The Bee Better Teaching Garden experiments with several types of fruit trees and shrubs. Our criteria first and foremost are the fruits performance without spraying. We also consider plants for an average residential property, so we look for varieties that are self-pollinating and also dwarf varieties.. Below is a list of the fruits we have in the teaching garden.
Now we’re talking!!! April is when we can finally plant annuals and summer veggies!
A year ago, Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest launched our first on-line mini course on Earth Day, April 22nd. Our first course is entitled, How You Can Help The Monarch Butterfly. Specifically, the course teaches and encourages you to grow more milkweed and how to raise eggs to adult Monarchs! To register, click HERE!
I’ve been busy in the garden during February. Freshening up is how I would put it. As you saw last month, I added new rock to the Rock Garden, and I also added it to the gazebo. It’s been a long time. I also need to do the Southside path. I need to look for some energy before I can make that happen. I agreed to do an open garden for the Rock Garden Society. I’m not doing this rock fresh for that, but it will add value during the opening.
All this freshening up continues through March. My goal is to have all freshening up chores done by April 1st.
GARDEN TASKS
1) Fix gate in the Back 40(ft.) —I learned BBN’s perspective Eagle Scout his troop will fix the gate while the Air Bee N Bee is being installed.
2) Rid all fig buttercup, Ficaria verna. I’ve been going after it since it arrived about four years ago. I have been doing this weekly, through February even, to rid it as soon as it shows a glossy, round leave.
3) Cleaned up the Southside. I cleared out shrubs that were there to make room for the Air Bee N Bee my prospective Eagle Scout, Leo, will make for his project. It’s also a better view for the cameras. I’m happy with how it looks!
4) Trimmed back Lady Banks rose. Cleaned up the Corner Garden in general.
5) Reduced the number of ‘Black and Blue’ salvia near the pond.
6) Added composted leaf mulch from the City of Raleigh to that area.
7) Removed blackberries and arum from the south side to pot up for the plant sale in April.
8) Put up cranberry viburnum, Viburnum trilobum, for the plant sale in April.
9) Moved a holly from one area in the Southside to another but in the same area.
10) Cut back boxwood hedge. I do this annually. Rack up clippings and put them in yard waste bags.
Front- Takes right at one hour, and 4-yard waste bags.
Side - Takes 20 minutes, and 1.5—yard waste bags.
Back
11) Level and lift the rest of the stepping stones.
Edgeworthia
I’m indifferent about February. January offers the gift of new beginnings and, gradually, more light. I like that, even though January is my worse month of the year. I’m always glad when it is over; as I grow older, I can handle it more and more easily. this is good. Now we have February. Besides Valentines Day and the Fearrington Folk Art show, my other liking for her is that she will bring me March.
I’ve transplanted anything needing so; all the bulbs are in, Poppies are sown, and fresh garden bed edges dug. So now I am waiting. Yes, that’s it! I wait and perhaps rest up for March to begin the burst tree blooms she never fails to bring.
Enjoyed visiting with Dick Tyler of Pine Knot Hellebore Farm. It was good to see old friends. I also met Bryan Byers who was just recently named the new owner. Bryan was a student of Dick’s daughter, Helen Kraus. It turns out, Dick gifted the Farm to Bryan, who had been working there since graduating. Yes, Dick is that kind of kind person.
Bobby Ward with Dick Tyler at the Pine Knot Hellebore Farm.
With the warm weather, weeds have also arrived. Be on the lookout for those horrible weeds: lesser celandine:
Hellebore foliage was cut back to feature flowers. New edges were dug around the “soccer field;" this is a big job, but well worth it.
Within two weeks of the cold snap that flattened, and turned my acanthus to a melted mush, hope springs eternal!
The Back 40 (ft) North to South—It was overdue but glad I finally got around to recutting the bed edges. I toiled with adding Colmet steal edges, like I did in the River Bed, but decided against it. There really isn’t a need. I can keep up with these straight edges. Unlike the River Bed, with its curvilinear shape, I couldn’t keep pace with the Zoysia encroachment, or at least not with the shape.
The Back 40 (ft) South to North
Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'. I’ve had it in this shady location for at least 20 years. Very slow growing, but I have a nice stand now.
Gazebo Corner—I’ll wait until after the Confederate jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides blooms before I trim it back.
The Epimedium Patch
The Wildflower Patch Extension
Galanthus and cyclamen
The Wildflower Patch—Galanthus are blooming!
The Southside
The Ostrich Fern Garden—It doesn’t look like much now, but wait til spring!
The Front Fountain Garden—I found a source for more Japanese fishing floats. I love the look. the little floats became bubbles around the rock edge. I have two more I want to add.
