Mopa Mopa Plant: From Rainforest to Artwork

Welcome!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! On a recent trip, I learned about yet another amazing plant and the fascinating history behind it. Mopa Mopa tree (scientific name Elaeagia pastoensis) is native to the higher elevation, humid rainforests in southwestern Colombia where the Andes meet the Amazon. Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, it can reach 13 to 32 feet in height and is very difficult to find or cultivate outside its native region. Mopa Mopa belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which is the same botanical family which includes coffee, and the resin of the tree is the essential material behind Barniz de Pasto, or Pasto varnish, one of Colombia’s most distinctive traditional art forms. 

Mopa Mopa Tree Artwork

The material prized by artisans is concentrated around the plant's developing leaf buds and shoots. A resinous substance accumulates around these tender growing portions, forming a protective coating. Harvesters pick the sticky leaf buds and shoots of the tree, then the material is heated in water, softened, worked and cleaned until all the unwanted plant material has been removed. As the remaining material is heated, it becomes soft, pliable and elastic. Traditionally the artisans would stretch it by hand or with their teeth into paper-thin, glowing sheets.

The Process (Photo Credit: The Mask Aruba)

Modern workshops now use mechanical methods for some portions of the process, but the fundamental knowledge remains similar. Considerable skill is required because the material must remain warm and flexible without becoming unusable. The resin can occur naturally in shades ranging from yellowish to green; however, once processed the colors can be amplified before being cut and inlayed onto carved wood objects. The artisan places the colored resin over a wooden object and cuts the material with a sharp knife. Extremely fine cuts can produce leaves, flowers, birds, animals, geometric forms and elaborate scrolling patterns. Although the finished objects may look like lacquer, Mopa Mopa is something quite different. 

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Mopa mopa is not a recent discovery. Archaeological and historical evidence indicates that related resins have been used by Indigenous peoples in the region for more than a thousand years. The material had a number of uses besides for decoration. Historical evidence indicates that Mopa Mopa and related resins could serve as adhesives, sealants and protective coatings. It was also used in other ceremonial and decorative applications. The art is not simply a reflection of decorative style. It represents the survival, evolution and knowledge surrounding a particular plant, its environment and its extraordinary physical properties. 

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Symbols & Colors: In Mopa Mopa artwork, each symbol and color has a meaning. While circles represent totality (earth, wind, fire and water), rebirth and wealth, tears symbolize the elimination of sorrow and pain, while flowers bring peace, love and tranquility. Yellow symbolizes the power of the sun, red is for wisdom, green represents nature and the color blue is the representation of the cosmos and air, bringing tranquility, peace and health. 

The Mopa Mopa tree faces serious threats of decline due to deforestation, regional development, and climate change in southwest Colombia and today very few master artisans remain. On December 16, 2020 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the need to safeguard this tradition and declared Mopa Mopa art a "Cultural Heritage of Humanity". The story of the Mopa Mopa tree is a reminder that art can be forever intertwined with nature.

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It's time to plan your garden! Visit my Author Page 👈to learn about and purchase my books, each one focusing on different aspects of gardening, including landscape ideas, design principles, gardening by month for all-season interest, gardening tips and maintenance, shade gardening, gardening inspiration, indoor gardening and more. 

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee Miller @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.

Black Knot Disease on Ornamental Plum: Early Signs, Treatment, and Compacted Clay Soil

Black Knot Disease & How to Treat

Welcome to This Month in the Garden. Ornamental plum trees are prized for their beautiful spring blossoms and colorful foliage, making them a favorite in residential landscapes. Unfortunately, these trees are susceptible to Black Knot, a fungal disease that can gradually weaken and disfigure even healthy-looking specimens. While the fungus itself is the direct cause of the disease, environmental stresses, such as compacted clay soil can make ornamental plums much more vulnerable to infection and reduce their ability to recover. I have seen a substantial decline in these beautiful ornamental plum trees over the past few years and am now experiencing the same for my own tree, a valued addition to the landscape which I have enjoyed for many years. Here are some helpful signs to watch for and ways to help.    

