In Snohomish, Washington, the arrival of spring is marked not only by the vibrant blossoming of colorful flowers but also by a lively chorus of croaking frogs. For Allison Lamb, the owner of Snohomish Lavender Farm, these amphibious neighbors bring a delightful charm to her home and business.
“As soon as we hear the frogs croak, we know spring has arrived,” Lamb shared with us.
The frogs that visit Lamb’s farm are not just a few occasional visitors; they are plentiful and highly active, making themselves at home amid the blooming flowers that surround the Lavender Farm.
“I have some flowers that line my house, and they will climb up the walls and get up in my hanging flower baskets,” Lamb explained. It’s not unusual for her to discover a frog or two hopping around her property.
However, one day, as Lamb was tending to her flower garden, she stumbled upon a surprising sight—a frog nestled in the petals of one of her dahlias, taking a peaceful nap.
“I was delighted to find a frog sleeping in one of my dahlias,” Lamb expressed.
With over 200 dahlias flourishing on her farm, Lamb soon discovered that her flowers offered more than just visual beauty and pollen for bees—they served as cozy, perfectly-sized hotels for the visiting frogs.
As the spring and summer seasons progressed, Lamb noticed an increasing number of frogs seeking refuge in her flower beds. On some days, she counted more than 10 different frogs taking shelter among the petals.
Lamb and her children turned these frog encounters into a morning routine, exploring their flower garden to find the Pacific tree frogs. For them, these frogs became a source of excitement and entertainment.
Yet, these frogs were not mere spectators in Lamb’s flower haven; they played a vital role in maintaining the health and vibrancy of the garden.
“The frogs eat the bad bugs for me,” Lamb explained.
While the frogs snugly nestled into the small petal pockets of the dahlias, other creatures also sought refuge in Lamb’s floral sanctuary. Bees found a place to rest overnight, little spiders took shelter, gardener snakes made appearances, and even salamanders, praying mantises, and caterpillars joined the diverse community within the flowers.
Among these charming inhabitants, it’s the frogs that hold a special place in Lamb’s heart. She enjoys witnessing them sleeping in the petals, their small green heads peeking out, and feels a tinge of sadness as they bid farewell at the end of summer.
“They stay in the flowers all season until the first frost comes and the flowers die,” Lamb shared.
As the flowers wither in the cold, the frogs seek warmer retreats. However, Lamb eagerly anticipates their return each spring, hoping for even more guests to grace her unique flower hotel. The annual migration of these unexpected guests has turned Lamb’s flower garden into a seasonal haven, where the delicate balance between nature’s beauty and the charming antics of its inhabitants unfolds with each passing season.
Leave a Reply