between you and the demands that come with like. Our team is ready to greet you at our doors and get you started looking for a vehicle that will simplify your daily activities.
Our goal is to make sure you experience the least amount of stress with everything automotive related. We have a no-pressure buying-experience, and want to express a no-pressure feeling when it comes to needing anything for your vehicle. Many of our customers come from areas around Hickory, Lenoir, Marion, and Granite Falls NC, and we want you to come and visit our dealership so that we can work through anything that will keep you in a vehicle that performs the best that it can.
*Price Protection Guarantee after vehicle purchase
Morganton Honda
1600 Burkemont Avenue
Directions Morganton, NC 28655

subset: commoncrawl


text:
On September 30, 2010, The-Daily-Record.com reported in "Mediation program successful in keeping families in homes" that mediation found success with homeowners by reinstating loans at lower interest rates over longer terms, with little emphasis on winning or losing.
Center for American Progress reported in "Idea of the Day: Foreclosure Mediation Programs Are Necessary" on October 26, 2010, that "…jurisdictions and the federal government should implement foreclosure mediation programs so that responsible homeowners and their lenders or mortgage servicers have at least one chance prior to foreclosure to review the documentation and ensure the foreclosure is both legal and appropriate". This idea might be a positive for debtors filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York who want to renegotiate their mortgage payments during the housing market uncertainty. After the robosigning and notarization ills, banks such as Bank of America Corp. and Ally Financial Inc., two of our nation's largest home mortgage lenders, announced resuming active foreclosures.
For New York individuals, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be the problem solver for people who are behind on their mortgage payments. Chapter 13 is for someone who wants to consolidate mortgage arrearages into a repayment plan. During the automatic stay in a bankruptcy, a debtor can negotiate with the lender when coming up with a repayment plan. Home mortgage mediation may be the tool for the parties to (1) negotiate a sustainable loan modification for the debtor and nets the mortgage servicing company more value than from foreclosing on the home, or (2) discuss the foreclosure process for borrowers who default on their mortgage payments even if modifications were made.
Home mortgage foreclosure mediation involves borrowers, lenders, and mortgage services companies coming together to resolve foreclosures. Mortgage services companies represent investors in mortgages bundled into mortgage-backed securities and sold worldwide.
The foreclosure ills played out in the press in late 2010 brought renewed claims that banks' use of the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, instead of recording mortgages with local counties where land was situated hurt their ability to establish they owned the loans on which they were foreclosing. As a result, mortgage-backed securities investors were sold mortgages the banks may have to purchase back because investments did not meet standards set for the securities. The foreclosure crisis not only put borrowers into bankruptcy, but investors into financial hardship.
Even bank foreclosures resuming, challenges from borrowers overload New York state and bankruptcy courts with expensive, time-consuming foreclosure lawsuits. Foreclosure mediation may speed claims, save money from not having to carry declining property, reduce housing vacancies, and stabilize government income from property tax.


text:
Boreal Beauty fruits are oval or heart-shaped. Berries are thick, firm and meaty. Plant structure and berry characteristics make them ideally suited for mechanical harvesting. The spoon in this photo is 3.5 cm wide. Its berries are almost as heavy as 'Boreal Blizzard' berries although they are only 2/3rds as long. But they are considerably thicker.
BOREAL BEAUTY Haskap Plugs are licensed for shipment to CANADA and UNITED STATES
Haskap Central Sales Ltd.
Telephone: (306) 960-9900


text:
Posts Tagged Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'
Hurtling into spring
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, Greenhouse growing, piedmont gardening, Vegetable Gardening on February 16, 2017
I know the folks in the Northeast are cold, snow-plagued, and miserable. I know the folks in the Pacific Northwest who prayed for rain for most of a decade are desperately looking for the emergency shut-off valve to Heaven. And I'm sorry for your troubles, truly I am, which is why I feel a tad guilty complaining about the temperatures dominating the southeastern Piedmont region of the US.
Sure, it got down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit at my house this morning. I had to remove ice from the bird baths. But according to the forecasts, I probably won't need to do that again for at least ten days. And the way things are going, maybe not until next November. My neck of the woods is hurtling full-tilt-willy-nilly into spring.
We've already zoomed through crocus season, the snowdrops opened yesterday and will likely be done in a few days. I planted a variety of daffodils that are supposed to provide me with an extended seasonal bloom period, but I'm starting to think that may not happen this year.
I started seeds of greens for my spring garden during the first few days of February; at the time, I wondered if I was overeager. Now I'm exhorting the seedlings to grow faster, fearing that if I don't get them transplanted into their garden bed soon, summer temperatures arriving by early April will melt them before we've harvested more than a salad's worth. This. Is. Not. Good.