Purple Leaf Ornamental Plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius')

What Is Black Knot?: Black Knot is a fungal disease that primarily affects trees in the Prunus genus, including ornamental plums, flowering cherries, chokecherries, and some wild plum species. The fungus infects young twigs and branches during cool, wet spring weather, and spores are spread to other trees by rain and wind, entering through tender new growth. Once established, the disease develops slowly, often taking several months before visible symptoms appear. As the disease progresses, these black growths enlarge and may completely encircle branches, restricting the flow of water and nutrients. Severely infected limbs often decline and eventually die.

Warning  Signs: Black Knot disease can be identified by the appearance of small olive-green or light brown swellings on young twigs in springtime, causing slightly enlarged or rough bark. Elongated galls gradually expand during the growing season and form hard, black, corky knots which become more obvious later in the summer or the following year.

Detecting Black Knot Disease

How to Treat Black Knot: Successful treatment requires both pruning and sanitation of tools. If you see the first signs of Black Knot Disease on your tree, immediately remove the branch. Once this is accomplished, the best time to prune is while the tree is dormant and branches are more visible. Remove infected branches during late winter on a dry day before spring growth begins. Prune at least 6–8 inches below the visible knot, and if  the infection is on a large branch, remove the entire branch if possible. After each cut, it is important to disinfect pruning tools with a solution such as 70% isopropyl alcohol. This helps reduce the chance of transferring fungal spores between branches or trees. Dispose of the infected wood and dispose of them with yard waste (where permitted). Black knots left on the ground can continue producing spores that infect other nearby trees.

Fungicide Use: Preventive fungicides can help protect healthy new growth, especially when your tree has had recurring infections. Fungicides are most effective when applied before and during the period of new shoot growth and should be used according to the product label. Fungicides will help to prevent new infections but will not cure existing knots.

Why Compacted Clay Soil Makes the Problem Worse: Many ornamental plums are planted in landscapes with heavy clay soils. While clay soils can hold nutrients, they often become highly compacted over time. This compaction reduces oxygen flow to the roots; hence, stressing the tree and leaving it open to disease. Poor drainage caused by the heavy clay soil can encourage root rot and eventual decline of the tree. When a tree is under stress, it has difficulty producing healthy new growth. While compacted soil does not cause Black Knot Disease directly, it can make ornamental plums more susceptible and slow recovery after pruning.

Identifying Compacted Clay Soil

Correcting Compacted Clay Soil: To correct compacted soil, apply organic mulch. Spread 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips beneath the tree, extending as close to the drip line as practical. Keep mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup against the bark. Another tip to help with amending the soil is to incorporate compost into surrounding planting beds or top-dress annually. As organic matter breaks down, it improves soil structure, increases pore space, and encourages beneficial soil organisms. If you detect Black Knot Disease and the soil is compacted clay, use a post  hole digger and create several 2-3 foot deep holes around the base of the tree and fill with gravel to help improve drainage. Be careful not to disturb the roots.

Can an Infected Tree Recover? Trees with numerous large knots throughout the canopy may continue to decline despite treatment. In severe cases, removal and replacement may be the most practical long-term solution, particularly if nearby susceptible trees are at risk. When caught in time, many ornamental plums have recovered from Black Knot if the disease is detected early, infected branches are removed promptly, and the tree's growing conditions are improved.

Ornamental Plum

In Conclusion: Black Knot is a serious but manageable disease of ornamental plum trees. Early detection, careful pruning, and good sanitation are essential for stopping its spread. Addressing compacted clay soil by improving aeration, adding organic matter, and protecting the root zone helps reduce stress and supports the tree's natural defenses. Healthy trees are never completely immune to disease, but they are far better equipped to withstand infection, recover from pruning, and continue providing years of beautiful spring flowers and colorful foliage with the proper monitoring and care.

Author: Lee Miller @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2026. All rights reserved.

NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Orchid Show 2026: Mr. Flower Fantastic's Concrete Jungle

NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Orchid Show 2026

Welcome to the 2026 NYBG Orchid Show virtual tour! I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show, designed by renowned artist Mr. Flower Fantastic. The theme for this year is Mr. Flower Fantastic's Concrete Jungle, a connection between nature and urban scenes, as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory transforms into a floral display of NYC landmarks. Available to the public since 2003, the NYBG orchid show runs each February through April. This year's exhibit runs from February 7th to April 26th, as the beauty of nature blends with urban landscapes.

Meet the Designer

Known as one of the most in-demand floral artists in the world, Mr. Flower Fantastic is a former graffiti artist turned floral designer. Growing up in Queens, his love of flowers began with his mother's garden. Over the years, he became a self-taught floral designer, and as his passion for designing grew, he started experimenting with various mediums and gained a presence through private events and trade shows. In 2018, his defining  moment occurred when Serena William's team invited him to create a floral interpretation of her Nike "Queen" Air max 97 sneakers (designed by Virgil Abloh). The artist created a large scale sculpture that was then presented to Serena at the U.S Open. Following that event, Mr. Flower Fantastic (AKA MFF or Flower) has worked with major brands and media including Nike, Netflix, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, and NBC Sports among others. He is now one of the most in-demand floral artists in the world. 

NYC Apartment

There is more to the story. Ironically, the artist Mr. Flower Fantastic is highly allergic to flower pollen, and has to wear a gas mask and gloves while working on displays. It turns out that the signature mask and gloves he originally wore to manage his allergies ended up becoming part of his identity. According to sources, the renowned "MFF" or "Flower" desires to remain anonymous because he wants the focus to be on his work and not on him." Usually when he's out and about in public, he wears a gas mask and gloves, both to protect his health and to hide his true identity. 

 Rhyncattleanthe Golden Angel Orchid

Now, onto the rest of the virtual tour!

NYC News Stand

Moth Orchid Display

Terrarium Mix of Orchids and Tropical Plants

Conservatory Fountain & Sitting Area

Passageway to Desert Garden

Welcome to the Desert Garden!

Desert Garden- Yucca & Cacti

Desert Garden-Barrel Cactus

Pizza Shop-Surrounded by Orchids & Sweet Flag

Apartment Balcony & Fire Escape

 Laundromat for Plants!

Tropical Greenhouse

Bromeliad (Goudaea)

Decorative Dumpster!-With Orchids & Sedge

Car Wash - Taxi Cab Created with Carnations, License Plate Orchid!

Urban Steam Vent with Mist!

Thanks for Visiting!

Mr. Flower Fantastic's love of and belief in the power of flowers truly becomes a reality in the 23rd. annual NGBT Orchid Show! I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and the virtual tour! 

👉 My Books! 👈

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations  

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2026. All rights reserved.

Winter Snow and Care of Landscape Plants: Protect Them From Damage with These Tips

Winter Landscape Care

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! With winter here and the landscape buried beneath a blanket of snow, it is a good time to review some basic maintenance tips to protect and prevent possible damage to your plants.

THE BENEFITS OF SNOW: As the temperatures plunge below freezing, a layer of snow covering landscape plants actually acts as nature's insulator, keeping the soil under the snow at a more constant temperature and shielding the plant from excess winds. This protects tree and shrub roots, perennials and bulbs from constant freeze and thaw damage. As the snow melts, landscape plants are provided with a slow release of moisture, which is ideal for the roots, while small amounts of nitrogen captured from the atmosphere act as a natural fertilizer. Insulated soil also helps to protect microbes and earthworms over the harsh winter months.

FROST HEAVING: Without snow cover,  continuous freezing and thawing can push plant roots out of the ground causing damage and possible death. The snow controls rapid temperature changes and helps to keep the plant in place. Plants such as Heuchera (Coral Bells) and Hosta are very prone to this, so a layer of snow is beneficial.

