Yucca and The Yucca Moth in Brown County Indiana

 

        The past four years of gardening here at the lake have included many hours of intense, invasive plant removal. Between the Stilt Grass, the Bittersweet, the Russian and Autumn Olive, and brambles, it has seemed like an all out war. 

        The amazing thing is, as I remove these bad guys, the native wildflowers appear like magic. It is as if they are thanking me for giving them back their land and growing space. One of the best examples has been a large patch of Trilliums that was hidden under a massive amount of brambles. 

        Just a few days a go, I was standing on the pavilion down by the lake looking out over an area that has been the site of a massive clean up. This area along the lake was so overgrown that we could hardly walk along the edge. We wanted an area for the kids to stand on the shore and skip rocks and fish as I had done as a youngster. We have a wonderful little outcropping with three very large rocks that the kids love so play on and it had been invaded by weeds. But now all that area is clean.

                                                                                            

        This was three years ago and we still have to battle the young sprouts of Autumn Olive and bittersweet every spring. Thus my plans of seeding wild flowers and bulbs in this area has not yet come to fruition. 

       However, sometimes things work out for the best and this is the case for this area. We are able to control the invasive plants and the grassy area (this is a loose term as it is mostly Ajuga, Pussy-toes, and wild grasses) allows us to pick up the luscious droppings from the prolific persimmon tree. Plus, it has provided a wonderful space for the kids to run and play by the lake. Then again as if by magic I began to   notice the  overabundance of Yucca. It always amazes me that one little change can cause you to see a whole scene differently and notice what has always been there. 

        Yucca is everywhere on this property. All amongst the trees by the lake, in the center wild flower garden, down by the property by the highway. I got on a website that stated that the only Yucca found in Indiana has been in Johnson CO., one county over.  However, in recent years it has been used more by the nursery trade for landscape plantings.

         But why is it all over this property? This question sent me in to a deep deep dive on Yucca. 

        Yucca is not a native to Indiana.Wikipedia states that Yucca is native to the Southeastern United States. But also states that it has adapted to an "equally vast range of climate and ecological conditions". Obviously it enjoys my little piece of Brown County, Indiana.

        My mind instantly was sent back to the many camping trips we took out west and in every state, except Alaska, Hawaii and North Dakota. All six kids, plus grandma Goldie, in a wood sided station wagon. They were memorable  trips to say the least. The stuff crazy movies about vacations are made from, right?  I fondly remember my father trying to pick up a Teddy Bear Cactus to bring home. Yeah, that did not go well and ended up in an emergency room run. So perhaps the Teddy Bear Cactus was not the only bit of vegetation he attempted to nap.

        Therefore that is my story and explanation as to the Yucca invasion at the Lake. I am sticking to it as I surmise that the Yucca was quite possibly snagged on one of our Stoner Family Adventures. Dad truly loved the southwest and all it's vegetation. 

        However they got here, they are thriving. Plus they look amazing growing in the brown county stone rocks along the lake and all the other areas that they seem to love. During the summer the plant sends out long stocks that reach up into the air with beautiful white blooms, which are accompanied with a very subtle scent. 

        This shrub stays evergreen during the winter and prefers full sun. It is considered a drought-tolerant plant and by some accounts, once established can live for over 20 years.  Well, I am sure more than a few of these yuccas have been here for over 20 years, since this property has been in my family for over 60 years and I was in grade school during many of our adventures out west. 

        During this deep dive, I discovered a very interesting fact of nature.  It turns out that Yucca has a mutualistic relationship with a moth. The Yucca Moth. One can not exist with our the other. Somehow they have managed to follow the Yucca and it has moved outside its range.  It is very fascinating story, and too detailed for me to try and summarize for this blog. I have attached the links to two separate articles that share information detailing this fascinating relationship. 

 YUCCA MOTHS( Tegeticula sp.)            

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/yucca_moths.shtml        

YUCCA MOTHS 

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Yucca-Moths

        

        In the spring, I will look for this moth. and pass along any pictures. I am sure it is here as the Yucca is a mainstay in my landscape.  Thanks Dad. 

         

Pansies and Violas ....in my Heart and Seed Trays

 

        If you read my last post on instagram, you understand already my obsession with pansies. But just in case you missed it, I am going to reiterate. 

        For years, my mother and I would race to see who could find pansies first. This competition took place not only in the spring but also in the fall. After I moved from Indiana, mom would journey to Kentucky or vice versa and I would take her around to all the wealth of garden centers to locate our gems. 

        My mom lived to be 96, so in her golden ages I would just bring her pots of pansies. Each time remembering with love the numerous trips to the nurseries, literally filling the back of my jeep with out beloved flowers. She would gleefully take them to her table at lunch or pick a bunch to give to a friend or just smile and gently stroke the petals. 

        Not sure how this all got started, perhaps it was the fact that she was a Tri-Delta in college and I was a Theta, for both sororities pansies were the flower symbol. A pansies symbolizes thoughtfulness and its mini-version, violas stand for many deep emotions such as love and faithfulness. Somehow, they just seem the perfect bonding flowers to send us out each spring and fall on fun scavenger hunts. 

        Pansies do not like hot summers, however they make perfect compliments to other early spring flowers. I can stretch the growing time frame of the Violas by removing them from sunny growing spots and placing them in the shade. Often times they would surprise me by popping up in unsuspecting places. Thus successfully earning its nickname.. "Johnny-Jump Ups ". 

        For me, it is the beautiful smiling faces of the flowers, the sweet scent and the fact that I can dry the flowers heads. I am fascinated by the fact that they just shrink up to make little pansy and viola buttons.  This are great for sending in envelopes to friends and loved ones. 

        I found an anonymous quote that labeled them as "three faces under one hood". Some research states  that Violas are also called "Hearts Ease", which is just perfect for me because that is how they make me feel.

        Moving back to Indiana has caused my mind to be flooded with all these memories. I have ignited the spark within my heart to have a wealth of these beauties flooding my pots and gardens in the spring and fall.

        Consequently I am trying several different techniques to grow pansies and violas. 

#1 The pansies I had in my pots from a fall purchase were still barely hanging in there. So I have placed them in a makeshift winter greenhouse to hopefully allow them to reiamerge in the spring. (This one I fill is rather iffy.) 

#2 I have Winter Sowed several different varieties of Violas and Pansies. This method worked for me last year, but they were slow to develop. I fear that I may have waited too long to start this process. 

#3 I am also starting some seed on my seed growing station.  I read several good articles about starting pansies seedlings and I am following the advice of someone I respect and employing the technique of covering the seeds just until they germinate. Supposedly they need darkness to germinate. After all my spring seed starting is over, I will plant some seeds for the fall. 

    Lastly, I now know of several great places in close proximity to me to purchase pansies. They always have many different varieties but I an always draw to the very traditional ones that my mom and I used to seek out. 

    All this pansy and viola talk has made my "Heart at Ease."... Now  the next time I am in Atlanta, I need to get my daughter and granddaughter on board this  "Pansy Tradition Train".