May 15, 2023

Woodland Wildflowers for May Bloom Day

Violas

For this bloom day, I'm focusing on a few ephemerals and wildflowers in our woodland at the back of our garden. Many other plants are blooming, but they'll have their day. In addition to the plentiful Violets (Viola spp., above) flourishing around the property, many other wildflowers are lovely this month.

Mertensia virginica

The Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are fading, but I captured a few pics before they were done.

Claytonia virginica

Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) have been blooming since early April! They're such a great native plant option to support pollinators at the beginning of the season.

Asarum canadense

While the Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) flaunts its heart-shaped foliage, its fascinating, fuzzy flowers hide underneath and support flies, beetles, ants, and some butterflies.

Arisaema triphyllum

Each year, I'm thrilled to welcome back the plentiful Jack-in-the-Pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum). They have such a unique form and are so at home in the back woods.

Trillium recurvatum

The Trilliums are in full bloom and seem very happy this spring. Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum) hides under Oak leaf litter and ground cover, and always surprises me when it pops up in May.

Trillium grandiflorum

Each year since the drought in 2012, the Great White Trilliums (T. grandiflorum) have expanded around the property. They are so regal.

Trillium erectum

And, finally, the Red Trillium (T. erectum) graces its own special spot along the woodland edge.

It's a beautiful day and month in the garden! To enjoy other lovelies on this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, visit May Dreams Gardens

41 comments:

  1. Each and every flower is a beauty, Beth, but I was fascinated by the wild ginger's bloom. I love the Trilliums too, yet another genus on the long list of plants I wish I could grow.

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    1. None of these are plants I planted; they're naturally occurring in the woodland. This is a special time of year after the long winter. ;-)

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  2. Lovely woodlanders. The Trilliums especially. Many wonderful plants for every climate--isn't that one of the many wonderful things about plants? The red Trillium is like velvet, the white one like a soaring bird.

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    1. Yes, indeed. Each habitat is unique and fascinating. It's such a thrill to discover and enjoy the plants in each location. :)

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  3. Beautiful!
    I love wildflowers! Wish I had more of them.

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    1. Me, too. These were planted by nature, not me, which is a wonderful thing. I love the "garden" plants closer to the house, too, but there's something special about the wildflowers. :)

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  4. I'm currently planning a new native best so your post is very inspirational! I need more early bloomers and the spring beauties look perfect. And your trillium is gorgeous. It all is!

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I highly recommend Spring Beauties. We have some occurring naturally in the woods, and some that I started from seeds I collected and planted near the house. Beautiful little bloomers. The Trilliums are naturally occurring, as are most of the plants in this post--plants I didn't plant, but nature gave us these gifts. :)

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  5. These are all so beautiful. I've seen Virginia bluebells--so pretty--but I really like the trilliums and that ginger. Wow! Lovely post, Beth, enjoy your spring! Tina

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    1. Hi Tina: Thanks so much for signing your name. :) This is a special time of year. Happy spring/almost summer to you!

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  6. Great shot of the Asarum canadense flower. I gave up trying to get a photo of my asarum. Also, that red trillium is gorgeous!

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    1. Those Wild Ginger flowers are so tiny and hidden under the foliage. Such fascinating little buddies, though. It's a joy to have the naturally occurring Trilliums, for sure.

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  7. Hello, I am glad you gave the violets some showtime. ;-) They are so lovely and unique when you take time to look at them close.

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    1. I agree, Carla. The Violets have been underappreciated for so long, but they are pretty and they can compete with some of the non-native, invasive groundcovers, so I'm encouraging them more than I used to.

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  8. Oh this was joyful to see Beth. I have a few things up in the native garden this year so far but really delayed. freeze warning tonight. Nice to see so much I know is blooming in my old garden. Miss those violets!

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    1. Thank you, Donna. It seems way too late for freezes/frosts! We've had cold days/nights on and off lately, but not that cold! Hang in there!

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  9. I had forgotten about that purple violet with the white edge! How nice to see it again. And your jack-in-the-pulpit is beautiful. I've tried growing them from seed for a few years, but so far, no luck!

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    1. Yes, there are so many different species and varieties of Violets back here. And the Jack-in-the-Pulpits are plentiful! The only things I planted in this post are the Virginia Bluebells (from seed). I also gathered seed from some of the Spring Beauties in the woods and planted them near the house.

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    2. From seed! That's quite an accomplishment!

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  10. We had trillium and wild ginger growing in our backyard growing up. It was planted by my father. I have a different kind of Claytonia, perfoliata, Miner's Lettuce.

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    1. Oh, that's an interesting plant, too, isn't it? Nearly all the plants in this post were planted by Mother Nature. :)

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  11. So perfect Beth. Love the violets and Virginia Bluebells.

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    1. Thanks, Susie. It is a joy to see these "old friends" return year after year. I'm glad they're happy here.

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  12. What a nice patch of woodland wildflowers you have at the back of your garden. Very beautiful to see.

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    1. Hi Yvonne: I do feel very fortunate to have them nearby...especially since all but a few were planted by Mother Nature.

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  13. Oh my! Your assortment of woodland plants is wonderful and I especially love the Jack-in-the-Pulpit's with its amazing blooms. Happy Spring and Bloom Day!

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    1. The Jack-in-the-Pulpits are special, aren't they? So wonderful to see them return, year after year. :)

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  14. Oh, your flowers are lovely! I love the Trilliums, most especially the Great White Trillium - it's stunning.

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    1. Hi Catherine: When we moved here more than two decades ago, I was thrilled to see the Trilliums and other wildflowers in the back woods. Still thrilled to see them again every spring!

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  15. What a nice group of wildflowers! Spring beauties are my absolute favorite! Or may the trillium are? Hmm . . . I have a woodland area right next to my house, but I never see these flowers in there. Luckily, there are plenty of places nearby where I can find all of these beauties!

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    1. Thanks, Kimberley. :) I love Spring Beauties, too, and they bloomed for such a long time this spring! So fortunate that Mother Nature has blessed us with the Trilliums and all the others.

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  16. You have a wonderful array of amazing flowers. I am lucky because I can visit our Bridge of Flowers (Shelburne, MA) which is only 15 miles away and can visit their Jack in the Pulpits and Trilliums - and more. I am not at that level yet.

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    1. Thanks, Pat. I really can't take credit for these, because they were gifts from Mother Nature (with the exception of the Virginia Bluebells). Love them all. :)

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  17. So beautiful, the Trilliums are gorgeous!

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    1. Mother Nature has been kind to us. The Trilliums were a wonderful treasure to discover the first spring at this property, and every spring after... :)

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    1. So blessed to have these wildflowers in the back woods. :)

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  19. So pretty. All that I miss about gardening in a northern climate.

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    1. They help to make the long winters worthwhile, I guess. I'm glad these wildflowers thrive here. :)

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  20. What a wonderful selection of wildflowers, especially the deep red Trillium.

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    1. They are a joy to have in the "wild" part of the property, Diana. Wonderful to see them return each spring.

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