The Food Forest
The Food Forest Extension
The Parterre—The iris were hit hard by the Christmas weekend cold blase, They should be fine, but I cut back the yellowed foliage.
The Raspberry Patch/Muscadine/River bed—I finally completed the metal edging around the River Bed. The goal is to keep the curve. I was lost many times over the years. It took me forever to make the decision to add this. It turned out so well; I wonder what I was worried about!
The Pollinator Garden
The Blackberry Patch
The Entrance Garden
The North Side
Rock Garden
The Girl’s Garden
The Wildlife Pond
Mixed Border, North to South. Prunus mume ‘Bridal Vail’
Mixed Border, South to North.
Until soon,
Helen
#WeCanAllBeeBetter
Happy New Year! Welcome to January, Friends! A fresh start!! That is what January is to me. January is also my month of darkness, so I wail for February when I can noticeable see the days get longer. In January, I write. I plan. I think. January can be so refreshing and welcoming. I also do gardening projects; you know, those that I’ve been putting off for slower days. I end up with so many of these that January AND February can be very busy. I like being busy!
Welcome to my Food Forest, where I grow several fruits in the Bee Better Teaching Garden. Information in this fruit series is based on the knowledge I’ve gained growing in hardiness zone 7b, Raleigh, North Carolina. Helen Yoest
Latin Name: Rubus fruticosus 'Apache' PP11865
Common Name: ‘Apache’ Blackberry
Type: Bramble
Height: 5 to 8 feet; pinched back to keep height to five feet and branching
Spread: 4 to 8 feet; kept with a range of a two-foot wide trellis system
Pollination: ‘Apache’ cultivar is self-pollinating.
Fruit Health Benefits: They're packed with vitamin C. Just one cup of raw blackberries has 30.2 milligrams of vitamin C. ...
They're high in fiber. Most people don't get enough fiber in their diet
Great source of vitamin K
High in manganese
May boost brain health
Helps support oral health
Wildlife Benefits: Black bears, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, voles, and mice readily consume berries. Gamebirds, songbirds, and woodpeckers all feed on the berries.
Origin of species: North America, but blackberries are native to several continents, including Asia, Europe, and South America.
Cultivars: ‘Apache,’ is an erect, early harvest, thornless, medium size, somewhat irregular shape. This post is specific to ‘Apache’.
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium, well-drained soils. If soil conditions aren’t ideal. plant in a raised bed. Grows well in 5-gallon buckets.
Zone: 5 to 9
Years to bear fruit: 2nd year
Harvest Time: June
Plant: Prepare an easy-to-access location for your blackberries a year before planting. Blackberries need full sun and plenty of room to grow. The soil should be a well-drained sandy loam; otherwise amend with organic matter or grow in raised beds.
Fertilizer/pH: 5.5 to 6.5.
Mulch: Mulch heavily with organic matter, particularly under non-irrigated conditions.
Groom/Prune: Once the canes have reached the trellis top wire, remove the tips to encourage branching. After the fruit is harvested, prune out fruiting canes, they will not fruit again.
Pest/Disease Control: I’ve never experienced any pest or disease, but they could be affected by:
Anthracnose Elsinoe veneta.
Blackberry rosette (Double blossom) Cercosporella rubi.
Botrytis fruit rot Botrytis cinerea.
Cane and Leaf Rust Kuehneola uredinis.
Orange rust Gymnoconia peckiana.
Powdery mildew Podosphaera macularis.
Propagation: Through leafy stem cuttings as well as root cuttings.
If. you ever see a car or two pulled over the side of the road and people picking something, it’s likely blackberries. You might even see me around Raleigh doing the same.
Wild blackberries are highly variable depending on their genetic strain and growing conditions. It doesn’t get any better than finally finding a good patch or growing your own.
Brambles such as blackberries and raspberries Rubus pedals and Rubus idaeus respectively, as well as hybrids, including loganberry and boysenberry, are also considered cane fruits since they are commonly grown with supports such as wines and canes. The black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis, grows in disturbed areas especially margins of woodlands, ravines, fields and thickets. Very similar to the blackberry and just as tasty.
Check out this LINK for more information on other types of blackberries and how their care.
In November 2022, I redid one of my blackberry beds. What I thought was a great location, between the guava, next to the house, had all the right conditions—soil type, sun, and close to a water source. As they matured, they grew to close to the house and I was only able to access fruit from one side of the trellis.
At the time, I used a one row trellis where I attached the vine to the wires. For the renovation, I put in a double trellis system, two parallel rows about two-feet apart. The canes are planted in the middle of this trellis system.
Blackberries are easy to transplant so I wasn’t worried about not having success.
