A Special Announcement on This Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

As spring unfolds, nature and gardens awaken, and change happens fast! Earth Day celebrates our place in nature. Its mission is to broaden, educate, and activate the environmental movement, worldwide. On this date, 56 years ago, the first official Earth Day was celebrated.

And on this Earth Day, we have a special personal announcement to share. My friend and talented poet, Donna Donabella at Gardens Eye View, and I are celebrating the launch of our book: "A Journey of Seasonal Wisdom." The book includes Donna's amazing poetry, a unique book format we co-created and co-wrote (encouraging readers to contemplate the seasons, week by week), and prose I added to round out the prompts.

This little book is for its readers--gardeners, bloggers, family, friends, neighbors, fellow humans. The book encourages simple joy and reflection. And it's a labor of love.

Visit this link to learn more: Golden Dragonfly Press. Our publisher is offering an exclusive advance reader copy today--available to one person as a "first look" edition. The winner will be announced on Friday morning, April 24. Then, the book will be available in e-book format on Amazon, and in paperback format in late April. I think you'll want a copy, because you're part of the story!

(Here's information about Earth Day and its beginnings, including the original vision and efforts of Senator Gaylord Nelson, from Wisconsin.)

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"!