Lovely Fungus Growth

Several years ago, we cut down our apple tree but left about 8 feet of the stump.  The stump is home to bugs and bees and holds our hummingbird feeder.  It is now beginning to decay.  Much of the bark is gone and look what we found at the base -- a great collection of fungi.  Note that the Solomon Seal has grown right through the top fungus.  Ah, nature does such neat things when we leave it alone!

Goldenrod and Bees

It's goldenrod time and the bees are busy collecting nectar and pollen from one of the last blooms of the season.

Goldenrod is an ubiquitous plant along roadsides this time of year. Goldenrod and New England aster often team up.  They are breathtaking together.

If you're planning to plant along a roadside, be careful that you don't inadvertently uproot a stand of goldenrod.

For many years, goldenrod was blamed for Fall hayfever, but now we know better.  The pollen of goldenrod is much too heavy to land up your nose.  It's ragweed, another fall bloomer, that causes us to sneeze.

There are several golden rods to choose from.  An amazing one volunteered in my son-in-law's garden.  Finding a place in garden soil caused the plant to grow 7 feet tall.  Goldenrod: a
glorious plant for Autumn