February 9 2008

No matter the season, every visit to Merrimac Farm highlights something special. Cedar Waxwings, Bluebirds and Yellow-rumped Warblers have been gathering in the cedar trees at the front of the stone house. White-throated Sparrows cluster around the springhouse and the snowdrops someone once planted by the pourch are already in bloom.

Winter offers a unique view of forests. Many trees are bare, the landscape is more open and subtle things that are often lost in the hurrah of spring have their time to shine. The native Coralberry's purple-red berries brighten the winter woods and are easy to notice. Scattered throughout Merrimac Farm, coralberry forms dense thickets that are usually found in upland areas.

Coralberries are multi-use wildlife plants. The berries linger into winter and they are a great source of food for Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, Cardinals, and others. In the spring, small greenish flowers attract Ruby-throated Humingbirds and Hummingbird Clearwing moth caterpillars eat the leaves.

Throughout the year, Coralberry thickets provide cover for wild turkey, bobwhite, thrushes and others. It is not a favorite of deer, but loved by butterflies and recommended for butterfly gardens.