We've had a bit of warmth, and the garden is popping. I'm cheating a little: I decided to include only native plants for this Six on Saturday post, and I'll also join in with Wildflower Wednesday.
Not many native plants are blooming on our property, but a few are starting, including Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica). They're tiny flowers, about the size of my thumbnail, and they grow in clumps. The pink pollen and hardiness make this plant a unique and graceful, but tough, little bloomer. Another bonus: Rabbits don't eat it.
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) isn't blooming yet, but its foliage is as interesting as its flowers. It's a great, naturally occurring woodland rambler that dots the forest floor.
I don't recall seeing Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) in our little woodland before, although I've seen it many times during hikes in the area. (See the photo at the beginning of this post.) I hope this little clump will continue to thrive.
Though Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera), technically, isn't native in my exact location, it's native two counties to my south. And with the warming climate, it's commonly found in my area now. I planted this vine a few years ago--it's now growing up and over the arbor. Yay. I'll share more photos when it's blooming later in the summer.
I was surprised to see that Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)--a long-time, naturally occurring plant on my property--is blooming. I'd seen the foliage previously this spring, but now most of the plants have flowers, too. They're unique in many ways, including their shape, appearance, and downward-facing blooms.
For number six, let's celebrate Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). I planted seeds for several patches of these a few years ago, and promptly discovered that rabbits eat them. Ugh. The next year, I placed caging around them, and the rabbits haven't caused much damage since. Last spring, I happily discovered they're now abundant throughout the woodland; uncaged! Are there too many for the rabbits to destroy? I don't know, but I think the buds are even prettier than the flowers.
For more examples of gardening fun around the world, visit Garden Ruminations for Six on Saturday. On Wednesday, head on over to Clay and Limestone for Wildflower Wednesday.
Happy Easter!
Almost all flowers I've never seen before. Wild Ginger's flower is so pretty... Is it a big flower?
ReplyDeleteAnd I also had to Google it to find out more about Mertensia virginica.
Hi Fred: The Wild Ginger blooms are quite small...maybe 2.5 centimeters wide. They are generally hidden under the foliage, so lifting back the leaves reveals them. Virginia Bluebells really say "spring" to me in my climate. :)
DeleteWhat fabulous native plants you have. Mertensia is a beauty and the wild ginger really interesting!
ReplyDeleteYes, Gill, I feel blessed to have the woodland right out the back door. It's great fun to explore it every spring and see old favorites, and sometime new plants. The two you mention are very hardy and fun. :)
DeleteI love that you used native plants, if the first photo a bleeding heart plant?
ReplyDeleteHi Rosie: Yes, the first photo is also Dutchmen's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), sometimes also called Bleeding Heart, like the fourth photo down. I saw the latter on our property, while the first photo was taken during a recent hike elsewhere. :)
DeleteThat's a beautiful collection of natives, Beth. Your photo of the Claytonia may have identified a plant I've long admired on my neighborhood strolls. Claytonia virginica certainly isn't native to Southern California but it's the closest match I've found yet.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris: I do feel fortunate to have so many native plants right out the back door, most of which were planted by Mother Nature. I wonder if the one you've seen in your area is another species of Claytonia? Or, I imagine C. virginica would perform just fine out your way. I just read a source that said while it's not native to California, it's popular and adaptable, and found in many areas of North America.
DeleteWhat a lovely selection of native plants, Beth. If the Dicentra is the same as the one in your top photo, the little clump you have will be a great addition. I’ve had to google the Virginia Bluebell - it’s different from the English bluebells we see here - but very lovely. I hope the rabbits leave them alone! Have an enjoyable Easter Weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine: Yes, I think the Dicentra is the same species. If the rabbits don't eat it, or something else destroys it, I look forward to the flowers and I hope the patch expands. Virginia Bluebell buds are such a lovely shade of blue. When they flower, they're pretty, too, but I really love the buds. Happy Easter to you and yours!
DeleteI would love to see further flowers later in the year, but I had to look up Rosa setigera, what a delight.
ReplyDeleteThe woodland wildflowers really dominate the woodland until the trees leaf out. It's a joy to see them return and flower in the weeks ahead, but they're short-lived, mostly ephemerals. The Rose truly hits its stride in summertime. Love it. :)
DeleteI would love to see your locals as the year progresses. How wonderful to have an area of natural vegetation to call your own and to see plants local to your area. Noelle
ReplyDeleteHi Noelle: Yes, it's great fun to see them emerge and bloom over the weeks ahead. I'll share some of the progression. I do feel blessed to have so many beauties just out the back door. :)
DeleteSo pleased to see your Claytonia, you are the only other person to have mentioned it I think, I have rather a lot here, I have to edit it now and again as it spreads too far! Love the Dicentra in your first photo.
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline: I gathered Claytonia seeds several years ago from the woodland and planted them near the house. Boy, do they love that spot and they're expanding quite a bit. I'm happy, though, and it will be a long time before they spread too far. Such sweet, but hardy little plants, aren't they?
DeleteBeautiful! I especially like that ginger, it has an other-worldy vibe about it that is charming. Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Thanks. The Wild Ginger is prolific in the woods here. The foliage is fun, too--both the leaves and the flowers are "furry."
DeleteSuch pretty spring ephemerals. I love Claytonias!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet: I love them, too. They grow naturally back in the woods, and I collected seeds a few years ago and planted them nearer the house. The seeded ones bloom a little earlier and they seem to like their spot. :)
DeleteSo pretty, love the Claytonia! Happy Easter :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter! Yes, the Spring Beauties are special. :)
DeleteAbsolutely stunning captures. Happy Easter and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada šØš¦ š
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Happy Easter to you and yours, too! :)
DeleteWe are just starting to see some bulbs pop up. It has been cold, we had snow this morning.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your pop of spring.
Carla
I hope the snow is done now for you. I grew up in central Wisconsin, and I know how the "late arrivals" are even tougher to wait for up there. Pretty soon everything will be blooming for both of us!
DeleteMy father grew the wild ginger, but the others aren't things I've seen in person. Of course, my native plants are different.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to learn about new plants from each other, isn't it? And about observing familiar plants in a new setting or a new way. :)
DeleteBeth, I love your spring flowers. The Dutchman's Breeches are so cool, lucky to find them.
ReplyDeleteHi Susie: Yes, I love the Dutchman's Breeches, along with all the other spring ephemerals. It's a special time of year, isn't it?
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