April 22, 2023

Six Ephemerals on Saturday

spring beauties buds

It's a crazy spring here in Southern Wisconsin! While April is always a variable month, it's been terribly dramatic this year. We had a week of summer-like weather (70s/80s F) the second week of the month, followed by wintry/early spring temps since. All the plants got going during the warm stretch, only to be covered in snow and cold weather the following week.

As we approach May, the forecast looks a little better. (Fingers crossed.) I'm joining in with Garden Ruminations' Six on Saturday meme: highlighting six things of note in the garden. The items I'm sharing are spring ephemeral plants that bloom for a short time in spring, and then fade.

Most shared here are long-time friends, planted by Mother Nature, that have appeared on our property every spring since we moved in two decades ago.

virginia bluebells

1. The exception is the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). I planted these because I like them. The conditions are right and they are native plants. The only challenge is that rabbits like to eat them. So...because the rabbits have few predators here, mine must be caged. The plants are starting to spread beyond the cages, so I've added native Alliums around them to help keep the rabbits at bay.

wild ginger

2. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is thriving in and at the edge of the woods. The fuzzy foliage and tiny, bell-shaped red blooms at the base are enchanting.

virginia waterleaf

3. Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) is a happy groundcover that blooms a little later in the spring. I'm cheating just a bit with this one; it's not a true ephemeral, but the flowers bloom and fade quickly in May.

spring beauties

4. This has been the year for Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica). They've been blooming for a couple of weeks now: closing up during nighttime and cooler weather (see top photo), and re-bursting with pink pollen given warmth and sunshine.

red trillium

5. The Trilliums have emerged, which usually marks the end of nighttime freezing temps. While the Great White Trilliums (T. grandiflorum) have barely emerged, the Red Trilliums (T. erectum) (shown here) are just about to bloom.

mayapple

6. Finally, the large patch of Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) is about to dominate its hillside at the back of our woodland. It's quite a dramatic transformation to see the "umbrella" foliage fully open.

Spring is here, even if it's taking two steps forward and one step back.

24 comments:

  1. Lovely WI natives, ones I do not have (yet). It is nice to see things pushing up and showing signs of blooming!

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    1. Spring is strange this year, but it's happening. Fingers crossed that we'll see decent weather next week and beyond...

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  2. All lovely plants, Beth - sadly, none of which would have a chance of survival in my part of the country.

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    1. Thanks, Kris. Most of these were here when we moved in, and they seem like old friends. It makes up, somewhat, for all the winter waiting. LOL.

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  3. Such pretty natives. It sounds like you are in the midst of typical spring weather. The Mayapples pushing through look so strong!

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    1. The Mayapples are hardy and hearty little buddies. Actually, this spring is even more extreme than it usually is (for us). April is always changeable, but I don't remember, in all the years I've lived here, a full week of 70s/80s followed by extended cold weather. It's been hard on the garden and hard on the person.

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  4. I kept Podophyllum peltatum going for a few years here but it wasn't happy and eventually gave up. Seeing your huge patch makes me a little sad at my failure but glad to see it doing so well where it truly belongs, and being properly appreciated too.

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    1. I can't take credit for that one--the patch has been full and healthy for the decades we've lived here. I didn't plant any of the Mayapples. I love them, though. :)

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  5. I love those spring ephemerals, especially the Caroline Spring Beauty! They've been just starting here in the past week. I hope the trillium are right and this is the end of freezing temperatures!

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    1. We won't warm up soon, but hopefully the freezing lows are done for the season. I love the Spring Beauties, too! They're really doing well in this new location.

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  6. Lovely to see plants from other parts of the world.

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    1. Yes, I love to visit blogs from around the world. So many amazing plants to learn about!

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  7. Beth, everything is looking lovely. Spring Beauties took my breath away. Hope the alliums keep the rabbits away.

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    1. Thanks, Susie. The Alliums seem to help, but some plants must still be caged to keep the rabbits away. Hmmm...

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  8. It’s so nice to be able to see plants from different parts of the world - most of yours are new to me. The Virgina Bluebell is lovely, and the Spring Beauty has a truly delightful flower. This is my first introduction to Mayapples - they look almost unworldly. I hope you manage to show them when the foliage is fully open.

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    1. Hi Catherine: Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I was thrilled to learn about your blog. It's so beautiful, and your plants and gardens are incredible. The Mayapples will probably open up in the next few days. Here's a photo from a previous year:
      https://www.flickr.com/photos/plantpostings/51172039924/in/album-72157719145348529/

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  9. Spring has been slow for you, but I'm glad it's finally arrived and that you're old friends are there to bring it on! We've had some return to chilly, wet weather, for which I'm grateful ahead of our long, hot summer. Tina

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    1. Hi Tina: Yes, it's still quite a bit cooler than "normal." Hopefully, things will turn around soon, and May will be the glorious month it usually is. Thanks for understanding the Blogger comment situation. It's frustrating. Thanks for including your name. :)

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  10. A few familiar ones, and a few I've never seen before, but all of them are looking great.

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    1. Welcome. :) The spring flowers are so joyous (and tough)! Such a pleasure to see after a long, cold winter.

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  11. Hello,
    You are right about the two steps forward and for us I am going with three steps back. Ha Ha!
    I love the photos today. I do love the first spring flowers. The true promise of spring smiles at us with these little beauties.
    Carla

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    1. Hi Carla: You're so right about the first spring flowers. They are such a joy to see. I hope we'll both soon take several steps forward into true spring, and no steps back. ;-)

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  12. So wonderful to catch up and see these wonderful wildflowers!

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