Occasionally, there is a cost to my inattentive ways. A Flame Thrower redbud (Cercis canadensis Flame Thrower) planted in late summer was initially watered, then neglected until I noticed it defoliating more rapidly than other redbuds in our continuing period of minimal rainfall from late summer into autumn.

I did not intend to push the redbud to the brink, and even after I deep watered several times, the leaf drop continued. Yes, my inattention stems at least partially from laziness, but so many plants have thrived despite my inaction over decades of gardening that nature has earned my trust.

I am relieved that the redbud has been saved. Of course, early April flowers and mid-month leaves will confirm my observation, but today I see swollen buds on most branches that match ones on long established redbuds in the garden that held their leaves until recent days.

The newly planted Wedding Cake dogwood (Cornus contoversa ‘Variegata’) was immediately discovered by grazing deer. In early autumn I cease my irregular routine to spray a repellent to protect hostas, but there are evergreens that are more vulnerable as leaves fall. I’ll spray early in November, and hungry deer a year ago showed me that a second, late winter repellent spray is needed.

The very small dogwood was still in leaf, but no more after deer nibbled all but one. Deer have also rubbed the bark of a Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) and a tall witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) nearby, so the repellent is needed right away to protect evergreen aucubas, azaleas, and the Wheel tree (Trochodendron arailiodes) that was damaged two years ago. The dogwood should be fine.