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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] Internet Message

Just a bit more on Wrens. My Mom always said (and she was full of
"Sayings") that it was a compliment if wrens came to your house to
nest and raise their families. It was a sign of a peaceful place to
be. In my opinion just about all one needs to do is buy a few bird
houses built specifically for Wrens (hole very small) and they will
come. Have the houses up early, like now, and the males will come
ahead of the hens and select their houses. The girls will follow
shortly and the fun begins. I have been told also that Wrens like
unpainted houses so we do not paint them. The five we bought this
week are plain wood. As far as cleaning them out, it is our
experience that the Wrens will do that themselves. We've actually
seen them carry stuff out of the houses. Carolyn - Perhaps the Wrens
are the main reson we do not have a slug problem (so far) I encourage
the birds. We even have a couple of bats and they eat the mosquitoes.


On another note. I am involved with the local Mississippi Valley
Hosta club and we combined with the local Water Garden Club and put
together a very beautiful display at the Symphony In Bloom flower
Show in rock Island, IL. We set up Monday through Thursday. The show
was Fri, Sat, & today. What a refreshing breath of Spring. I think I
will make it until real Spring sets in. One of of our members has a
greenhouse and he took out dormant Hostas last December 15th and
forced them into full glory. They were magnificent! So now I have
full size Wide Brim, Albo Marginata, Lancifolia, Sugar Plum Fairy,
Crown Jewel, Jester, Fragrant Bouquet, and Little Wonder under lights
in the lower level. There are still more at the greenhouse. I hope we
can keep these looking good until the weather warms enough to
"Harden" them and set them out.

A lot of the Nurseries donated their plants to the Symphony In Bloom
to be sold for that organization. It was tempting to buy some plants
but it would be a problem to keep them for two months.

Forrest in Davenport, IA
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