I posted the above shot to my Facebook page the other day, and someone there asked me to list the varieties I'm growing, because she couldn't read the scrawls on the labels in the photo. So for her — and anyone else who might be interested — here are the spring salad varieties growing in my greenhouse right now.
- Coastal Star — This is my go-to green romaine lettuce. It stands up to the early heat that hits my area in late April/early May. This is the third year I'm growing it.
- Outredgeous — I grew this red romaine for the first time last season, and we loved it. It faded in the heat a little faster, but it stayed alive and productive this whole past winter for me beneath a row cover. I love this lettuce.
- Cherokee — This is a red summer crisp lettuce that I'm trying for the first time, because Johnny's Selected Seeds (the source of most of my veggie seeds) says it is more heat-tolerant (i.e., bolt-resistant) than most.
- Ovation Greens Mix — I've grown this mix several years now. I get a nice assortment of fast-germinating speciality greens that give a nice tang or slightly bitter note to sweeter lettuces. They bolt very quickly in my heat. I direct-sow a few more when I transplant the starts in my greenhouse; sometimes that pays off, sometimes it doesn't.
- Seaside Spinach — This is a new smooth-leaf variety I'm trying this year, because it is touted as being bolt-resistant. I often have trouble persuading spinach to germinate for me in the greenhouse, but this variety is popping up and growing with enthusiasm — a promising start.
- Rosaine — I grew this red bibb lettuce for the first time last year. It produces really lovely thick, buttery leaves. It is supposed to be bolt-resistant, but did not impress me last season. However, like Outredgeous, it produced all winter for me under a row cover. I'm thinking red lettuces may be more cold-tolerant.
- Corvair Spinach — If Seaside remains as enthusiastic as it is starting, I won't be growing Corvair again. This smooth-leaf variety is a downright temperamental germinator for me — and most everything germinates for me, so this is unusual. The plants that do show up, grow well enough, but I would rather grow a spinach that I can always count on.
- Sparx — This is a new green romaine I decided to try, because it is supposed to be heat-tolerant and high-yielding. It is back-ordered until March 1. At the time I ordered, I figured this would not be a deal-breaker, timing-wise. The crazy weather may preclude a proper test of this variety, but I'll give it a try when it shows up.
That's it for the greens. Believe it or not, I really tried to keep down the number of varieties I'm trying this year. I also tried to contain myself when it came to tomato varieties, but I compensated with a new pepper variety, and an eggplant that intrigued me. Seed catalogs in deep winter are very, very hard to resist.
The absurd warmth caused my flowering apricots to zip through their bloom cycles much more quickly than usual. Only Peggy Clarke Senior is still perfuming the air, albeit faintly, with the magical cinnamon-sweet scent of her rosy blooms.
Our Magnolia stellata 'Royal Stars' has opened flowers at the top of the tree. The forecasted heat this weekend will no doubt cause most of the rest to explode into bloom.
Both of my Cornelian cherries (Cornus mas) are in full bloom. I'm hoping the warmth will encourage pollinators to cross-pollinate them to produce fruits this year.
This member of the dogwood family doesn't naturally occur in North America, but it doesn't seem to be invasive, so I decided to give it a try. If I start seeing seedlings popping up, I will yank it out pronto.
My patch of Golden Ragwort grows larger every year. It does a great job of reducing erosion, and when it blooms, its bright yellow flowers make the ground glow.
The weekend is supposed to reach high temperatures in the mid-70s here, so Wonder Spouse and I will be outside preparing spring vegetable beds and hauling fallen branches knocked down by winter storm winds. I anticipate plenty of sore muscles and creaky joints. But it's all worth it when we sit down to the first salad of the season.
I'll leave you with one last photo. I posted this to my Facebook page, but I wanted to share it here for my non-Facebook followers. On February 10, we enjoyed a penumbral lunar eclipse. Just the left edge of the full moon in the photo below was obscured by the sun's shadow, but it was discernible. The Amazing Wonder Spouse set up his tripod and took this shot. Enjoy!
Late Winter Pluses and Minuses
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, Greenhouse growing, Native Wildlife, piedmont gardening, Vegetable Gardening on February 22, 2016
It's been too long since I posted here. My apologies. Late winter in my corner of North Carolina has been a mostly soggy mess. And as I type this, yet more rain is pouring down upon my mushy landscape. I have been posting small items regularly on the Piedmont Gardener Facebook page; if you use that social media tool, you may want to check out the photos and announcements of relevant events that I post there.
