May 27, 2024

A Simple Vase for Memorial Day

IAVOM1

Since today's In a Vase on Monday meme falls on U.S. Memorial Day, I thought I'd aim for red, white, and blue.

Weigela florida

The red was easy, because the Weigela shrub (W. florida) is currently blooming.

Weigela shrub

I don't remember which hybrid this is, but it's been a reliable spring-blooming shrub for many years.

Maianthemum racemosum

Also blooming are the native False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) plants, not quite white but close. They're welcome bright bloomers in the woodland, and they have a long vase life.

Iris sibirica1

The blue was a little trickier. I used a blue vase, but the closest blue-blooming flower was the Siberian Iris (I. sibirica), which is actually a violet-blue. But again, close enough. I picked it as a bud and...

Iris sibirica2

...a couple days later it's blooming.

IAVOM2

Wishing warm thoughts for Memorial Day to those who celebrate, and thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting In a Vase on Monday!

May 15, 2024

Woodland Blooms for
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day

Trillium group

It's a joy when the native woodland plants take the stage for their brief spring performance. While some of these photos were taken a few days ago, and the blooms are fading a bit, it's time to celebrate them for May's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

Trillium grandiflorum

The Trilliums seem so joyful and bright, with plenty of rain and sun this spring. And the temperatures have been cool to comfortable, which has kept them blooming longer. Great White Trillium (T. grandiflorum) is plentiful, and always takes center stage at this time of year.

Trillium recurvatum

Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum) appeared here only a few years ago, and I'm thrilled to see it returning each spring since. Some of its other nicknames are interesting: Toadshade or Bloody Butcher.

Trillium erectum

Red Trillium (T. erectum) also has some other fun nicknames: Wake Robin, Purple Trillium, Bethroot, or Stinking Benjamin. It's appeared in the back woodland for many years, but the patch appears to be expanding--yay!

Podophyllum peltatum

Then, we have the Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum), which create an excellent groundcover, with beautiful flowers under the foliage. Conventional wisdom is that when the leaves are horizontal and the plants are blooming, it's time for Morel mushrooms. I've never found any Morels here near home (although we've found some up at the cottage).

Galium aparine

Catchweed Bedstraw or Stickywilly (Galium aparine) is pretty, even if it sticks to your clothing as you pass by. I like the way it blends with the ferns.

Viola sororia 1

Viola pubescens

Viola sororia 2

Several species of Violets (Viola spp.) are still blooming. There are so many in the woods, and I welcome them since they compete well with the non-native, invasive plants.

Viburnum trilobum

The Highbush Cranberries (Viburnum trilobum) are approaching peak bloom time (several days after this photo was taken). The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) has fun little flowers under its foliage. This plant has expanded at the woodland edge, which is wonderful because it also competes well with invasive plants.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Some Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) plants are blooming...but I think they're even prettier just before the buds break--so delicate and fuzzy.

Arisaema triphyllum

And, of course, it's always a thrill to find Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) flowers. They help define the native woodland, and it's fun to observe insects attracted to them.

Soon many of these plants will fade and/or go dormant with the coming heavy shade and heat of summer. So it's fun to celebrate them now. Thanks to May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day! What's blooming in your garden?

May 06, 2024

Simple Scents of Spring

vase 1

It's time for In a Vase on Monday, the meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Today I have a very simple contribution, but it smells heavenly. The scents of Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) combined with Lilies of the Valley (Convallaria majalis). The aroma is almost too much, but I couldn't resist.

Convallaria majalis
Convallaria majalis

Syringa vulgaris
Syringa vulgaris

vase 2

I added a bit of Convallaria foliage for structure. Sometimes simple is OK, especially when the scent is the highlight of the collection.

Check out the other vase entries at Rambling in the Garden. Have a great week!