For this Six on Saturday, I'm including five native plants waking up in our woodland, and one plant that behaves and raves and steals my heart. The first is a Yellow Violet, and I believe this is Viola pubescens, which is very common in my local area. It's a cute little buddy.
Next, we have Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)--a wonderful groundcover that persists through the growing season. Here you can see its heart-shaped foliage and unique, tiny bloom that pokes out under the cover.
This plant seems to be increasing in number on our property: Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum). This view shows the bud at its center, soon to bloom. Several other Trillium species grace our woodland, and I'll share as the season progresses.
The Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) always poke their umbrellas up through the rich earth in dramatic fashion. Dear old friends.
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) is an amazing groundcover that competes well with invasive species, helping to protect the woodland ecosystem.
Finally, nearer the house are my dear Hellebores (H. orientalis). I know most gardeners love them, and what can I say? They're not native here, but they behave so well, and they're just so lusciously lovely. I can't imagine gardening without them.
OK, that's my "Six" for this week! Head on over to Jim's Garden Ruminations blog to see more amazing plants from around the world.
Also, join me on Instagram for a special #Ephemeral a Day Through May meme. I'm focusing on ephemeral plants native to my area of the U.S.--plants that I'm seeing on my own land, and out and about during hikes.
Beautiful foliage! The trilium is truly charming.
ReplyDeleteHi Fred: Sometimes I find the foliage as enchanting as the flowers. :)
DeleteHow interesting to see your natives Beth. I am quite partial to species violets and your yellow Viola pubescens is striking.
ReplyDeleteSo many Violets of various species are native here. This one has a fuzzy stem and veined leaves, so I'm pretty sure it's V. pubescens.
DeleteThat hellebore is a real beauty!
ReplyDeleteI'm so in love with Hellebores, Kris. I could just stare at them for hours. I haven't planted any in the woods, but I have several varieties near the house. <3
DeleteA wonderful collection! My favourite is that lovely yellow viola. Must be so pretty when there's a group of them together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathrin. Yes, the Violets are so pretty when they bloom in patches, with mixed species. :)
DeleteThere was trillium in our yard when I was a child, I loved it. Yours has such pretty leaves.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the Trilliums, too. We have several species here, and they truly say "spring"!
DeleteOh wow, I love the fresh foliage. That Trillium is something else! I bet you are checking on it all the time :)
ReplyDeleteI know: I love the foliage almost as much as the flowers on some of the plants. The Prairie Trillium, in particular, has fascinating colors/patterns on its leaves. All the Trilliums (we have a few species here) are just about to bloom. :)
DeleteThe yellow violet is very pretty indeed. It's nice to see the native plants in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's always a joy to see the native ephemerals and other native plants returning in the spring. :)
DeleteI have Virginia water leaf scrambling through my sliver of woodland beds and have noticed it seems a bit aggressive. It’s pretty, but I worry that it may one day push out other beauties in its path. I hadn’t thought about its value in outcompeting invasive plants trying to get a foothold in my garden. Need I be concerned?
ReplyDeleteI tend to welcome Virginia Waterleaf where it volunteers. We have some nonnative, slightly invasive groundcovers here, and I'm working to discourage them and encourage Violets, Wild Ginger, and Va. Waterleaf to form colonies in their place. :)
DeleteI love the Podophyllum leaves. Thank you for sharing some of your native plants
ReplyDeleteAnn - thequiltinggardener
Hi Ann: Aren't the Mayapples fun? They already look totally different, and they're just about to flatten out like open umbrellas. The flowers will open soon, too. ❤️
DeleteThe Wild Ginger has such unusual and I do love the hellebores flowers. I keep saying I will grow some, but I never see them for sale here.
ReplyDeleteHellebores are special plants, for sure. I hope you can find some. Even having a couple in pots is a fun option. The Wild Ginger is a wonderful native plant for us. It's so unique, and it forms nice little colonies.
DeleteSuch a lot of beautiful foliage, I like it as much as the flowers sometimes, but also like your yellow violet, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, Pauline. The foliage on many plants is just as, if not more, interesting. Plus, the foliage usually lasts much longer. But, blooms are pretty special too. :)
DeleteSo many delicate blooms. Mayapples are opening in the woods behind my house. Always a joy to see them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Donna. Mayapples are fun "old friends." ;-)
DeleteThank you, I do love watching them all start to bloom.
ReplyDelete:-)
It's a special time of year, isn't it, Carla? :)
DeleteThe hellebori have in my garden too, they are beautiful. But I haven't seen no one of your woodland wonders here with us - our vegetation seems very different from yours. Very interesting to learn about!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Germany :)
Hi Mascha: I imagine your part of the world is very beautiful, too. I hope to visit Germany soon. Aren't the Hellebores wonderful?!
DeleteLove the images, especially the ginger and the hellebore. Some day I'll find wild ginger!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom. It was a joy to discover the Wild Ginger in the back woodland many years ago. It's been a return visitor ever year since; in fact, its numbers seem to be increasing. Yay!
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