As I've noted on the PG Facebook page, beavers have once again moved into the wetland adjacent to my creek. They have built a dam downstream and off my property, which has raised the water level in the creek so that every rain event involving more than a half-inch is causing the creek to overflow in numerous places along my property, even cutting channels into what has been a stable, flat floodplain for over 25 years. It's a real mess, and we're not sure what, if anything, we can do about it.
The beavers are actively foraging all up and down the creek. In addition to harvesting a few saplings, they even "tasted" two of the Leyland Cypresses still standing beside the creek. To discourage them from returning, I sprayed the entire lower trunks of all the Leylands with a deer repellant spray in the hopes that it would make them taste bad enough for the beavers to ignore. So far <knock wood>, it's working, but all this rain probably means I need to reapply the repellant.
But not all my landscape surprises are less than wonderful. Case in point: a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers appear to have chosen a sycamore just across the creek to raise this year's brood. Until the forest leafs out, I can see this spot from my living room window and back deck. That's a good thing, because when I try to walk near this tree, the woodpeckers make it clear that I am not the least bit welcome.
Another pair of late-winter nesters has settled in, as usual, in the wetland forest — Red-shouldered Hawks. They often lurk in the trees near our backyard bird feeders, but I haven't seen them catch any songbirds. Frogs, salamanders, and earthworms, on the other hand, seem to be dietary staples. Wonder Spouse took that spectacular hawk photo two days ago when it decided to hunt from a tree in our backyard. He actually took the shot from inside our house. He is a wizard with his camera — and his post-processing software.
When we've gotten a few back-to-back days of sunshine, we've been hard at work preparing the vegetable garden for another season. All my seeds have arrived, and last Wednesday (2-16), I sowed my first batch of greens in my germination chamber. The ones in the above photo germinated in two days! I'll enumerate the spring garden veggie varieties I'm trying in a new post soon. All the lettuces germinated instantly, along with baby kale and radicchio. The spinaches and parsley are only just now showing signs of germinating, which is entirely normal. When they are all well up and moved out of the germination chamber, I'll sow another batch of spring veggies.
The two varieties of onion plants I ordered arrived mid-week, and I managed to get them all planted in their garden bed yesterday. I know they don't look like much now, but if the voles will leave them alone, we have big hopes for these.
It's always amazing how these stubby little onion starts that arrive with shriveled roots plump up in just a few weeks. I was delighted to get them planted the same week they arrived. Usually I'm not this organized and they wait a week or more. I'm hoping my efficiency will pay off in bigger bulbs. Stay tuned.
We've had a few bouts of deep cold and some ice — mostly freezing rain — which damaged my Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' flowers. They opened too early, thanks to the absurdly warm December we had here. Fortunately, not all the buds opened before the cold, so I'm able to enjoy a round of new blooms during our current milder spell of weather.
In addition to the witch hazel 'Amethyst' blooming well in the first photo of this post, my Cornus mas 'Spring Glow' trees are bursting with bright golden flowers. I'm hoping they will cross-pollinate each other this year and produce some of the red berries that give them their common name: Cornelian Cherry. I was thus heartened to see a pollinator on these flowers yesterday.
Of course, spring bulbs are well up. My crocuses were eaten by deer before I remembered to spray them with repellent. Snow drops and myriad daffodils are all loaded with buds and will soon be glowing in the landscape as it wakens from its winter slumber. Meanwhile, the lushest, greenest parts of my yard are the lichens, soft and fluffy from abundant rains.
Fast forwarding into Spring
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, Greenhouse growing, Native Wildlife, piedmont gardening on February 24, 2014
OK, there's still a pile of snow in my back yard. Really. It was a huge pile from cleaning our back deck, and it's still not quite gone. But don't tell that to the Spring Peepers or the Red-shouldered Hawks nesting on the floodplain, or the Red Maples throughout my yard. They all seem to be persuaded that Spring has arrived. It hasn't, of course — not quite yet. But it seems as if the plants and animals in my yard have been biding their time, waiting for the frigid air to exit so they could explode into Spring Mode.
Most of the early-flowering plants had impressed me with their patience, not showing a hint of bud break as the arctic air ruled my region. The flowering apricots were hit pretty hard, of course. Many just-opening buds were browned by freezing temperatures. But the unopened ones still tightly shut have now opened with enthusiasm. The air around my front yard is fragrant with their perfume. I am delighted, and so are the honeybees finally making their appearance during recent warm afternoons.
The Cornus mas trees burst into spectacular bloom, yellow spotlights in a mostly brown landscape.
The Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' had been exhibiting unprecedented patience with the weather, but recent 70-degree days have caused its flowers to begin opening.
The snow drops survived being buried by six inches of snow and ice and are in full bloom.
And the Witch Hazel 'Amethyst' is scenting the breezes with the fragrance of gorgeous purple flowers.