I’ve often wondered if the childhood memory of the image of my Polish grandfather sitting out back of his Riverside, NJ home, near the grapevine by the shed that had a coffee grinder on the far wall, touched me to the point of reliving any outdoor scene where food was involved. I can picture him sitting in a chair, legs crossed, just staring at the ground. He was in his eighties. To him, it was a matter of just being outside. Not cooking out. Not kicking a ball with the kids. Not gardening, even, but enjoying the outdoor space just by sitting under the canopy of a shade tree.
Since my grandfather’s time, I’ve associated this type of behavior with people from countries other than America. Of course, Americans sit outside, but not like in the manner of people from other countries. We tend to have a distinct indoor and outdoor flair. While we like to bring the outdoors in, for the most part, we aren’t as comfortable bringing the indoors out.
Some of my favorite movie scenes are of Europeans eating outside. A table would be pulled from the kitchen with a simple tablecloth to cover it, slightly off-kilter, and everyday china and crystal on the tabletop. A rug might even be brought out along with candles and music and books and wine. If the weather was right, time was spent outdoors. It didn’t even have to be during the evening; it could be any meal, any time. In my book, this is living.
When we built the back porch, I envisioned taking every meal outside. It turns out I am the only one in the family that really likes to do this. It’s lonely out there.
Years later, something interesting happened. As the time came to take down the kids’ playground and later put up the chicken coop, I noticed something that I never expected. The Crape Myrtles I planted to frame that area had matured to a fine state, as did the red Maple. This development caught me off guard.
I planned the placement of those trees with other perspectives in mind, not for the sake of the playground but from the view of the back porch. So when I stepped in the footprint of the former play set, I realized there was a new space. I’m not sure I could have planned it so well, and I’m also not sure I would have thought I needed to.
The new space is in the ell of the chicken coop and the garden house, shaded by mature trees. It now sports three chairs and a fire pit. Only had three chairs because that is what I had on hand. See, I didn’t go out and buy anything for this new space. I just pulled from other areas of the garden. If friends come over and I need more chairs, I can bring those from inside the house. This space is completely private. I knew it was a special place the first time I saw it all coming together.
Recently a garden photographer from Scotland was visiting. The first night we had dinner and a conversation on the back porch. The next night, we had dinner on the porch, but then we took our conversation to the fire. The evening was magical. There is no other way to describe it. A fire adds so much mystery to a room, a space, or an area.
My pit is crude, nothing fancy like Americans like, making something for the outside to look like something we have on the inside. Instead, it’s just made from a makeshift large copper tray sitting on top of some found rock. It is nothing short of perfection to me.
Now I’m one of those who sits outside, with my legs crossed, looking down at the ground, the fire, the chickens, or whatever else I fancy. It’s not an event. It’s just a place to pass the time, no different than sitting in a favorite armchair or couch to read or watch a movie. Instead, I sit outside because I prefer to read and watch my life instead of someone else’s. And my beloved Border Collie, Pepper, is always with me.
From September through May, on Sundays, my day in the garden, you’ll find me with a fire going. Join me some time. I’ll make the time to sit with you in this special place so you can see firsthand the magic of finding solace in the most unexpected places.
~Helen
I’m a self-professed patron. I collect garden art and other art as well. Inside my home, my dining room walls are filled in a gallery style with street art collected from many of the various countries I have visited, of which there were dozens. Others are—photos, oils, pastels, and various mixed media—gracing the remaining walls of my Raleigh and Emerald Isle homes. I choose carefully and with heart; a piece needs to speak to me, and I also need room for it. That has been a problem for me over time. There are so many artists that I want another piece of, and I’m introduced to others frequently, but I must choose small or at least smallish. Over the years, I’ve moved pieces around to accommodate, but even that has become a problem. I may need to begin rotating.
When I mention, a piece needs to speak to me, what I mean is I need to feel the heart and hands that went into their art. If that is missing, I move on.
While I have limited space inside my home, my garden still has many spots for new treasures. As you preview the pieces below, and they are not all included yet, but most are, know that the garden doesn’t look overwhelming…not by the art, at least! Most pieces are situated such that they are a surprise to come upon. That is by design.
As best I could, after the opening of “Helen’s Haven,” the pieces are arranged as I purchased them. This allows me to add a new piece to share with you with you having to scroll through. Currently, I have 50 posted here. Also not, when there is a group of the same, such as the sheres, those are counted as one. There are a couple of photos with two artists represented, so they are counted as they are, two.
Found these letters at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. These sit on the Garden House work bench.
Totem by Anne Terry
I commissioned Tinka Jordy this rabbit. When I told her I planned to place her next the back porch where I sit, she suggested she would sculpt the piece so that she is looking up at me. Well-done, Tinka!
