Pink ladyslippers are almost impossible to transplant because they have such a deep taproot and also such finicky growing conditions (under pine trees). They depend on a certain quality dappled winter shade -- so I never know how many we'll have each spring (never fewer than 12 nor more, I think, than 46). They also depend on naive bees for pollination...the flower encloses nothing useful for a bee, but it has to attract them twice.

This afternoon I spritzled the area with large carnivore urine...and will continue to do it. Maybe I can permanently discourage those woodchucks. A couple weeks ago they (or some critter) nibbled the tops off the Egyptian onions in the half barrel up close to the deck and also dug in one of the nasturtium planted planters on the deck. Cheeky! (Deer sometimes get at the hostas.)

I got a bunch of little niggling things done today. Satisfying, though.

Linn