The warmer temperatures have all the early-nesting birds displaying territorial behavior as they pair off and claim nesting sites. Woodpecker drumming punctuates the air from dawn to dusk.
And the salamanders somehow managed to complete their late winter mating activities despite the cold and ice, as evidenced by this glob of eggs in our tiny pond.
Of course, my gardening fingers got itchy the minute the weather warmed and the frogs began chorusing 24/7. I got out the seeds that I'd ordered and contemplated my strategy.
Because I can't expect the spring-like temperatures to last just yet (They're on their way out as I type this), I can only start as many containers as will fit at one time in the germination chamber in my greenhouse. I settled on starting a few of all of the greens I'm trying this year (4 lettuces, 2 spinaches, and an arugula) plus the four flower varieties that require the greatest amount of time to reach blooming size. I sowed the seeds last Thursday, and here's what they looked like this morning:
The nonpelleted lettuce seeds are well up. The coated lettuce seeds are still meditating on the merits of germination. One Tyee spinach has emerged; spinach is always slower than lettuce. All the arugulas are up and growing. And the dahlia seeds I sowed have begun to emerge — the first of the flowers, and a bit of an early surprise.
Now that I've got seeds going, it was time during our first warm weekend in forever to return to the vegetable garden and begin to prepare the early spring garden beds. I've got one weeded and ready to go for the greens. I'll do more as weather and my aging joints permit.
Greeting me with enthusiasm were the chives I grew from seed two years ago. I was a bit worried that our prolonged freezing winter temperatures might have killed them. I worried for naught. These beautiful, delicious herbs are well on their way to growing tall enough to once again season salads, eggs, and whatever else can use a light taste of oniony goodness.
This week's return to winter temperatures will be harder on me than the plants and animals, I imagine. It felt so wonderful to be back in the dirt, pulling weeds, cleaning up old flower stalks, discovering sudden flowers tucked into various parts of the yard.
On the other hand, my creaky joints could use a day or two — OK, maybe three or four — to recover from my pent-up gardening enthusiasm. Perhaps I'll even feel a bit nostalgic toward this latest round of wintry temperatures. Because now I'm sure — Spring really is almost here!
Magnolia Mania
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, piedmont gardening on June 6, 2013
I am a self-confessed obsessive gardener, meaning that I remain perpetually transfixed by the infinite beauty and variety of the botanical world. But beyond my general obsession, certain species of plants are special objects of my devotion. One plant family in that category: Magnolia.
Seriously, what's not to adore? The trees are statuesque in their own right, and their flowers — oh, my goodness, the flowers. Plus, if you have room in your yard, as I do on my five-acre patch of Piedmont, you can plant an array of magnolias that will bloom from late winter right through early summer. Magnolia mania indeed!
In my yard, the show starts with Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star.' The sweetly fragrant, strappy, white-petaled flowers on this specimen cover my 25-foot-tall tree in hundreds of blossoms. This one is a gamble in my climate, because of the hazard of late freezes. Most years, my Royal Star blooms are glowing in the barren late-winter landscape until a hard freeze turns them a sad brown. Sometimes, closed buds (so fuzzy I sometimes pet them as I would a feline friend) survive the chill to produce more white flowers amid the browned early victims. This year, however, was different. Somehow this year we had below-normal temperatures without sudden plunges into the deep freeze. My Royal Star Magnolia bloomed unblemished for six weeks — a record.
While Royal Star was still blooming, Magnolia acuminata 'Butterflies' opened its canary-yellow blossoms. My specimen tree is now at least 25 feet tall, maybe 30. This year, a warm spell caused the flowers almost simultaneously to open from the top of the tree to the bottom. The effect was staggeringly exquisite, not to mention almost overpoweringly fragrant, but short-lived. The flowers of Butterflies need a bit of chill in the air to keep them happy. Sudden warmth caused the petals to brown and fall a mere two days after the flowers had opened.
A week after Butterflies had come and gone, Magnolia acuminata 'Elizabeth' copied Butterflies' performance. Two days of top-to-bottom pale yellow, sweet flowers (on a 50-foot tree) were followed by brown petals carpeting the ground beneath it. But those two days of peak bloom were spectacular. My long-time arborist happened to stop by that day for a tour of the yard. He and his companion pulled five feet in the driveway and stopped cold, their mouths agape, as they absorbed Elizabeth's magnificence. They stayed there so long, I walked down to meet them, breaking their enthrallment with this captivating specimen.
You'll find photos of the above beauties at the links provided. M. stellata is not native to North America, but M. acuminata is. Horticulturalists have long recognized the potential of M. acuminata, resulting in zillions of lovely cultivars. They are the mere beginning of the procession of magnolia loveliness in my yard.