During a time in 2022, I decided to renovate the Fountain Garden. Before the renovation, there were plants growing in here I was forever cleaning the filter that filled with a fine silt. As with my nature, I looked at the entire area and decided it needed my attention for a complete renovation. Out came the plants and most of the vegetation, mosly ferns. Once this was done, I found there was significant erosion from the fountains splash. I backfilled ~300 pounds of fresh dirt to bring the soil level back up to the rim of the base. Instead of putting back all the plantings, I surrounded the rim with rock, both because I liked the look of this and to deflect the splash. Then I put back most of the plantings, particularly the ferns. I had seen a couple of these Japanese fishing floats in shops in Emerald Isle, so I decided that would be my art element for the fountain. These floats have proven to be costly and hard to find. So, this is a process. I have enough for the beginning of the effect, and it will be a lovely sport as I continue to search for more to add.
I picked up this chicken to guard the girl’s coop from the Lasting Impressions fall show. Artist name is Laurie McNair of Hokulele Pottery!
Garden spheres I made from whisky barrel stays. I used them in my 2022 State Fair demonstration garden. Look closely, there are three of them.
When we can, my friend Beth Jimenez and I go to the Fearrington Folk Art each February. This beautiful grasshopper causes no harm in the garden, rather only beauty. Hamidou Sissoko made the grasshopper. To learn more about Mr. Sissoko, click HERE. The light was created by, .Riley Foster,.also found at Fearrington, but in a different year. Mr. Foster wasn't there last year, and I don't see him listed as being there in 2023. The light was purchased in 2019. Powered by solar, the light shines on the grasshopper each evening!
Here we have an owl by Jean McCamy. I’m happy to still have this owl; a soccer ball took the life of three white ducks that “swam” through the river bed. I was able to get up with Mrs. McCamy to learn she has retired. I loved her works and she had the most wonderful spirit.
Also from Jean McCamy.
I also have two awesome pieces by Jean’s son, Cam McCamy. I need to photograph the other.
From another year at the Fearrington Folk Art show, I found the artist, Josh Coté, and I was an immediate fan. At the time, He lives in the Rock Garden. I’m guessing this was in 2016
The following year,Mr. Cotë was there again and I purchased a more detailed piece, the crow holding a red marble in his mouth.
The next year, I was all set to purchase another piece, but Josh Cotê works were not valued 10 fold. I was priced out of my league. I’m so grateful with the pieces I do own. He hasn’t been back since his price increase, but he still sells online.
I know little about this piece. Its name is “Stain Glass'“ with nipped glass over a bowling ball with a dark mortar giving the of stain glass., I found this piece at an antiques show in Charlotte around ~2012.
Here is what’s left of a Clyde Jones. Fearrington Village had this whole piece but over time, it had deteriorated, leaving only the head and neck left. I found it in a heap and asked if I could have it. Now, here he is!
Here’s another Larkspur Party find by George McKim. Bluebirds moved in its first year.
Glamming up the chicken coop! Found this at a flea market.
I only heard about the Barrel Moster from the news; while only a mile or so from my house, I never went that way, so I never saw it and it was quickly taken down. Too bad. I was intrigued.
Check out this story to see how it all happened.
Afterward, even the City of Raleigh commissioned Joe to do a piece. Then there was the praying mantis at the NC State Fair. Not to be outdone, I got in touch with Joe to commission me a piece. Sure he said. I asked for something in nature. He suggested a hummingbird. As you can see, I said yes. He made this remarkable piece out of three lawnmowers and a weed whacker!
Even Tony Avent commissioned a barrel monster with a pink ribbon to honor the death of his wife from breast cancer, many years ago. I wonder what Joe is doing today!
A close up.
Bird bubbler. HERE is the how-to.
Marina Bosetti. I need a pro shot of this piece. It often takes a picture to see what's "wrong." This awesome piece by Bosetti Art Tile. Marina Bosetti is a genius in her work! As you can see, we have a beautiful bird on a fence post. I need to like up my post sections! My friend, GG also has several of Marina's pieces.
Decades ago, a developer friend had a lead on an old barn of tobacco sticks. Originally tobacco sticks were for hanging the tobacco in the barns to dry. They are 45"- 50" and longer. They can be a round stick or a square stick, mine are square, with pointed ends or cut ends. Typically, they are made of they are a very hard wood but sometimes pine. called me to see if I wanted them; there were about 600 sticks. With no hesitation, I said yes! I wasn’t sure how I was going to get them, but before I could even think this through, he offered to deliver them to me! It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with them. In the meantime, I stored them in the shed until one day, after about five years, my husband said, it’s time for you to figure this out. And so I did. I created a series of panels and attached them to my neighbor’s chain linked fence. I’ve never looked back. Because of tobacco moderation, tobacco sticks are not longer used. As they become increasingly rate, if you find them, they typically sell for $3 -$5, making my free fence worth $1,800 to $3,000!
