Pillywiggin Postscripts

Toad Week at Pillywiggins Garden

8/23/2018

Apparently, it's Toad Week at Pillywiggins Garden. It started on Sunday as all weeks do. We decided to take the scenic route home down Toad Lake Road. It was a beautiful day & we stopped to enjoy the view.

On Tuesday Jason found a teeny-tiny toad in our garden. We've been watching what we think is the same toad for several years now and had affectionately named him Mr. Toady. Jason found the baby toad in one of Mr. Toady's favorite hangouts. Hmmm. Could it be Mr. Toady is a Mrs.?

Baby Toady

Mr. or Mrs. Toady?

Yes, I do believe it's so. Why? Because today Jason found another toad in our garden and this one was HUGE - as big as Jason's hand! It seems we have the entire Toad Family living in our gardens. Maybe we should rename them Small, Medium & Large?

We love sharing our gardens with toads. They eat insects, grubs and the slugs that attack our hosta. We're also happy to share our gardens with tree frogs. Several years ago we found a baby tree frog hiding in the hydrangea next to our door. Each year since we've spotted a tree frog hanging out under our porch light which sits just above the same hydrangea. We think it's a Gray Tree Frog or possibly a Cope's Gray Tree Frog. It's hard to tell because they share much of the same territory and are almost indistinguishable in appearance.

Did you know...

The average lifespan of the American Toad is 10 to 12 years.
The average lifespan of Gray Tree Frogs is 7 to 9 years.
The average lifespan of the Cope's Gray Tree Frog is 2-1/2 to 7 years.
One frog can eat over 100 insects a night!

I wonder what we'll find next? Anything's possible in Pillywiggins Garden!
Follow our blog or "Like Us" on Facebook to stay tuned.

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Hummingbird... Moth?!?

8/17/2018

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Everyone loves hummingbirds but how many are familiar with the hummingbird moth? I never knew they existed until about 10 years ago. We were at a party and I was wandering around the yard admiring the flower gardens, ponds & statuary when I spotted a large flowering shrub buzzing with tiny hummingbirds. It was near dusk but I could see that something wasn't quite right with these little birds. They were smaller than usual & they looked a little...off. Maybe they were babies? I motioned for Jason excited to show him my unusual find. "They're not hummingbirds," he laughed. "They're hummingbird MOTHS. Bugs, not birds." Honestly, I thought he was pulling my leg. How had I not seen these magnificent creatures before?!?!

I was thrilled when Jason came home from work this week with video of a hummingbird moth in action. I couldn't wait to share it with our readers!

The 2nd clip below was filmed in slow motion. And the moth is still a little too fast to catch a good look at him.

Hummingbird moths are widespread throughout North America. I look for them now but I don't see them often. Or maybe I do but I'm mistaking them for hummingbirds?

Hummingbird moths are about half the size of a ruby throated hummingbird.
Hummingbirds & hummingbird moths are both nectar feeders that are attracted to many of the same flowering plants.
Hummingbird moths have proboscis, not beaks. But, if you spot them while they're feeding their proboscis do resemble beaks when unfurled.
A hummingbird moth's wings buzz when they hover just like hummingbird wings. They can fly sideways & backwards too. Unlike hummingbirds, the moths have antenna and 4 wings that are almost transparent.
Hummingbird moths are members of the Sphinx moth family. There are 4 species of hummingbird moths in North America.
The Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris Thysbe) is the one most likely to be spotted in our area.

The Pillywiggin Opinion

In most cases, especially in our area, the hummingbird moth's larvae does little damage to plants. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves. A horned larvae will emerge to feed on the leaves but it's not much of a problem/nuisance for gardeners around here. Adult hummingbird moths assist in pollination and they are beautiful, interesting additions to the garden.

We say invite them in!

Feed & Attract Hummingbird Moths

Butterfly bush
Phlox
Dame's Rocket/Sweet Rocket
Verbena

Habitat for Hummingbird Moth Larvae

Honeysuckle
Vibernum
Cherry Trees
Plum Trees

Have you found something cool in your gardens lately? Share a photo with us on Facebook!

If you want something cool in your garden... Call Upon the Pillywiggins!

Warm Glass ~ Cool Gourds ~ Enchanting Gardens

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Pop! Goes the Tulips

5/21/2018

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A little rain, a little sunshine & my tulips are popping! I thought my tulips were beautiful Saturday. Today, they are absolutely stunning. Pretty impressive for bargain bulbs. I purchased these last fall at Menards in Traverse City. Most were $2.99 for 12-15 bulbs.

My viburnum is in bloom. Mmmmmm. It smells so sweet.

It won't be long before our lilacs bloom.
This lilac was salvaged from the old Charlevoix High School grounds.
(Now the Charlevoix Public Library parking lot.)
Thanks Fitz!

It looks like it's going to be a good year for fruit!

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