12/21/11 SNOWBERRIES, AND THE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SNOWBERRY BUSHES

SUNRISE ON THE SHORTEST DAY OF HE YEAR

SNOWBERRRIES

Wednesday, 8:00 AM.  30 degrees, wind WSW, calm.  The sky is mostly overcast and the barometer is down.  The shortest day of the year will be even shorter if it is overcast in the late afternoon. It will be a relief to see the days getting longer.
        Snowberry, Symphorocarpos albus, in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) is native from Ontario south to the northeastern US and northern Midwest.  It thrives on poor soil, is shade tolerant and suckers profusely, so it is valuable for holding banks, etc.  Its’ pink flowers are insignificant, but the large white berries are very effective in the winter landscape if there is no snow.  In other words, it is interesting when it is interesting.  Another species in the genus is S. orbiculatus, with the common names of coralberry and Indiancurrant, which has more obvious pink flowers and attractive pink to red fruits.
        Quote of the week, by  Vice President Biden: “The Taliban is not, per se, our enemy.” What? Oh, well, in that case we can slink out of Afghanistan with our tails between our legs and not worry about what happens to the women and children of that wretched country when we’re gone.