Spring's Arrival
Yes, Spring in Virginia is here... finally!
After doing a darn good job of avoiding the last throes of winter in my February frigid town, I enthusiastically arrived back home. The signs of Spring's arrival are everywhere... hints of leaves on the trees and bushes, increased coloring of their branches, buds becoming more robust.
In the meantime, I embrace Spring's Arrival with all its joys and challenges.
The sun is rising in a different spot on the horizon with a sophisticated bird chorus to welcome it. The daylight is longer and warmer. Green leaves and stems of native perennials are poking through the soil. The Rappahannock River "black slider" water turtles are sunning themselves on sturdy logs in the river. The Ospreys, Great Blue Herons and Cormorants have returned from the south to feast on the generous river's bounty. The list of Spring's joyous awakening is vast.
Unfortunately, there's another list, too. This one includes the rejuvenation of the invasive Lamium purpureum, red deadnettle. Thanks to it, the lawn in my yard is now purple with blossoms, not green with grass for bocce ball playing. What should I do? After some rumination, I decide to enjoy looking at these enthusiastic plants. Thankful to see some color coming back to the post-winter landscape. I draw the line at putting these edibles in my salad or making tea with them. Don't want to make these creatures feel welcome or needed. Truly, I want the nettle gone, but I can't pick or eat that much. Oh well, an eradication challenge for another day. Bocce ball can wait.
But, the dreaded, aggressive, non-native Euonymus fortunei, (aka Wintercreeper) is a 12-inch pile carpet on my wood's floor and is climbing the native trees. It is a Tier 1 invasive plant which means it's been banned for sale by VA Department of Agriculture. Well, that's another matter. It has got to go. Well established, it will be a laborious removal project involving manual and chemical means. A top priority for elimination. I'm ready to get started...once I get over this Spring sinus infection.
In the meantime, I embrace Spring's Arrival with all its joys and challenges.