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Jean Wirth

@jwirth.bsky.social

1.5K followers 930 following 950 posts

Slowly removing lawn, replacing with native plants. My one small step for wildlife, climate, anxiety. Reading, learning to play the ukelele, front porch birding and nature observing. Trying to stay informed but not stressed out.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 15h

Interesting, Stephanie. I think you’re right.

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 1d

Sounds like you do it all, Ellen! So far, I’ve avoided drugs too. Unfortunately, my cholesterol levels have been creeping up and the doctor is pushing for statins. I’m still trying to control it with diet and exercise, but it’s likely genetic. 🤞

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 1d

If you’re not a gym joiner but need instruction and encouragement, I highly recommend Senior Fitness with Meredith, which you can find on YouTube and the web.

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 6d

I hope you’re right. 🤞

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you, Eli. It’s a purple dome aster that I’ve had for 3 or 4 years, but this is the first time it actually did something. I hope that means it is well established and will continue to thrive.

I’m in ecoregion 64c, Piedmont Uplands. I will try to remember to tag that with plant photos.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 9d

There have not been many butterflies around my Maryland garden for the past few weeks, so I was thrilled to have this swallowtail drop by. 🌱 #nativeplants #butterflies

An Eastern yellow swallowtail butterfly on the magenta flowers of an aster.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 23d

Thank you, Phoebe.

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 26d

I’ll dig mine out or cut them to the ground at the first sign of problems next year. As their common name says, they are showy if all goes well. I have another type of goldenrod that did not succumb to rust, so maybe I’ll just stick with that.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · 26d

All of my Showy Goldenrod plants got rust, I think, early on in the wet weather. I should have cut them down then, instead of having brown, dying plants all over the garden all summer.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 14

I saw this pretty little moth on my morning walk. iNaturalist says it’s likely a pale beauty moth. #moths #nature

A white moth, wings open, with a subtle striped appearance on a brown oak leaf in the grass.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 13

Beautiful but fierce.

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 13

They are!

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 13

Perched on the crook that holds the hummingbird feeder, the female Ruby throated hummingbird is alert for incoming competition. #birds

A female Ruby throated hummingbird perched on the crook that holds the hummingbird feeder.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 11

Last night I started reading Starter Villain for the same reason.

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 11

😩

Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 11

They certainly do. Unfortunately, I didn’t select the best site for them, aesthetically. Also, they seed themselves profusely, and I could end up with an entire yard of wingstem along with black-eyed Susan, if I’m not careful.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 11

Wingstem flowers are brightening up the garden, but the drought has all the leaves on the 6-8 foot stems drooping down. #nativeplants 🌱

The flower clusters of a wingstem plant, some in tight green spikes and others fully open with bright yellow petals.

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Jean Wirth @jwirth.bsky.social · Sep 10

The Ruby throated hummingbird, perched on the honeysuckle vine, appears to be enjoying the morning drizzle from the protection of the porch. #birds #nativeplants