I like making interesting looking bug bungalows.
Here’s another.
Here’s another one that bit the dust from Lasting Impressions. This time, I can’t blame a soccer ball. Rather, water got in and froze it, cracking the beautiful piece. At least I have a memory in this picture.
Thomas Sayre. Terroir model. Gifted to me by Mr. Sayre. The original piece went into Eliza Olander’s Raleigh garden in 2009. Because I made the introduction to Thomas, he gifted me this model..
PLACEHOLDER
Disk
Seat
This expressive copper praying mantis lives in the Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest’s Rock Garden. She was found while on a trip to Asheville with wonderful JC Raulston Arboretum volunteer friends led by Beth. Such good memories! A little back story, While we were touring gardens, I saw several variations of this wonderful piece. Because of that, I know the artists must be local. We didn’t have time to stop by the artist’s shop, but I got lucky. My friend, Pat Korpik, traveled to the area every other week, so she was able to go to the shop and purchase this for me. I think of Pat every time I see this piece.
Tinka Jordy hosts a garden art show each spring in her home garden. Tinka Jordy is a co-owner of Eno Gallery in Hillsborough, NC. Ms. Jordy also hosts a garden event in her home garden each spring. This piece, Moving Forward, was purchased during the first tour I attended; I believe it was around 2010. It was during a time in my life I needed to move forward. She has been my guiding light ever since.
Before I purchased this piece, even before I knew of Ms. Jordy’s work, I purchased two fish on stakes from Fearrington Village when they still had the garden shop many years ago. It wasn’t until later that I realized they were Tinka’s pieces! I discovered Tinka was the artist when I saw more of them in her personal collection at the 2010 open art/garden tour. I need to get a pic!
Terracotta bird
Wise Old Bird, Larkspur
Metal and stone bird—flea market
Metal structure—flea market
Copper dragonfly—A birthday gift from my friend Robin Segal
Hummingbird—flea market
Bird structure from Asheville. A little modern for my taste, but I still love it.
I purchased this in Buffalo in 2010 during the Garden Bloggers Fling.
Glass Ball—Lisa Oakley, Larkspur. I miss Larkspur…a lot. It wasn’t only the artists, it was the setting. This photo was taken by Ken Gergle. I need to get the original.
Cermaic totem from Niche Gardens from wayyy back when they still existed.
A driftwood '“bird.” Another flea market find!
Phil Hathcock. This stone sculpture is by my old friend, Phil Hathcock owner of Natural Stone Sculptures. My daughter named it "Guardian of the Gnomes" when she was 10.
PLACEHOLDER
Bird bath
Another Phil Hathcock. I use this as a butterfly water and food feeder.
For a Christmas present, my hubby hired Phil Hathcock to build me these stairs. Love, love, love them!
Metal butterfly from Airlie Gardens.
Unknown. Bought at the NW Flower and Garden Show where I have spoken many times. That weekend, I visited with my friend, Nancy Heckler, who has many works of crow, that I had to add one for myself!
Another one that got away was very, very painful. On one of my trips to speak at the Northwest Flower and Garden show, hanging out with my dear friend, Nancy Heckler, we visited not only Windcliff but my favorite all-time garden artists, Little and Lewis. I was so careful not to put my pomegranet in the garden for fear it would freeze; I never anticipated my dog and cat would have a heyday in the house, knocking it over and smashing it to smithereens.
Washer turtle from the flea maket
Carved feed trough.
Majolica found at an antique fair. For years, I had it inside, but them moved it outdoors. Oops!
Virginia Gibbons. I wish I knew more about this artist. I was on a garden tour in Raleigh, ~2007, and her work was for sale. I purchase this one then.
#Garden #Art this non-breeding pair stand guard around the front fountain reservoir. Hellebore from Pine Knot Hellebore Farm This beauty was purchased around 2010. I have a couple of wonderful cultivars as this, and I make sure to isolate them they will cross-breed in a hot minute! Most of what I have in the garden are the Helleborus 'Pine Knot Strain' Lenten Rose.
I have a pair of these birds, the other in an upright pose. I was given these for speaking at Smith & Hawkins at Crabtree Valley Mall in-lieu of cash. My idea. Most likely around 20004.
Frances Alverano. Frances, along with her daughter, hosted the Larkspur Party. Held each June when the Larkspur were in bloom. Frances no longer works as an artist, so I covent this fantastic piece.