I confessed a fondness (okay, obsession is probably a better word) with the native big-leaved magnolias when I told you about the single flower on our Bigleaf Magnolia last year here. But I grow three other native big-leaved species, and one of those bloomed for the first time this year.
Magnolia fraseri (Fraser Magnolia) occurs naturally in the mountains of North Carolina, its range extending a smidge into South Carolina, and further into states adjacent to NC to the north. In the wild, it can grow to 60 feet. I sited my specimen on the north side of my yard inside the deer fence beneath the shade of towering loblolly pines about 75 years old. My goal was to keep the tree cool during our hot summers. The tree put on quite a growth spurt last year, shooting up several feet. This spring, it produced seven flowers at the ends of its upper branches over the space of about three weeks. The flowers were sweetly fragrant, but they were too high up for me to photograph well. Here's a long-range shot that at least gives you a side view:
Wonder Spouse broke out his big ladder to take some photos from above the flower, but I don't think he ever sent me the results. I can at least show you the artist at work, about 8 feet off the ground:
That's the top of a gate in our deer fencing at the bottom left. The deer fence is 8 feet tall.
About the time the Fraser Magnolia was blooming, I realized I had neglected to check on our specimen of the only big-leaved magnolia native to the eastern Piedmont: Magnolia tripetala, or Umbrella Magnolia. I rescued this tree from a friend's family farm just before they sold it. I sited it right next to our creek on a high bank, where it gets plenty of moisture and protection from summer heat by a tall canopy of mature sycamores, birches, tulip poplars, sweet gums, red maples, etc. About fifteen years ago, it was eaten by beavers, but the base re-sprouted, and now the tree is about 25 feet. We surrounded the base with chicken wire to prevent damage from future beaver incursions (if you have water, they will always find you, eventually).
Umbrella Magnolia is so-called, because the large leaves are arranged in a circular fan-like display that absolutely looks like a leafy umbrella. And those giant leaves do a fine job of keeping one dry during light showers. As I feared, I had missed much of the flower display, but a few blossoms were just fading from white to parchment yellow. As with the Fraser Magnolia, the flowers were quite high up, so my photograph is from a fair distance away:
As the Fraser and Umbrella Magnolias were finishing their blooming cycles, my Ashe Magnolia began its show. This big-leaved beauty astonishes me every year. Last year, a late freeze killed the entire top of the tree. It was just putting out its tender first growth of the season, and the cold brutalized it. I shouldn't have worried, though. This resilient smaller member of the big-leaved clan simply sprouted from its base. Magnolia ashei is known for its shrubbier form, and mine is true to that description. It's also known for its prolific bloom production, which starts when the tree is quite young. Here's a shot far enough back to give you an idea of the form of my shrubby, lop-sided Ashe Magnolia:
If you have a more typical Piedmont yard, most of the big-leaved Magnolia clan might be too large for the scale of your landscape. But if you have a moist, shady spot and you're willing to trade a floppy form for spectacular flowers and leaves, Ashe Magnolia is probably your best bet.
If you go to the link I provided for this species, you'll see better photos of the flowers, but here's one I took of this year's final flower:
The flowers of Umbrella Magnolia are supposed to smell a bit odd to many noses. Mine are so high up that I've never noticed much fragrance. However, the Ashe, Fraser, and Bigleaf Magnolias all produce potently sweet perfumes, not unlike the more familiar fragrance of the better-known Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, pictured at the top of this post. My Southern Magnolia is only just beginning her bloom period. She'll likely perfume my front garden through early July.
I can't close this lengthy post without showing you what the Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) produced for us this year — a least a dozen, maybe more, flowers! It's gotten so tall that it's hard to see what's going on up there.
Wonder Spouse was so excited that he got back on the big ladder to document the occasion:
Aerial shots really are best for showing off the flowers:
Here's a closer view:
That's his quarter in there again for scale. Here's what the flower buds look like before they open:
And because a wind gust had pulled off a leaf, Wonder Spouse used his quarter to give you a sense of the size of individual leaves of Bigleaf Magnolia:
This post grows lengthy, so I'll stop for now. But I should admit for the record that I can think of at least three more magnolia specimens in my yard that I haven't told you about yet — one more native, and two choice Asian cultivars that still haven't bloomed for me yet. More magnolia mania to look forward to!
Open for business
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, Greenhouse growing, Native Wildlife, piedmont gardening, Vegetable Gardening on April 10, 2013
As predicted, the warm temperatures arrived. Then they went directly to summer-hot temperatures. This week, we are in the 80s, which is too hot, considering that the canopy trees were mostly not even blooming yet. Forget about leaves. No shade. At all. Hot, hot, hot!
