The first snow of the season fell on Massachusetts, eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island this morning. It sent many gold finches, tufted, titmice , nuthatches and other birds to the feeders before dawn.
In the withered perennial garden, there were more birds – mostly finches – feasting on the seeds of cultured plants and weeds left standing. High winds had blown seeds of goldenrod, beebalm, and Queen Anne’s Lace to the ground, and the birds scooped them up.
We encourage native “weeds” to find their way into the garden to feed the critters that depend on them.
We also love to look at the plants after they have withered and stand in contrast to winter’s snow.
We appreciate them even more since receiving a copy of Weeds and Wildflowers in Winter by Lauren Brown, a beautiful and helpful guide for plant lovers.
Her pen-and-ink drawings are lovely, and her text is succinct.
For anyone who lives and walks in the Northeast, Weeds and Wildflowers in Winter would be a perfect holiday gift.
If you’d like to learn how to sketch wildflowers, check out the wonderful blog, Let’s Paint Nature.
Outdoor Living in New England 