Winter Landscape Care

SNOW WEIGHTED TREE BRANCHES: While it is tempting to go outside and start removing snow from weighted branches, it is also a good time to exercise caution. Under the snow-covered branches could also be a frozen layer of ice. Any manipulating of the frozen branches could result in easy breakage and permanent damage to your tree. A helpful tip is to very carefully dig snow from around trapped branches and allow them to spring back up on their own. Never shake branches with ice. It is best to let nature take its course and allow thawing to occur. The branches will gradually regain their shape as the ice melts preventing any harm to your landscaping. Further damage can easily be avoided by wrapping the branches together with arbor tie. The cloth tie cannot be seen from the outside, will prevent future damage from another snow.

BROKEN OR DAMAGED TREE BRANCHES: Before an approaching storm, try to walk outside and inspect trees and shrubs on your property for any broken or damaged branches. If you do spot a damaged branch, tie the two split halves together by wrapping them tightly together with arbor tie. Start by wrapping the two halves tightly together and continue wrapping above and below the crack for extra support. If caught in time, the cambium (or growing layer) of the plant will repair itself and fuse the two parts of the damaged branch together. I have personally saved split branches on holly, azalea and arborvitae using this technique and the plants have recovered beautifully. Identifying these issues now and tending to them prior to the snow can mean the survival of your plant.

Outdoor Container Planters

PROTECT OUTDOOR PLANTERS: Potted outdoor plants are much more prone to winter damage. Ensure that when creating your container garden, choose plants that are cold hardy one to two zones colder than your area, in case of a deep winter freeze. Within 1-2 days before a deep freeze is to occur, give your outdoor containers a good watering. When the temperatures drop to below freezing, the roots will be more insulated, and have a supply of moisture as the snow melts. You can also move the container into a non-heated garage or place it against a wall where it is protected from the wind. Another tip is to wrap the container in bubble wrap, burlap or a towel, which will act as an insulator to help hold in the heat around the roots until the deep freeze has past.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and have found these winter gardening tips to be useful. How has the winter been treating your garden? 

IN THE NEWS: Check out my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe to receive monthly recaps of the garden, garden design and maintenance tips, and everything horticultural!

👉 Think Spring! Purchase my Books! 👈

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations  

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

For now, keep warm and as always... happy gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2026. All rights reserved.   

2025 Gardening Year in Review: Welcome Visitors!

January

Happy New Year! It's nice to see you here and welcome to my zone 7b Long Island garden as we recap the 2025 gardening season! After a very mild December of 2024, the month of January quickly diminished any thoughts of the warmer temperatures we had been experiencing. As daytime temperatures dropped below freezing and into the teens at night with high winds and a chill factor in the single digits, it made for a cold start to the month. Two small dustings of snowfall graced the landscape on the 6th and another on the morning of the 11th. The month of January brought other exciting news with the launching of my sixth book, The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants.

February

After a January with record low temperatures, the month of February brought a combination of cold windy days and moderately comfortable days, making the forecast very unpredictable. Our first significant snowfall occurred overnight on the 8th, followed by more snow on the evening of the 11th, creating a blanket of white upon the landscape. Despite the snowfall, Hellebore 'Shooting Star' was showing off its winter blooms, while the berries of 'Sky Pencil' Holly added interest to the garden. The rest of the landscape was covered in a light coating of snow, just enough to create a winter wonderland. 

March

After a windy start to March and with spring on the way, temperatures finally rose up into the upper 50’s, and the garden started to emerge from its winter sleep. It had been an unusual winter with fluctuating temperatures and very little in the way of snow as compared to years in the past. Northern winds during the month of February and into the beginning of March made it feel a lot colder than it actually was. Finally after a cold and windy start, Mother Nature had finally thrown the switch for spring to arrive. Hellebores (Lenten Rose) continued to bloom, while spring bulbs made their appearance.

April

The beginning of the month of April brought reminders of winter with cold and wind, but that did not stop the flowers from blooming! With some milder days mixed in with temperatures mainly in the 40's and 50's and a moderate amount of rain, the garden was coming to life everywhere. As the red stalks of Peony emerged from their winter's sleep, blooms of Hyacinths and Crocus could be seen throughout the garden.

