This morning, I noticed how much the Star of Bethlehem in our back garden has spread in the past year, multiplying at least threefold. After heavy rains last night, the ground was soft and it was easy to pull it by the bucket-full. Killing anything is by far my least favorite garden task, but removing invasives frees up much-needed space and can feel satisfying. I'll continue the task tomorrow and then start on the winter creeper.

An up-close look at a butterfly's wing

Native groundcovers for sun/part shade: when I planted these we had a silver maple partially shading them, but the maple was dying and nearly hollow. We had it removed this past February. Aromatic aster and rose verbena love having more light and have spread considerably. Everything else has done ok with the change, but I'm gradually transplanting some of the pussytoes and I'll find a shadier place for the celandine poppy this year.