Mary Claire Rowe

Fall came early this year in our garden. As the remains of Gustov bring gentle rains to our area, our demi-centenarian oak drops its leaves in everlasting defeat. Other trees have shed some leaves, because of the heat and lack of rain; but this one, sadly, has finally given up.

It nobly tried to overcome the insult of a patio and a walkway being put on half its roots some 14 years ago. However, the long-running drought of the past few years, and a sprinkler system that just didn't quite soak it enough have caused it to fail. It will be sorely missed.

We loved the shade, the shelter from the storms, and the home for birds and squirrels alike. Once in a while from within our cozy room, we would see little hummingbirds sitting on a twig, resting from their never-ending hunt for food. The local hawk liked to lurk there, hoping for a chance encounter with something juicy.

Rarely, at late night or early pre-dawn, we heard an owl, up high, calling to another in the deep woods beyond. Chickadees and woodpeckers loved to light there, when taking turns raiding the feeder. I loved to see the nuthatches running up and down the trunk. They seem to be the happy souls of the bird world.

Squirrels loved to use it as an easy path to jump upon the roof and scamper away to their tree-top bower above the taller roof. They also hoped to use the branches to jump down on the bird feeder, but it was just too far away. That didn't keep them from always trying.

We loved its beautiful green leaves in the spring and summer, and the lovely yellow-brown falling leaves that nurtured our soil. I have always used the tons of falling leaves from our woodlands as mulch for the garden. It is natural and it is free. Most of all, the leaves are so pretty when they fall, and then, as the weather changes, they protect the roots of plants from the encroaching winter cold.

Perhaps most of all, we loved looking at the sky on winter's nights through the dark, gnarled branches. So many nights we would watch from below, as a bright full moon arched across the heavens. It helped define the space, keeping us more in touch with our small place in the whole picture. We felt protected by its arms.

So now, it is going, and we will miss it. And now I have a really big question to answer, where will we hang the bird-feeders?

FLOWER OF THE DAY: Larkspur! Oh, how I love this true-blue flower. It gives me such comfort and joy. I didn't grow the one shown today, I bought it. I saw it and just had to take it home. Every year, a wild one comes up in a field near my home, and it strives to bloom and produce seeds, before the unaware yard maintenance person mows it down as a weed. Some years it makes it, but most it doesn't, so it never has many companions. It is amazing in its resilience. To grow it in the garden, pick up a package of seeds or find it at the nursery in the spring. Larkspurs, genus Delphinium, are native to North America. There are over 250 species of larkspurs. Like most perennials, they like well-drained, composted soil, and are drought resistant. Look for this luscious blue flower and make it part of your garden. The Smith County Master Gardeners Bulb sale is scheduled for Saturday, Oct.11.

It is fantastic, so put it on your calendar!

Mary Claire Rowe
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