The MagiK Garden
@themagikgarden.com
I am extremely grateful for all the love and support I've received as a first-year native plant nursery from my local (and extended) native plant community. For all the pots, plants and seeds, for helping to get my name out there, for the advice and encouragement, and for giving my plants a chance 💚
November 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I am extremely grateful for all the love and support I've received as a first-year native plant nursery from my local (and extended) native plant community. For all the pots, plants and seeds, for helping to get my name out there, for the advice and encouragement, and for giving my plants a chance 💚
Sorry I've been a bit MIA. I've been busy fall cleaning. Fall cleaning is a deep clean and organize thing so I can keep a more relaxed pace during the winter months. Spring cleaning for me is a freshening up, dusting and throwing open windows. It involves everything, including organizing my pots.
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Sorry I've been a bit MIA. I've been busy fall cleaning. Fall cleaning is a deep clean and organize thing so I can keep a more relaxed pace during the winter months. Spring cleaning for me is a freshening up, dusting and throwing open windows. It involves everything, including organizing my pots.
Carex are fun. I've gotten into collecting all the various species myself. So far, Carex fraseriana may be my among my favorite as far as unusual ones go.
I think Carex albicans is far better suited for an alternative lawn than Carex pensylvanica. Photo of one of my woodland paths - full sun & dry
I think Carex albicans is far better suited for an alternative lawn than Carex pensylvanica. Photo of one of my woodland paths - full sun & dry
November 12, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Carex are fun. I've gotten into collecting all the various species myself. So far, Carex fraseriana may be my among my favorite as far as unusual ones go.
I think Carex albicans is far better suited for an alternative lawn than Carex pensylvanica. Photo of one of my woodland paths - full sun & dry
I think Carex albicans is far better suited for an alternative lawn than Carex pensylvanica. Photo of one of my woodland paths - full sun & dry
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
When tidying before winter, carefully lift items instead of dragging them along the ground. This salamander was hiding under a bag of rocks. They will hide under just about anything outdoors, and are easily crushed if those items are carelessly moved.
November 8, 2025 at 7:23 PM
When tidying before winter, carefully lift items instead of dragging them along the ground. This salamander was hiding under a bag of rocks. They will hide under just about anything outdoors, and are easily crushed if those items are carelessly moved.
Cotinus obovatus, a rare southeastern native tree that is hardy in southeastern PA winters, has some of the most stunning, surreal fall color I've ever seen. They don't get big, topping at around 30 feet. I've shared this one before, with its blue-green leaves in summer.
November 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Cotinus obovatus, a rare southeastern native tree that is hardy in southeastern PA winters, has some of the most stunning, surreal fall color I've ever seen. They don't get big, topping at around 30 feet. I've shared this one before, with its blue-green leaves in summer.
I love seeds. 300 characters is not enough to explain all the reasons why these little perfect packages of hope are so fascinating to me. Instead, here is a photo of Hibiscus laevis I clean by rolling the fuzzy little seeds between my fingers to dislodge any weevils present before freezing & storing
November 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I love seeds. 300 characters is not enough to explain all the reasons why these little perfect packages of hope are so fascinating to me. Instead, here is a photo of Hibiscus laevis I clean by rolling the fuzzy little seeds between my fingers to dislodge any weevils present before freezing & storing
Moth almost fooled me into thinking it's a leaf. Which reminds me, leave the leaves. By removing them, you're harming these beautiful creatures. You can rake them, blow them into a pile, leave them on a flowered or turn into leaf mold (open cage) so they can escape. But leave them on your property.
November 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Moth almost fooled me into thinking it's a leaf. Which reminds me, leave the leaves. By removing them, you're harming these beautiful creatures. You can rake them, blow them into a pile, leave them on a flowered or turn into leaf mold (open cage) so they can escape. But leave them on your property.
It's quite easy to convert these raised garden boxes to protective enclosures to keep wildlife out of your pots. All you need is hardware cloth (top and bottom) and snips. I attached them using the included screws and wing nuts. Leave one end open to add and remove plants. Crates also work.
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 AM
It's quite easy to convert these raised garden boxes to protective enclosures to keep wildlife out of your pots. All you need is hardware cloth (top and bottom) and snips. I attached them using the included screws and wing nuts. Leave one end open to add and remove plants. Crates also work.
This may be overkill for some, but this is my favorite way to store seeds. I have many such boxes. Each vial holds more than enough for my needs. I struggle with stacks of envelopes or bags of bags. This makes it easier for me to organize and quickly see everything I have.
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This may be overkill for some, but this is my favorite way to store seeds. I have many such boxes. Each vial holds more than enough for my needs. I struggle with stacks of envelopes or bags of bags. This makes it easier for me to organize and quickly see everything I have.
Some views from my office as I work to winter prep my nursery stock #NativePlants
October 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Some views from my office as I work to winter prep my nursery stock #NativePlants
Summer bluets (Houstonia purpurea) are truly summer-and-fall bluets thanks to their long bloom period. Add this rare Pennsylvania native species to the list of #NativePlants for fall blooms!