Now, of course, everything is exploding simultaneously. Pollen clouds haze the air, tree buds swell visibly, and the critters have all moved into full-out courtship mode. Toads trill from twilight to dawn. Bird song sweetens the air, along with the perfume of deciduous magnolias. Grass needs mowing. Ticks and mosquitoes lurk everywhere, hungry for blood. Ah, springtime in the southeastern piedmont.
I have managed to take a few pictures, but the plants and critters are moving so fast now that I'm having trouble keeping up. The vegetable garden, of course, has taken priority. My beautiful bed of greens that had been huddled under a garden cloth tent for warmth were suddenly too warm in there. But the sun is now too strong for them. Wonder Spouse devised a clever fix. He cut the fabric tent and shaped it into a canopy that protects the lettuces, spinaches, and Asian greens from direct noon-day sun, but allows them access to more gentle angled light and better access to passing rains.
Here's what the bed looked like last Friday:
Here's a closer view, so you can more easily see the plants:
Now the greens are large enough for single-leaf harvesting. Instead of waiting for greens to fill out as heads, I harvest individual leaves as they attain salad size. I'll be picking greens for our first home-grown salad tomorrow morning as the sun comes up. Veggies and herbs are at their harvestable best first thing in the morning before the sun has begun to melt them. I can just about taste those tender sweet greens now…
Meanwhile in the greenhouse, the summer veggies, flowers, and herbs are well germinated and growing strongly. The tomatoes and peppers will need to graduate to larger pots in the next few days. The basils and flowers will take a little longer.
Since my last update, I have also direct-sowed into the garden beds several varieties of carrots and two of beets. I haven't seen any signs of them yet, but it's only just now been about a week. I'm hoping that this current bout of summer-like heat will not prevent these cool-weather veggies from germinating well. After this Friday, our temperatures are predicted to return to normal, so I'm hoping the spring garden can hang on until the cooler spring temperatures return. Spring vegetable gardening is always a gamble here. The summer garden is easier. You can almost always count on the weather turning hot enough for tomatoes and peppers to thrive.
Of course, much more is going on all over the yard and gardens. Last weekend, Wonder Spouse helped me re-activate our front water feature:
The pitcher plants in two of the pots are not as robust this year. I allowed far too many cardinal flowers to seed into the pots with the pitcher plants, where they proceeded to outcompete the pitchers. I spent several days digging out several dozen cardinal flowers in the hopes of re-invigorating the pitchers. Now it's a waiting game to see if they can recover.
The trees are blooming about three weeks later than they did last year. Native redbuds are just opening in my yard:
And my Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is only now pushing out flower buds. Ditto for my Eastern Columbines. Both of these natives are usually open by the beginning of April, just in time for the arrival of Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrating up from their southern winter homes. I hadn't seen any hummers, but judging by the arrival of my summer warblers, I decided to put out a feeder last Friday. Several hummingbirds were enjoying the feeder by the next morning, and I've seen them on it often since. Without their native flowers, they really need the sugar water I offer to help them recuperate from their long migration.
My native coral honeysuckle is usually blooming by now, too. This year, the one on my trellis is only just beginning to produce flower buds. The one draped over a tree stump near the creek is slightly further along. It's buds at least show color.
The ferns are finally showing signs of life. Here's a group of naturally occurring Cinnamon Ferns that thrive in my wetland:
Inside my deer fence, my Christmas Ferns are also showing new growth:
I can't close today's post without mentioning the currently blooming deciduous magnolias. Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' had a record extended blooming period of six weeks for me. The cool weather kept the flowers fresh, and the cold snaps only browned a few buds. Magnolia acuminata 'Butterflies' did not fare as well. When the heat hit it, all the buds opened at once, looked gorgeous for about two days, and now most of the petals have already fallen to the ground, surrendering to summer-like early April heat. But when they were fresh they were lovely.
Here's the tree last Friday:
Here's a close-up of the canary-yellow blossoms just as they were opening a few days ago:
As is always the case, my Magnolia acuminata 'Elizabeth' is blooming about a week behind Butterflies. Actually, a bit less than a week this year, likely due to our 85-degree day today. Elizabeth is taller than Butterflies. My 17-18-year-old specimen is about 50 feet now, and when the flowers open, the effect is jaw-dropping. Here she is from a distance this morning. I had to stand fairly far back to get all of her in one shot:
Then I took a few steps closer and tried for a shot with as much of the tree in it as possible:
And, finally, here are a few branches closer up, so that you can see the gorgeous flowers.
Elizabeth's flowers are a much paler yellow than those of Butterflies, and under harsh sunlight, they fade to parchment white. The effect is lovely and more subtle than Butterflies. The flowers of both trees emit a perfume so strong that deep inhalation just about knocks me over. On a spring breeze, I can smell their fragrance across half of my five-acre yard.
