Cultivating Mushrooms

It turns out that the ideal log for inoculating with mushroom spawn are exactly what we have from the tree that came down in the March storm. It is Oak, felled in late winter when the nutrients are rich and flowing, but not yet spent on new growth. The oak logs are now about a month old which happens to be the right age to reduce the chemical defences the trees have for fungi, but not so old to be already invaded by wild fungi and bacteria. And now is the right time to inoculate with several varieties of mushroom. How lucky!
I never would have known this but there was a NY Times article about mushroom cultivation this past week which got me interested, and I read more about it online. So the pile of logs which were becoming a tiresome eyesore out front (waiting for the town to collect) now look like a pile of perfect hosts for mushrooms.
This morning I hauled five 12" diameter logs to the back, and ordered Shiitake, Maitake and Winesap 'plugs' which will be hammered into holes drilled into the logs.
added: a week has gone by and the spawn have not yet arrived.

Viburnum Carlesii

Snapped off a couple of sprigs of Viburnum Carlesii to bring to the office this morning, some from an old plant in the back (40+ years?), and some from a new one I planted 5 years ago - I intentioanlly sought out another for closer to the house. (Actually, two). Until today I thought they were all identical.
The blooms examined side-by-side are clearly different and I think the original one superior. So naturally I’m now obsessed with cloning the old variety and have already secured a low green branch for layering. Did I mis-identify the old viburnum? The original has larger, more rounded petals, clear medium pink on the back sides, blushed pink/white inside. This contrast is well shown off by the buds opening in slow sequence in each cluster. (Not unlike the Yaku rhodies). The new viburnums' buds are white, open at once, are smaller and slightly more square.
Several co-workers stopped dead in their tracks in the hall today, turned back and came over to drink in the clove vanilla fragrance. Old and new are indistinguishable, and unsurpassed, in their perfume.
Note they don't last in vase - 24 hours and they were completely spent.

Planting After The Storm

Planted 3 deciduous azaleas in the back woodlands garden, all about 15" tall and generously branched: 1 exbury azalea 'brazil' "tangerine red", and 2 viscosepalum "pale yellowish white, fragrant". These are situated where a spruce came down in the memorable March storm. Behind the azaleas a southern magnolia was planted, about 2 weeks ago, to replace the screening the spruce had afforded. The conditions should be ideal; my concern is the flaming color of the 'brazil'. Clashing colors are a risk here but there is no way to know for sure until it blooms in situ. Hoping for a vibrant contrast with the nearby rhododendrons.
Also planted Cornus Controversa Variegata out front in an area of the azalea bed, which I extended today. This bed fronted an enormous red oak, which was also dramatically lost in the storm. The Cornus I am confident will be stunning, provided it thrives.
Normal care with root balls, soil amendments, and watering were provided in all cases.

Winter Hazel and Lungwort

Once again this year the winter hazel and pulmonaria did not coincide in their peak appearance. they have shared the mossy corner for 3 years. Their first year together (when I added Mrs Moon under corylopsis sinensis) the blue / violet and chartreuse contrast was striking. I fear the timing was due to nursery conditions and the corner might let me down indefinitely.
note to plant some blue chionodoxa in the fall.