I found this pot metal formed fish at a flea market in Charlotte, NC. I liked it so much, I bought ten. I knew my clients would want one too. It may have been all they had. I resold or used them in various forms from fountains (there is a hole in the mouth) to “shutters” around windows. I’ve never seen one since and I’m always so thankful that I have the wherewithal to not wait when I see a good thing.
The surrounding plant is Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata. I’ve since lost this plant, but plan to replace it. I bought two plants, one for here and the other for the other side of my house with similar conditions. The one on the other side is thriving!
Boston ivy isn’t from Boston nor is it an ivy. The Boston reference come from how it thrives up north and famed for growing on buildings of Ivy League schools. The species is in the grape family native to eastern Asia in Korea, Japan, and northern and eastern China.
Another praying mantis.
A butterfly by Joel Haas. Purchased from his garden. Joel typically works on commission, but I convinced him to sell this to me. Thanks, Joel!
Mask by Joel Haas.
Here’s and antique chimney from Liverpool. I found this at Metrolina Antique & Vintage show in Charlotte years ago. It only seemed fitting to have since I spent 25 years of my career as an air pollution engineer.
Welcome to my Food Forest where I grow an number of fruits in the Bee Better Teaching Garden. Information in this fruit series is based on knowledge I’ve gained growing in hardiness zone 7b, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Helen Yoest
Latin Name: Aronia melanocarpa
Common Name: Black Chokeberry
Type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Spread: 3 to 6 feet
Pollination: Self-pollinated. The flowers of red (Aronia arbutifolia) and black (Aronia melanocarpa) are virtually indistinguishable. Both are very attractive to pollinators, and their simple, open structure makes them accessible to a range of bee species, from the large bumblebees (Bombus spp.) to tiny sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). The berries of these two species are very astringent when ripe. They are an important late season food source for birds, who tend to leave them alone until late in the fall or even the next spring, when they have fermented and shriveled into wrinkled raisins.
Fruit Health Benefits: One of the top natural sources of antioxidants and other healthful compounds. Along with their high antioxidant capacity, the Aronia melanocarpa's main polyphenolic components also possess anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Wildlife Benefits: Flowers providing nectar and pollen for bees; Robins, thrushes, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, jays, bluebirds, catbirds, kingbirds, and grouse eat chokecherries, and so do mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, skunks, foxes, deer, bear, and moose.
Origin of species: Eastern North American, cultivated by Native Americans as a food source.
Cultivars: Black—‘Viking’ or ‘Nero.’
Culture Information:
Sun: Full sun to part shade. Aronia does best in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Plants are tolerant of alkaline pH, road salt, and a wide range of soils, including sand and clay. Aronia will even grow in wet soils, making it a good choice for boggy areas where little else will grow
Water: Moist, well-draining
Habitat: Low woodlands, swamps, bogs, and moist thickets along the East coast. Great plantings for a rain garden.
Plant: Aronia best in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Plants are tolerant of alkaline pH, road salt, and a wide range of soils, including sand and clay. Aronia will even grow in wet soils, making it a good choice for boggy areas where little else will grow
Fertilizer/pH: Needs little or no supplemental fertilizer. If desired, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. I don’t tend to use fertilizers, so this suggested isn’t practiced in the Bee Better Naturally Garden.
Mulch: None needed. If fertilizer is added, add a thin layer of compost around the base of the plants.
Groom/Prune: Can shape, but black chokeberry makes a natural looking shrub form that, I believe, should be embraced.
Pest/Disease Control: Aronia yields are the apple maggot, brown marmorated stink bug, cherry fruit worm, grasshoppers, Japanese beetle, spotted wing drosophila, and tarnished plant bug. Fingers crossed, I’ve not had any of these problems.
Propagation: Expanding your amount of aronia berries is simple! Once mature enough to produce suckers, slice off a sucker and transplant to the new location.
Comments:
Black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, was my first foraged food as a young girl. I found a thicket of black chokeberry shrubs next to a swale that flows into the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk, VA. Although the berries were bitter-tasting fresh from the shrub, I kept eating anyway. It never occurred to make something out of them.
The Aronia genus has three similar species, except for the color of their fruit—black, red, or purple—and all have berries with good flavor, though astringent-tasting when eaten raw.
Both red and black chokeberries are native to North America. The black chokeberry is native from Maine to Georgia and north to Minnesota, while the red chokeberry is native from Maine to east Texas but not the Midwest.
I recommend and grow Aronia melanocarpa, a black chokeberry, over the red Aronia arbutifolia, because of the benefits black has over red. Here is a short summary:
RED:
Red has better fall color, but I grow it for food and wildlife. Color would only be a bonus.
The red berries last long, but that is only because the birds don’t favor them as much as black ones and will only eat them as a last resort.
