Maypop Hill Nursery newsletter, homesteading, gardening, native plants

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An occasional report of what’s growing at Maypop Hill Nursery and the Miley homestead in
An occasional report of what’s growing at Maypop Hill Nursery and the Miley homestead in
Norwood, LA; to subscribe to the free newsletter, contact us by email:
Norwood, LA; to subscribe to the free newsletter, contact us by email: maypophill@gmail.com
maypophill@gmail.com.
.
Website:
Website: maypophill.com
maypophill.com
The Maypop Hill
The Maypop Hill
Newsletter
Newsletter
April 2023
April 2023
And then
…
welp!
winter
welked it.
.
On March
18, the
temperature
dropped to
24 degrees.
Our colorful
native
azales and
fringetree
(which we
call the
cloudtree)
turned to
dried brown
flowers and
foliage. The
leaves will
regrow, but
flowers will
not return
until next
year.
Spring
has
sprung
!

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What's new on Maypop Hill?
Not really new
but a lovely volunteer wildflower which
surprised us in a new place –
Prairie Nymph, Herbertia lahue
After taking out some
volunteer live oaks along the
dog yard fence, we decided
to make a new permaculture
bed. The freezing
temperature wilted leaves of
a basswood
(Tilia americana), which will
be joined by other plants
using Food Forest ideas.
See more info on page 3.
Before we bought our
property in 1984, Maypop
Hill had probably been
farmed for cotton for
donkey's years.
We promptly planted two
small live oaks, which
have since grown into
mature trees. When
nature gives you shade,
put a new swing under it.
And drink lemonade (not
pictured)
The newly-planted
cowcumber,
Magnolia macrophylla, had
sprouted its characteristic
large leaves when the freeze
wilted it. This is the fifth
cowcumber we've planted.
Alas, numbers 1 through 4
died. A tricky tree to
establish. We studied the
ones at the arboretum in
Gloster, Mississippi, and
imitated their conditions. We
chose a hilly location for good
drainage and full sun. We
also added an organic
fertilizer with mycorrhiza, a
natural soil fungus which
benefits many plants.
A large family of
new caterpillars
showed up. Linda
Auld, the Bug Lady
of New Orleans,
identified it as the
Spanish Moth.
fingers crossed

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Maypop Hill Nursery
& Publications
4979 Spec Garig Rd.,
Norwood, LA
Betty & LJ Miley,
specializing in native
plants of the South
maypophill@gmail.com
web: maypophill.com
Geaux native!
What is Maypop Hill's favorite ground cover? ▼
Lawn grass?
Hardly, we yawn at lawns, and so do butterflies
Gravel, pine straw, wood chips, hay?
We use all of these for practical purposes
Plants?
Lyreleaf Sage, Wild violets, Green-and-Gold
(Chrysogonum virginianum) ►
other spreading and low-growing, almost
evergreen perennials that need little tending.
What is Maypop Hill's “walkability factor”?
Barefoot barely bearable? um, well, no, not so much
Flip flop friendly? maybe, near the driveway which we mow now and then
Better wear boots and brogans? oh, yes, highly recommended
* We do try to control fire ants with this recipe:
¼ cup orange oil, ½ cup Dawn detergent, one gallon water;
mix and pour; safe for plants and animals, fast-acting
* poison ivy: Benadryl spray – no lotions or creams to spread the itch
Events we plan to attend
- Saturday, April 15; 8 AM to noon, 7950 Independence Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Friends of the Botanic garden and BREC
- Saturday, April 22, Pride-Chaneyville Library, Baton Rouge,
10 Am to 2 PM, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Rd.
Pride will be hosting our annual Community History Festival at
our library! This year we have a sporting theme titled
“The Sportsman’s Life.” It will hark back to the old days,
celebrating the sportsman’s life throughout our area, and
passing down Sportsman wisdom to the current day.
We will have everything from local sports heroes, oral
histories, girl scouts, boy scouts, Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries,
LSU’s Renewable and Natural Resources Department, local
hunting, fishing, sports booths, football, basketball, baseball,
camping, rodeo cowboys, parks and recreation, hiking, artisan
BBQ and hot sauce cooking demos, and more! We will have
food, crafts, games, guest speakers, and music, including an
exclusive author talk and book signing with famed chef
Philippe Parola on his new book “Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!:
Featuring 40 Invasive Species with Recipes,” followed by a
tasting of his delicious invasive game gumbo, as well as
information displays and decorations for our theme this year
for the public to enjoy.
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