There's more, of course, what with everything exploding simultaneously in the heat. I'll try to do a better job of keeping you posted here, but there's just so gosh darn much to do out there. Weeds, for example. They have exploded along with all the invited plants.
But I'm not complaining. Hard work is part of the therapy of gardening. I'll feel downright righteous when I sit down tomorrow evening to dine on our first garden salad of the year. It really is true, you know. The food does taste better when you grow it yourself.
Blooming Today
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, piedmont gardening on February 12, 2013
After returning home from errands today, I noticed quite a few flowers blooming among my five acres of green chaos. I thought of all the folks buried under feet of snow, and decided to offer them some hopeful signs of spring. It was approaching noon when I shot these, so apologies in advance for the less-than-stellar quality of some these pictures.
Long ago — over 20 years — I planted a number of traditional spring-flowering bulbs here and there in the yard. I haven't done anything right by them since. I haven't divided them, fed them, mulched them (on purpose — some get leaf mulch because they're under trees), or given them any supplemental water. Despite total neglect, they brighten our late winter/early spring landscape every year.
The daffodils have mostly spread in place, making ever-larger clumps. However, the crocuses travel. I don't know if birds, insects, or rodents are moving the seeds or corms, but somehow, I now find blooming crocuses in unexpected places. Take, for example, those bright yellow beauties in the top photo. They just appeared beside my pink flowering apricot a few years back, as if to keep it company. That tree has finished blooming, but the location continues its spring show, thanks to these sunny crocuses.
Another volunteer crocus is blooming in deep shade beneath the loropetalums. Every year, I mean to relocate it, but, of course, I forget it when the leaves disappear.
Some crocuses are still blooming where I planted them — more or less. I love the subtle striping on these paler lilac beauties.
I almost overlooked the blooming dwarf crested iris I planted some years back. These diminutive specimens are native to Piedmont floodplains, but horticulturalists have created a number of cultivars. I have long forgotten the name of this variety that continues to thrive among overgrown Verbena 'Homestead Purple.'
I wrote some time ago about all the volunteer wildflowers — many non-native originally — that have naturalized and taken over much of my "lawn." Blooming vigorously right now is this little Speedwell. I think it's Veronica persica, but don't hold me to that. This clump is growing in my gravel driveway with the rest of the weeds.
Both of my Prunus mume 'Peggy Clarke' specimens are still blooming. Peggy Junior is nearly done; she was more severely impacted by a recent bout of sub-freezing weather. Peggy Senior is protected from north winds by our garage. Her branch tops are still filled with fragrant rosy flowers; abundant honeybees enjoy this resource every sunny day now.
As I mentioned previously, this is the first year that my non-native Parrotia persica has bloomed abundantly. It's still doing so, but most of the flowers in this picture are spent. The brighter pops of magenta here and there are the currently blooming flowers.
The daffodils on the floodplain open first, because the area is a tad warmer than the hilltops. Ice Follies is always the first daffodil to defiantly declare spring's arrival — sometimes in snow!
The snow drops I showed you in the previous post are now fully open.
About 8, maybe 10 years ago, I planted a hybrid Hellebore. This clump of Lenten Roses grows more enormous every year, and, no, I haven't gotten around to dividing it. As is usually the case, its flowers begin opening well before the onset of Lent most years.
Inside the deer fence on the north side of my yard, two recently planted specimens are showing their late winter flowers right on schedule. The Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) from last year is completely covered in bright yellow flowers. The new plant we added this year is blooming some, so I'm hoping we'll get at least a couple of fruits, now that I've provided a source for cross pollination.
My hybrid witchhazel, Aurora, is just starting to show off its strappy yellow-and-orange petals. It should be more impressive after a few more years of growth.
Up front beneath the shelter of mature loblolly pines, Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' is about to explode into snow-white star bursts of potently fragrant glory — assuming no freezes brown petals prematurely.
I can't close before showing you a couple of native trees now in glorious full bloom throughout my yard. The Red Maples are heating up the forest canopy with their usual crimson display.
Some feet below in the subcanopy, American Hazelnut trees are ornamented by numerous dangling male catkins. Every breeze makes them dance, releasing pollen onto the tiny female flowers scattered among them. These native shrubs/small trees disappear into the landscape when everything leafs out. But right now, they are quite conspicuous. As I wandered around my yard today, I discovered a large specimen growing in my backyard that I had never noticed before.
Then as I walked the creek line, I realized that at least a half dozen more specimens were blooming on my neighbor's land across the creek. I spotted a very large tree over there so covered in catkins that I wondered how I'd never seen it before.
