From the fluffy down on a swan chick to the brilliant spiral on a King Bird-of-Paradise tail, feathers are remarkable not just in the way they look to the naked eye, but also for their intricate microstructure. Understanding feather anatomy at the microscopic level provides insight into how feathers function.. Read this brief explanation of feather structure from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Their Bird Academy provides online courses and access to live events from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
THE GCA ANNOUNCES THE 2022 PLANT OF THE YEAR: MONTINE MCDANIEL FREEMAN MEDAL
The GCA Freeman Medal was established to highlight underutilized, but highly worthy North American native plants: trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, and perennials. The goal is to encourage their use in the landscape and make them familiar to gardeners and more available in nurseries. Read more about this year’s winners.
HOW TO BOOST HELLEBORES LONGEVITY
Hellebores add a bold elegance to smaller designs, and are particularly beautiful when placed on the edge of larger arrangements, and on their own, within petite bud vases. Their deep pink, gentle blush and sultry aubergine tones, are undeniably romantic. Read excerpts from this brilliant guide from British Floral Designer, Phillipa Craddock to further encourage using these elegant seasonal stems..
PRACTICING ECOLOGICAL HORTICULTURE IN YOUR OWN GARDEN
Rather than following the common practice of planting and transplanting in spring, for instance, the Director of Horticulture at the Brooklyn Bridge Park suggests shifting virtually all of that activity to autumn — and not cutting back most perennials as the season winds down. Read this recent article from The NY Times written by Margaret Roach about a new approach to fall garden maintenance.
ADDING NATIVE PLANTS, NOT BIRD FEEDERS, PREVENTS THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AMONG SONGBIRDS
A salmonella outbreak occurred in several parts of the United States in winter and spring 2021. It is a disease that pops up with some regularity, and can be spread via concentrations of birds at feeders. Read more about how native blooms, grasses and shrubs naturally nourish, while feeders can spread this deadly disease.