What was it that Dorothy said???
"...[I]f I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard...."????
Why does it take so long for me to learn some lessons???
I have lamented the (perceived) "fact" that we had no bittersweet in these parts....Although maps indicate that it grows (prolifically and profusely) in our area, I had, in all my years here, never seen it.
I have heard it is so invasive here, that it is illegal to harvest it.
Yet, I have not seen it......
I have searched ditches, roadsides, and thickets while driving (ummm, yeah, endangering all sorts of species of living-kind)....
But have never found any here.....or remotely "near" here....(Nod, I mean....)
Consequently, the last several years, I have taken to searching out those more "blessed" than me and purchasing online strands of the precious berry-laden garland that my soul of autumn so craves....
But today, I wandered to the edge of our very own property, and saw the most miraculous thing....
No berries.....Guess there has to be a "male" and a "female".....but I have hope.
And hope is a wondrous thing.
Wishing you all a hope-filled day......
18 comments:
Ha how funny! Lucky you! I purchased bittersweet on Ebay and waited with excitement for it's arrival. Finally after 10 days of travel it arrived with dried leaves in crumbs and the berries few. I was so disappointed. I wish it would grow here in Arizona.
Audrey
Well how awesome is that?! Hope is a good thing!
hope springs eternal! Take care my friend,
I would not even know what the leaves look like in the wild...too cool..hopefully you will have berries next year. Glad to see you are back to blogging again my friend. You are missed. Take care, Janice
Awesome...maybe the berries will come next year...we don't have it here at all. Enjoy!!
Ok, so let me get this straight. You wished for it, you searched for it and suddenly you found it in your backyard?? Hmmm, I'm gonna try something. I wish for a bag of money, I've searched for a bag of money......(just a sec honey, going to look out back)
Hehehe
The more it's picked, the less the birds have to eat, the less seeds are dispersed for propagation. We used to have a lot in this area and some started picking it to sell and now it's rare to find. Always leave some for the birds! Maybe next year it will be fertile!
Sorry but the red leafed vine looks like Virginia Creeper, not bittersweet. Bittersweet has smaller single leaves that do not seem to turn red [at least not here.] I always harvested it on the edges of the salt marsh but this year , post H.Sandy, I am finding none. [Hope I am wrong about the Virginai Creeper...if not, enjoy its brilliant red, and watch out for poison ivy & p. oak!]
lizzy
Evening Miss Cranky, wow, lucky you to find it, so beautiful...I find bittersweet growing along the banks at the lake we go too......Five years ago I bought bittersweet male and female plants at a nursery, they grew beautiful but never any berries, so sad......Fall Blessings Francine.
I'm with Kim I want a bag of money!
Cute post, Ms.Crow! It is invasive here, but I love the color anyway!
So many people have picked it here to sell that we who knew where it was can no longer find any. Yours will probably produce nice berries and pods next year. It really does remind us all of fall and it is very pretty for decorating. I hope you get some for this year.
Have a beautiful week!
I too have been searching for bittersweet...maybe I should look up in nod, I will be going up your way in two weeks (Tomahawk) I can't even find people around here that are selling it. :( Here is hoping that you get berries next year!
Be blessed,
Cindi
Hi Robin,
I too love bittersweet and to think you might actually have your own plants is just lovely for you!! I would not know what it looks like unless I actually saw the berries, but as you said, Hoping is always a good thing!!
I remember once that I really wanted some little crab apples and literally looked everywhere to no avail! Then one day I was breakfasting at my favorite restaurant, looked out the window, and right in front of me was a beautiful crab apple tree, LOADED with those tiny little apples!!
After a quick chat with the owner for permission, I flew out picked as many as my bag would hold!! Happy memories and hoping for some for you for next year!
Take care and sending warmest hugs~~
Julie
I too have searched and searched...but no luck!
tried for years to raise it. Had 3 plants and never got a berry. Finally Curtis took it all out. It was a sad day for me.lol I too have no bittersweet. We are pitiful.
Hi Robin...oh my I would not know what a leaf looked like either if it didn't have the berries on it.
I bought 2 Bittersweet plants this year and they are planted now - they came already with nice large berries - it's a male/female species and so in a few years maybe I'll have some of my own.
Being illegal to pick in Wisconsin I know it's hard to find.
Flea markets this time of year sell a lot of it.
There's a huuuuge one this Sunday in Elkhorn, WI - just a 3 to 3-1/2 hours drive for you. They sell lots of Bittersweet in big clumps.
Karen
What is it about bittersweet? Makes my heart skip a beat? hehehe... is it the color orange? I don't know... but I sure do love everything about fall!!!! OLM
I had a hard time finding it here in Michigan to buy plant and grow - searched forever - finally found a male & female and they've covered an arbor but no berries yet. Gotta love those little joyful surprises - take care Robin ~*~Lisa
Post a Comment