Posts By: Dandy Lion

My name is Danforth Lion. Most people just call me Dandy. I live here in Norfolk Botanical Garden because it is such a great place for someone like me. It is the perfect environment for me to grow, there are lots of fantastic plants for me to hang out with and I get to see a lot of interesting people. Unfortunately there are some people who don’t like me much – namely the gardeners who work here. They are always trying to get rid of me, but I just move around. You never know where I will pop up. I am starting this blog so you can get to know me a little better, but mostly so I can tell you about all the neat things I see happening here at the Garden. It is amazing how much stuff goes on around here. Plus I can share all the gossip about the other plants that live here. A little about me. I am a fairly short fellow – I stand around 4 inches tall. I have lots of green leaves and I really like to get my feet dirty – I dig my toes as deep into the ground as I can. Like many Americans, my ancestors came from Europe. They came over with early colonists – in fact they came as an invited guest. I think it was because they were pretty good in the kitchen – you know, making salads and wine for example. In the 20th century, when everyone started getting excited about having pretty grass lawns people started calling us names like “weed” and kicking us out. It kind of hurts. At least some people like us still – mostly kids. I think they really like the older folks with the white fluffy hair. Anyway, we are a . . . Uh-oh! Here comes someone from the grounds staff so I gotta go. Talk to you later

Azalea Festival Week

Posted April 17th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Natural Areas, Perennials.

I have moved across the canal, through the barricaded area around the eagles’ nest (something people can’t do – ha ha) and I have set up under a tree across from the Matson Garden. Here I have a great view into Renaissance Court, so I will be able to see the coronation of the Azalea…

At a Crossroads

Posted April 9th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Annuals, Formal Gardens, Perennials, Shrubs.

It has been cool and damp for four or five days now, but I have found the hottest spot in the garden. I’m in a small planting bed on the east end of NATO bridge, at a very busy crossroads in the garden. If I were a little taller, I could stand here like the…

April Blooms

Posted April 1st, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Formal Gardens, Perennials, Shrubs.

Happy April Fools! I thought about writing a nice blog about how Scott’s had come out with a new Weed N Feed product that killed everything but dandelions and how the green industry hailed this revolutionary new breakthrough, but instead I threatened the webmaster that I would stop writing blogs if he didn’t post my…

Garden Hideaway

Posted March 24th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Natural Areas, Shrubs.

It’s spring and the garden is certainly starting to burst with flowers. Daffodils, cherries, magnolias and many other plants are putting out a rainbow of color. Just like the flowers, people are starting to come out as well. On warm sunny days, they pop up everywhere in the garden enjoying the flowers, the fresh air,…

Shining in the Sun

Posted March 17th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Natural Areas, Trees.

I’m wearing my green today, are you? Of course I wear green everyday. Today I am sitting in the wildflower meadow, near the end of NATO vista. The meadow was mowed down a few weeks ago so I don’t think any gardener is going to come looking for me here. With all the grasses and…

Finding a Secret Garden

Posted March 10th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Formal Gardens, Perennials.

I’ve been sitting here in the Fragrance Garden for a few days. Raise your hand (or leaf) if you know where that is. A lot of people don’t know, but it’s been fun watching them discover it. For the last week and a half, the gardeners have been tearing up the walkway in the boat…

Leap Day

Posted February 29th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Shrubs, Trees.

Today is leap day – an extra day in the year for me to enjoy the garden. The weather has gotten a little colder lately, but the plants don’t seem to mind. I have been popping up all over the garden this last week, because there has been much to see. I spent some time…

The Color of the Garden

Posted February 22nd, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Perennials, Shrubs, Trees.

Today is a wonderful cold rainy day. I love being in the Garden on a day like this and it’s a shame that so few people will enjoy it. Cold wet weather means most people who visit the Garden today are coming for a meeting or a class inside a building. They will dash from…

Love is in the Air – Along with a Little Snow

Posted February 14th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Formal Gardens, Perennials, Shrubs.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone has a nice day with their loved ones. I just love being here in the Garden on such a beautiful day. Yesterday was such a lovely rainy day and then we had a nice dusting of snow. Just the right amount for someone my height – a little bit…

Fresh Air!

Posted February 6th, 2008 by Dandy Lion & filed under Perennials.

Whew, I have finally made it outside. I’ve been stuck in the Tropical Display House for the last two weeks. At first, it wasn’t so bad – nice and warm and lots of interesting plants. But I’m the rugged outdoor type and long for fresh air. Besides, several things happened that made me want to…

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