May

The month of May was a busy one filled with blooms as the temperatures gradually warmed up into the 70's by day, and with frequent rain in the forecast. Every day there was something new to explore in the garden, which makes May one of my favorite months for gardening and dreaming of what future blooms are in store. Some of the blooms to be seen were those of 'Girards' Azalea and the beautiful bluish-purple blooms of Jacob's Ladder 'Golden Feathers' and Nepeta 'Cat's Meow'!

June

The month of June turned out to be one of the coolest and rainiest I can remember. The temperatures had remained mostly in the upper 60's and low 70's, with one day topping at 88 degrees, which felt like a heat wave! Foggy morning and evening skies and on and off showers delivered an abundance of moisture to the garden. Knock Out Roses, Itoh Peony 'Bartzella', Lamb's Ear, Kousa Dogwood and Spirea were all in full bloom. On Saturday June 14th, our property was on the Sayville Garden Tour and it poured rain all day, but that did not stop the gardeners as they walked the grounds. The general consensus was that, “There is something magical about a garden in the rain!”

July

After a cooler than usual June, July brought temperatures in the upper 80's and 90's with heat and humidity, and a record breaking day of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This tied July for the “hottest day on record”, along with five inches of rainfall on the 31st. The combination of heat, humidity and sufficient rain made the garden accelerate into an array of color. Blooms to be seen included Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' and 'Pow Wow 'Wild Berry', Salvia, Roses, Daylily, Veronica, Astilbe 'Sprite' and Butterfly Bush, just to name a few!

August

With a cool start to the spring and summer, then record breaking heat, the summer of 2025 ended up being our hottest summer on record. The arrival of August brought some relief with cooler temperatures in the low 80's, which was followed by another heat wave mid-month. In the garden, Crape Mrytle 'Sioux', Platycodon (Balloon Flower), Allium 'Millenium' and Hydrangea 'Firelight Tidbit' continued to be in full bloom.

September

After two months of extreme heat and drought, the seasons finally shifted into fall mode by September, with cooler temperatures in the 70's and blue, cloudless skies. September is one of my favorite months of the year as the garden is starting to transition into an array of changing colors. While new blooms appeared and some blooms keep their momentum going, the garden was a place that brought me joy as Abelia, varieties of Sedum, Roses, Lilies, and Lilyturf continued to bloom. 

October

October started off unusually mild with temperatures in the 70's and 80's, then suddenly cooled down  into the lower to upper 60's by mid-month. Our first nor'easter of the season brought an abundance of rain and wind on the 12th through the 13th. The garden did appreciate the rainfall though and was starting to show signs of autumn with its quickly changing foliage, as leaves took on hues of pink, orange and gold. As Coneflowers went to seed, blooms including Montauk Daisies and Balloon Flower continued their show.

November

The month of November started off with mild temperatures, then an artic blast brought the very first snow showers of the season on the 11th as the morning temperatures dipped into the low 30's with an afternoon high of 42 degrees. The evening brought strong wind gusts, giving a feeling like winter had arrived. Following were more normal seasonal temperatures in the 50's, bringing a sigh of relief that the much colder temperatures hopefully were on hold for a while. There were still blooms to be seen, lots of foliage transitioning, and bright red berries appearing on 'Nellie Stevens' Holly. 

December

December brought seasonal temperatures plummeting into the 30's and 40's by day and into the teens on some nights, as the garden entered dormancy. Just like that, on the morning of the 14th as we awoke, the weather predictions had became true. Our first snow had arrived and the once green landscape had turned into a snowy winter wonderland with seven inches total of snowfall. It became official...it was the largest December snowfall we have had in years. There was something about that first snow that brought a warm feeling to my heart.

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden and the virtual recap of my 2025 garden. As we begin a new year, I wish you and yours a wonderful, happy and healthy 2026 with lots of new and wonderful memories and gardens that will thrive! As always, happy gardening and thank you so much for being here!

 Sharing a Love of Gardening with my Books!

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations  

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

The Houseplant Guide: How to Easily Select & Maintain Indoor Plants

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2026. All rights reserved.