Red has suckering stems, which I would mind if the shrub had desirable food and wildlife traits. But in a small space, it is not desirable.
The rabbits like the stems, so while you are feeding the rabbit population, it is at the sacrifice of the birds, assuming they get hungry enough to want the berries!
BLACK:
Black is rising in popularity among gardeners and landscapers and, as I mentioned above, with foodies.
Rabbits don’t seem to bother with black, leaving fruit for us and wildlife.
If you are interested in growing aronia for its health benefits, the black is the one you should be growing. Red doesn’t have as many antioxidants as black.
Black fruit also has the highest amount of antioxidants of any fruit.
Both red and black are very astringent when eating fresh, but others have reported freezing fresh berries to reduce astringency, although I’ve not tried this…yet.
Chokeberries taste best dried. Mix in when making muffins or sugar-up with jams or juices.
Black chokeberry has a smaller, fuller, more attractive form than its red-fruiting relative, making it a great landscape shrub too..
PATREON
We have big news to announce! Bee Better Naturally has joined Patreon. So what is Patreon? Patreon is a platform that allows friends or “patrons” to pay creators or in this case, Bee Better Naturally, for their efforts to create. As a 100% volunteer non-profit, we still need funds to support our website. Our goal is to reach an annual income amount of $600.00 to fund the cost of our email list. Click HERE to learn more. You can make a one-time donation, or a monthly contribution of as little $3.00. Thank you!.
Do you light your garden for the holiday season? This year, I hired Leaf & Limb Tree Service, because they could get up higher than I ever could. I do love subtle holiday lights. You might like this piece I wrote called Skip the Lights Fantastic at Christmastime.
GOOD BUGS:
An Introduction of Green Lacewings
Mysteries of the Dragonfly and Damselfly
I’ve seen a few, but I expected more given our heat had us in “June” during May and “July” during June. One success has been the pipevine butterfly, Battus philenor. . in the Bee Better Teaching garden in full force!
Recently, I registered the Bee Better Teaching Garden with the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. Have you looked into this?
We offer Caterpillar Support to those who are in need of butterfly caterpillars rescued. If you have butterfly caterpillars and are running out of host plants, or if you don’t want your plant defoliated, just email me at helenyoest at gmail.com. We can arrange for you to drop them off, and I will raise and release them.
Bronze fennel is the host butterfly plant for the Eastern black swallowtail butterfly. The caterpillars feed on the fennel until time for the metamorphosis.
In our area, we don’t tend to see Eastern black swallowtails until a little later in the summer. But they will come. It’s not too late to plant their host plants. While they like fennel best, the caterpillars will also feed on curly parsley, dill, and carrot tops; anything in the carrot family. To purchase the full list of host plants for butterflies within our Raleigh and Ecosystem 231, click HERE.
It is possible to see monarchs in the Raleigh area in July, but we are more likely to see a bunch of them in the fall as they migrate south again. Have you planted your milkweed?
Our bird friends don’t need supplemental feed if you have a diverse garden. but we begin to heat up; keep up the feeder so you can watch your feathered friends from the inside of the home..
One of the best all-around seeds for birds is the black-oil sunflower. This seed has a high meat-to-shell ratio, is high in fat, and is sized perfectly for many seed eaters, including black-capped chickadees, cardinals, mourning doves, finches, juncos, jays, woodpeckers, and sparrows.
Wildlife welcomes cover year-round.
As the berries in our area ripen, the birds are having a feast. Keep your birdbaths filled with fresh water, changing out at least every four days to break the mosquito larvae cycle.
Plant diversity is key!
Do you deadhead? Click HERE to learn more.
Check out this really nice bird identification and preferred foods for each bird from The Cornell Lab! Click HERE!
Are you familiar with how we can bring the birds back? Click HERE for starters.
If you enjoy seeing the birds from your window, continue to Feed The Birds!
I also fill wire suet cages with native grasses for nesting materials.
See you in the spring, friends.
Once the leaves have fallen, you might be lucky enough to find a Ruby-throated hummingbird nest! LOOK!
To learn how to attract hummingbirds to your garden, click HERE.
Invasive Plants:
By definition, did you know there is a different meaning between invasive plants vs. aggressive plants? A simple definition, invasive plants are introduced species, not native to our area, and show a tendency to spread out of control. Aggressive plants are those native to our area, and some can easily take over. We in. The Bee Better Teaching Garden keep an eye on both!
Clover
We don’t all think of clover as a weed. I certainly don’t! Do you think white clover is a weed? Think again. if you are one of the ones who want it gone in your turf, click HERE.
You may know pokeweed as American pokeweed, poke sallet, or dragonberries. All parts of the plant are poisonous, except when the foliage is about the height of a spread hand. Then it can be boiled with two water changes and eaten like cooked spinach.
