Nature Note:Good Planting Weather

The past few days have brought cold and wet conditions.Although unpleasant,these have protected hay fever sufferers from tree pollen flying around and getting into their bodies.They have also presented growers with a good chance to plant shrubs and trees.It is easier to dig the moist earth,and it isn't necessary to water the newly planted shrubs and trees.I planted some holly trees to complement a female holly I had planted last year.Another holly,a male plant,didn't survive the winter.It had been nibbled by a cottontail rabbit.The female holly made it somehow,so I planted her a new male,as well as a second female.Without a male tree,the female hollies cannot produce their bright red berries in the autumn.The new hollies are of the Blue cultivar,while the older female is of the China cultivar.