Six Woodland Wonders

For this Six on Saturday, I'm including five native plants waking up in our woodland, and one plant that behaves and raves and steals my heart. The first is a Yellow Violet, and I believe this is Viola pubescens, which is very common in my local area. It's a cute little buddy.



Next, we have Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)--a wonderful groundcover that persists through the growing season. Here you can see its heart-shaped foliage and unique, tiny bloom that pokes out under the cover.



This plant seems to be increasing in number on our property: Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum). This view shows the bud at its center, soon to bloom. Several other Trillium species grace our woodland, and I'll share as the season progresses.



The Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) always poke their umbrellas up through the rich earth in dramatic fashion. Dear old friends.



Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) is an amazing groundcover that competes well with invasive species, helping to protect the woodland ecosystem.

Finally, nearer the house are my dear Hellebores (H. orientalis). I know most gardeners love them, and what can I say? They're not native here, but they behave so well, and they're just so lusciously lovely. I can't imagine gardening without them.

OK, that's my "Six" for this week! Head on over to Jim's Garden Ruminations blog to see more amazing plants from around the world.

Also, join me on Instagram for a special #Ephemerals Through the Month of May meme. I'm focusing on ephemeral plants native to my area of the U.S.--plants that I'm seeing on my own land, and out and about during hikes.

Magnolias Before the Hail

Note: Photos were taken at nearby parks and public places.

Wordless Wednesday

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Almost Time for Garden Planting!

The main color in this post is green, so I'm starting with a photo of colorful Crocuses from last week. The little beauties are just about done now, so it's on to the next phase—celebrating the plants that need warmth.

In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to include an update on the seedlings I started in the sunroom in March. Our last frost date is in early May: Soon, I'll need to harden these babies off before planting.

First we have the mixed Dahlias. They're doing well; I'm so thrilled!



The California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are happy and dancing.



The three Milkweed species (Asclepias spp.) took a bit longer to emerge, but they're making progress now.



Oh, and 'The Watchman' Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) look healthy, too.



'Zowie' and 'State Fair Mix' Zinnias (Z. elegans) are always reliable.

Finally, I'm celebrating the Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) poking through the soil! Now the race is on to fast, colorful blooms.

That's my "Six" for this week, with extra flowers at the start. Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting "Six on Saturday"!

A Dancing Easter Vase on Monday

Happy Easter!

I pulled together a few odds and ends over the weekend for Easter vases. Some fillers came from the garden; others from the sunroom. This first vase appears to be dancing and celebrating spring.

The stars of this grouping are Hellebores (Helleborus × hybridus)—currently blooming with abandon in the garden. I have about six varieties, and I always find it hard to clip them for some reason—I don't want to disturb their natural beauty. But they're lovely in vases and face up in bowls.

Daffodils (Narcissus hybrids) are abundant, too, These white ones with yellow centers seem to be the first tall Daffodils to bloom in spring.



I included this dried Fiddlehead Fern frond (Matteuccia struthiopteris) for structure and a nod to the end of winter.



Also saying "bye" to winter: dried seedheads of 'Invincibelle Lace' Hydrangea (H. radiata). Because this shrub's seedheads persist through winter, it has four-season appeal.

I also grabbed two items from the sunroom, including yellow Kalanchoe (K. blossfeldiana), with its bright, cheery blooms.



And vines of English Ivy (Hedera helix), which give the arrangement its "dance."



Another vase was a quick combination of more Daffodils and a few clippings of evergreen Yew (Taxus canadensis).

So...spring is happening, and the garden is waking! What's blooming and growing in your garden and in your vases? Head on over to Cathy's blog Rambling in the Garden for the wonderful meme, "In a Vase on Monday."