The berries are highly desired by birds in the fall, and this helps the spread of pokeweed as they drop the seeds—everywhere! After consuming the berry, the seeds are spread by birds and frequently are found around the driplines of trees, shrubs, and along fencerows, and a massive amount around the plant.
If left too big, they can be hard to remove since they have a deep taproot. Try to note and remove seedlings early for an easier pull.
Pokeweed shoots can be composted in cold piles if berries are not present. Roots should not be added to cold piles, either. We cold compost in the Bee Better Naturally Teaching Garden. Cold composting is essentially letting a pile build and decompose.. It requires less effort from the gardener, yet the decomposition takes substantially longer—a year or more. We have a designated area behind some shrubs where we pile our biomass to slowly break down.
I thought you might be interested in learning how the dreaded Bradford pear had its beginning.
Lesser Celandine or Fig Buttercup, Ficaria verna
Creeping Charlie, Glechoma hederacea
Greenbriar, Smilax rotundifolia
An Introduction of Green Lacewings
Mysteries of the Dragonfly and Damselfly
Bronze fennel is the host butterfly plant for the Eastern black swallowtail butterfly. The caterpillars feed on the fennel until time for the metamorphosis.
In our area, we don’t tend to see Eastern black swallowtails until a little later in the summer. But they will come. It’s not too late to plant their host plants. While they like fennel best, the caterpillars will also feed on curly parsley, dill, and carrot tops. To purchase the full list of host plants for butterflies within our Raleigh and Ecosystem 231, click HERE.
The best time to prune flowering shrubs is right after they bloom.
Rohdea japonica is sending up new shoots. Now is a good time to cut back old leaves. Same with the cast-iron plant, Aspidistra elatior. Cut back dead leaves to welcome fresh foliage.
Salvias
Foxgloves
Phlox
Bee Better Teaching Garden grows at least 30 different fruits. Learn about our Food Forest HERE!
I’ve also begun a new Fruit Forest with strong-backed volunteers in the Joslin Garden.
What’s looking good now in the Bee Better Teaching Garden:
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum
Rue, Ruta graveolens
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris
Oregano, Origanum vulgare
Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus, formally Rosmarinus Officinalis.
In the Food Forest, the rosemary has spider mites.
Without looking at this plant with a hand lens, it’s impossible to be sure, but this type of mottled leaves is typical of the damage done by either a sucking insect or spider mites. The leaves ended up stippled and paled with such infestations because the insect or mite pierce the leaf repeatedly as they feed, which kills the cells in the leaf. Initially, the leaves look stippled, but over time the entire leaf can die.
Leafhoppers, lacewings, and whitefly are three insects that suck plant juices and cause similar damage. If you look closely, or with a hand lens, and see webs, it’s likely spider mites are the cause.
Since most people want to eat their herbs, you, of course, don’t want to use systemic or other chemical insecticides. Also, mites aren’t killed by some insecticides. You could use one of the insecticide/miticides made from neem or cinnamon, however. Another good practice in such situations is to spray the plant with a hard stream of water once a week.
There are many definitions of sustainable gardening, and through my decades as a sustainable gardener, I’ve summed it up to mean…wait for it…a garden that sustains itself and the life within! By that I mean, doing less, so much less, that it can take away the stress and much of the labor, bringing back the joy of gardening and bettering the environment.
Sustainable gardening is the concept of using gardening practices that cause no harm to the Earth and its inhabitants while working in a way to enhance it. But there is more. To me, sustainable gardening is to have all the aspects of sustaining life. For example, having a butterfly garden is not enough to just have pretty nectar-rich flowers. For a butterfly garden to be fully sustainable, plants must sustain all aspects of the butterfly’s life cycle. That means providing host plants, specific plants that area butterflies need to lay their eggs. So yes, you will have holes in your leaves; that’s the goal!
Simply put, sustainable gardening is designing your garden to sustain itself and allows us to secure our future to make the Earth better than we found it. Think of it as organic gardening taken a step further.
Design becomes important for a garden to sustain itself and provide the plants necessary to sustain wildlife fully in all respects of its lifecycle. You could just plant plants that are regionally native and provide exactly what nature does. No supplemental water, cutbacks, added mulch, pesticides, or herbicides. Yet, many want more from their gardens, so we add plant diversity. What is key is the placement of these plants.
Helen Yoest
I can’t believe it’s October already; but don’t we say that about every month from August on!
Our first hurricane of the season; Dorian. On the 5th of September, I buttoned down the Flower & Garden Show at the fair grounds and in the Bee Better Beaching Garden. As best I could, I removed all projectiles.
