Woodland Blooms for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day

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.



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.



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.



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!



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).



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.







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.



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.



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.



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

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?

Simple Scents of Spring

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

Syringa vulgaris

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!

Woodland Awakenings

Violets (Viola spp.)

The native plant growing season has begun, and many old friends await in the "wild" area of our property. This is the time of year to delight in new discoveries and welcome reunions. It seems appropriate to celebrate these woodland wildflowers, and the trees that protect them, on this Arbor Day.

Some ephemerals and wildflowers are blooming, while many more will burst forth in the days ahead. Here are just a few fun finds during the past few days:

 

Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum)

Red Trillium (T. erectum)

Great White Trillium (T. grandiflorum)

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Smooth Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum)

 Ramps (Allium tricoccum)

Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)

False Rue Anemone (Enemion biternatum)

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia)

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

This is a special portion of the lot that we leave to nature. We don't plant or plan it (with the exception of a few Virginia Bluebells I planted several years ago). We simply remove invasive species--Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), and a few others--and let it be.

More reawakenings will greet us in the days ahead. It's always a treasured, magical portion of the growing season.

Happy Arbor Day!

One of Each Daffodil in a Vase

It's time for In a Vase on Monday, and I thought it would be fun to combine one of each variety of Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) blooming in the garden. Daffodils of various types have been blooming here since early March, and they continue to put on a show. Most of these were from a Colorblends mix I planted years ago, and they continue to flourish. I'm not sure of the variety names, and I don't know if this mix is still available, but there are many mix options. Here they are in no particular order:















Since I set those in the vase a few days ago, other slightly different ones have bloomed:

Similar to one in the vase, but with orange and yellow petals in place of salmon.

Similar to the dramatic, central flower in the vase, but with larger orange petals.

I can't be sure, but it seems like some of the original varieties have hybridized: There are just so many variations. Has this ever happened in your garden?



It was fun to hunt for this combination. I'm linking in with Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme, over at Rambling in the Garden: Head on over to see all the creative arrangements of beautiful plants!

Memories of the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden

In recent weeks, several Texan friends have mentioned, on their blogs and social media, that the Texas Mountain Laurels (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum; syn. Sophora secundiflora) were blooming. This reminded me of our time in the state last year. It also reminded me that I hadn't shared highlights from our visit to the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, which was a truly unique place!



Several Texas Mountain Laurels were blooming outside the entrance, and we spent some quality time before and after our visit viewing, smelling, and enjoying them. The scent has been described as grape bubblegum, which I recall as being about right.



The pollinators enjoyed them, too. I believe this is a horse-fly carpenter bee.



The tea garden, which is more than 100 years old, exceeded my expectations and was totally different than I expected. It's described as "magical" on the San Antonio Parks web site, and that seems about right. My photos and words don't do it justice: It's one of those places you have to visit to get the full effect. There's so much beautiful rock and stone work everywhere you look, and the layout is so unique.

Built in the pit of a former limestone quarry and cement factory, it was shaped into a pavilion, walkways, arch bridges, pond surrounds, an island, and more.



When we were there, beautiful annuals, along with resident perennials, were on display. These colorful Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) brightened the late February landscape.



Various grasses, Prickly Pear cacti (Opuntia alta), and other native perennials framed the scene around the property.



The rock work, mixed with beautiful plants and blooms was truly special.



Along with the giant, 60-foot waterfall, which made a dramatic statement.



If/when you visit San Antonio, don't miss this special place. I'm sure it's beautiful and incredible any time of year.

To learn more about the history of the Japanese Tea Garden, and plans for its future, visit the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the San Antonio Parks & Recreation descriptions.