
We've had a bit of warmth, and the garden is popping. I'm cheating a little: I decided to include only native plants for this Six on Saturday post, and I'll also join in with Wildflower Wednesday.

Not many native plants are blooming on our property, but a few are starting, including Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica). They're tiny flowers, about the size of my thumbnail, and they grow in clumps. The pink pollen and hardiness make this plant a unique and graceful, but tough, little bloomer. Another bonus: Rabbits don't eat it.

Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) isn't blooming yet, but its foliage is as interesting as its flowers. It's a great, naturally occurring woodland rambler that dots the forest floor.

I don't recall seeing Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) in our little woodland before, although I've seen it many times during hikes in the area. (See the photo at the beginning of this post.) I hope this little clump will continue to thrive.

Though Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera), technically, isn't native in my exact location, it's native two counties to my south. And with the warming climate, it's commonly found in my area now. I planted this vine a few years ago--it's now growing up and over the arbor. Yay. I'll share more photos when it's blooming later in the summer.

I was surprised to see that Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)--a long-time, naturally occurring plant on my property--is blooming. I'd seen the foliage previously this spring, but now most of the plants have flowers, too. They're unique in many ways, including their shape, appearance, and downward-facing blooms.

For number six, let's celebrate Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). I planted seeds for several patches of these a few years ago, and promptly discovered that rabbits eat them. Ugh. The next year, I placed caging around them, and the rabbits haven't caused much damage since. Last spring, I happily discovered they're now abundant throughout the woodland; uncaged! Are there too many for the rabbits to destroy? I don't know, but I think the buds are even prettier than the flowers.
For more examples of gardening fun around the world, visit Garden Ruminations for Six on Saturday. On Wednesday, head on over to Clay and Limestone for Wildflower Wednesday.
Happy Easter!