One final enthusiastic bloomer will close today's post. This rosemary has been growing against my house for a number of years. I always intend to prune the branches away from the siding when the plant stops blooming, but I've discovered it doesn't really ever stop blooming. I certainly can't bear to cut it now, when every branch is covered in delicate blue flowers beloved by hungry foraging honeybees. I'll try to remember to do this in summer, when bloom enthusiasm decreases, and the pollinators have myriad other options.
All of these early flowers are signaling me that it's time to start some spring vegetable seeds in the greenhouse. When the weather moderates a bit, that will be my next task. Happy February, ya'll.
Love's Labors Lost … and Won
Posted by piedmontgardener in Favorite Plants, Native Wildlife, piedmont gardening on February 14, 2012
On this day that has come to serve as an acknowledgement of love, I thought I'd share a few pictures that illustrate how the amorous intentions of flora and fauna in my Piedmont, NC yard are faring this year. You may recall the precocious flowers of my Royal Star Magnolia that I documented here.
As you can see from the photo at the top of this entry, the groundhogs got their revenge yesterday just before sunrise, when the temperature on my hill registered 15.7 degrees Fahrenheit. That's plenty cold enough to zap delicate white petals floating twenty feet in the air. I count that as a love labor lost; those flowers won't be getting pollinated. However, fat fuzz-covered buds still abound on this tree, so perhaps love — in the form of new blooms — will win, as warm air returns to my area today.
The blooms of plants close to the ground, such as daffodils and crocuses, were unimpressed by Nature's latest little cold joke. My Lenten Roses, though completely neglected by me so far this year, are cranking out flowers in profusion:
The Hamamelis x intermedia 'Aurora' that I planted last November is showing off just a few lovely orange-and-yellow strappy petals. I can testify that they are as deliciously fragrant as advertised, and quite impervious to cold snaps.
Many of the birds that live in and around my yard are talking about love these days. The Barred Owls proclaimed their territory and ardor a month ago. I suspect they are nesting now, because I don't hear them much these days; birds tend to be much quieter when they are nesting.
Likewise, two weeks ago, a female Wood Duck paddling on the creek adjacent to my yard was shrieking in annoyance every time I accidentally got too close. Now she has gone silent. Did our absurd winter warmth coax her into early nesting?
Also two weeks ago, I watched a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks build a nest in a tall pine near the end of my floodplain. Two years ago, a pair successfully raised four chicks to adulthood, nesting in a Sweet Gum that we could see from our window. Wonder Spouse took some excellent photos of this family, including this shot of Mother Hawk with her brood:
Last year, a pair of hawks refurbished the same nest, but we are fairly certain they did not succeed in bringing new life into adulthood. We watched the pair take turns sitting on eggs for about three weeks, then all activity stopped — love's labors lost.
This year, we are hoping that the pair nesting in the pine will have better luck. I've read that Red-Shouldered Hawks mate for life, but they don't live long, averaging only a little over two years most of the time. I don't know if we've been watching the same hawks every year, or if perhaps the hawks on the pine nest are new to our yard. They may be offspring of the successful nest of 2010, because I watched the female borrow sticks from the old Sweet Gum nest, relocating them to the Loblolly Pine nest. Would offspring be more likely to notice and use their birth nest than an unrelated hawk? I don't know.
Shortly after nest-building in the pine stopped, I tiptoed down there and tried to photograph the nest. It's about 35 feet up, securely lodged between sturdy branches, with plenty of needle-covered branches above it to shelter the nest from weather and sun. It's not a great shot, but this is the best I could do:
Woodpecker drumming started up a few weeks ago too, and I've spotted several newly excavated holes near the tops of dead trees on the other side of my creek. At least one hole is the rectangular shape characteristic of Pileated Woodpeckers, which we hear and see regularly. The woodpeckers and nuthatches have been devouring huge quantities of suet from our feeders lately. If they aren't yet actively nesting, I'm thinking they are just about to.
The male goldfinches have not yet started to brighten their plumage to summer sunshine standards, and mixed winter flocks of chickadees, titmice, and warblers still actively forage in our yard. We're in moderate drought here, so the bird baths that I keep stocked with clean, fresh water are very popular.
At least once a day, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds that has been noisily inspecting nest box options for several weeks stop by to bathe, splashing out two-thirds of the water in the process. The pair that nests in the Purple Martin house every year always raises two broods — love's labors won twiceover!
If a love lesson can be drawn from observing the plants and animals in my Piedmont yard, I'd say it is that persistence pays. Love is hard work, but successful labors of love yield lasting beauty in the comfort of family. That's a Valentine's Day sentiment I think we can all endorse. Happy Valentine's Day, Wonder Spouse — and to everyone else out there laboring for love.