October 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Summer bluets (Houstonia purpurea) are truly summer-and-fall bluets thanks to their long bloom period. Add this rare Pennsylvania native species to the list of #NativePlants for fall blooms!
October 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Have you ever seen a ginormous milkweed pod with wings and wondered what it is? It's not a milkweed, but in the same family. This one is known as anglepod, aka Gonolobus suberosus, a milkweed vine native just south of PA #NativePlants
October 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Have you ever seen a ginormous milkweed pod with wings and wondered what it is? It's not a milkweed, but in the same family. This one is known as anglepod, aka Gonolobus suberosus, a milkweed vine native just south of PA #NativePlants
Did you know beech nuts are edible and delicious? The ones that are rounded in the middle are good. Flat ones are empty. You should be able to get at least one per cluster. Save some to plant as well. Dont worry, wildlife can climb to get higher ones, so enjoy the ones within reach. #NativePlants
October 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Did you know beech nuts are edible and delicious? The ones that are rounded in the middle are good. Flat ones are empty. You should be able to get at least one per cluster. Save some to plant as well. Dont worry, wildlife can climb to get higher ones, so enjoy the ones within reach. #NativePlants
Virginia! What the hell? Rip it out!
October 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Virginia! What the hell? Rip it out!
I don't agree with falsifying information. Something I keep hearing is that people don't see bug splatter on windshields anymore because of the decline of insect populations. So I tested it (we're road-trippin'). I cleaned this 2 hrs ago. There is plenty of bug splatter.
October 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I don't agree with falsifying information. Something I keep hearing is that people don't see bug splatter on windshields anymore because of the decline of insect populations. So I tested it (we're road-trippin'). I cleaned this 2 hrs ago. There is plenty of bug splatter.
Lobelia puberula looked all sad and floppy just weeks ago despite my other Lobelias looking amazing, and now it has taken on a new life. Of course, long after the market days are done, lol. Now many of my plants are feeling renewed again in the cooler weather. Sure, why not. 😂😭
October 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Lobelia puberula looked all sad and floppy just weeks ago despite my other Lobelias looking amazing, and now it has taken on a new life. Of course, long after the market days are done, lol. Now many of my plants are feeling renewed again in the cooler weather. Sure, why not. 😂😭
Echinacea laevigata I grew from seed and planted last year decided to bloom a bit late in the season. Another started a month prior. First one white, this one pale pink. True to the epithet, all parts are smooth. I added more this year, with the goal of offering them in future years. #NativePlants
October 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Echinacea laevigata I grew from seed and planted last year decided to bloom a bit late in the season. Another started a month prior. First one white, this one pale pink. True to the epithet, all parts are smooth. I added more this year, with the goal of offering them in future years. #NativePlants
Son, your minecraft seed ended up in my garden!
Son: ohhhh, it's a rattlebox!
Me: oh, you remembered!
#NativePlants
Son: ohhhh, it's a rattlebox!
Me: oh, you remembered!
#NativePlants
October 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Son, your minecraft seed ended up in my garden!
Son: ohhhh, it's a rattlebox!
Me: oh, you remembered!
#NativePlants
Son: ohhhh, it's a rattlebox!
Me: oh, you remembered!
#NativePlants
This is why what we plant matters. Directly across from my driveway on the other side of the road is a mix of weeds, culinary mint and poison ivy. This lone aster and goldenrod seeded in together. Our plants spread beyond the garden. Are the plants you're spreading beneficial? #NativePlants
October 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
This is why what we plant matters. Directly across from my driveway on the other side of the road is a mix of weeds, culinary mint and poison ivy. This lone aster and goldenrod seeded in together. Our plants spread beyond the garden. Are the plants you're spreading beneficial? #NativePlants
They really are, both shellbark and shagbark are stunners. First photo is my shaggiest of shagbarks. Second and 3rd photos I suspect are seedlings of this one (3rd may be a sucker off the second) already starting to display the beautiful bark. The other mature shag here isn't nearly as shaggy.
October 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
They really are, both shellbark and shagbark are stunners. First photo is my shaggiest of shagbarks. Second and 3rd photos I suspect are seedlings of this one (3rd may be a sucker off the second) already starting to display the beautiful bark. The other mature shag here isn't nearly as shaggy.
I wasn't sure I'd be up to anything after getting my flu, covid and tdap vaccines yesterday on a whim. Today I decided to try moving one of my Sarracenia purpurea plugs to a hummock in my vernal pool restoration area. I noticed with it being dry, this spot was still moist. Cont'd...
September 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I wasn't sure I'd be up to anything after getting my flu, covid and tdap vaccines yesterday on a whim. Today I decided to try moving one of my Sarracenia purpurea plugs to a hummock in my vernal pool restoration area. I noticed with it being dry, this spot was still moist. Cont'd...
More photos from my September sun/part-sun garden
September 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
More photos from my September sun/part-sun garden
End-of-September bloom report (sunny garden part 1 - will post more tomorrow) #NativePlants
1.
1.
September 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
End-of-September bloom report (sunny garden part 1 - will post more tomorrow) #NativePlants
1.
1.