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| Clockwise, from lower left: Aquilegia canadensis, Sanguinaria canadensis, Viola sororia, Mertensia virginica, Enemion biternatum, Podophyllum peltatum, Claytonia virginica |
Leaving a Midwestern garden in early May can be likened to leaving a young toddler with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days: You'll likely miss a few "firsts." In the case of the garden, that can mean quite a few first blooms of the growing season.
I traveled to Austin for the Garden Bloggers Fling recently, and when I came back I took stock of the garden's progress. Fortunately, I returned just in time for some early growing season highlights. I missed the quick spread of the Mayapples in the woodland, but I found many spring ephemerals at peak bloom or preparing for it, some shown above.
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| Clockwise, l to r: Trillium grandiflorum, T. erectum, T. grandiflorum, T. sessile |
Some of the Trilliums were flowering or near bloom, including a Sessile Wake-Robin, which I've never seen in the garden before. It was smack-dab in the middle of the lawn, so I had to rescue it before the fishman mowed the grass!
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| Narcissus hybrids |
A few Daffodils were still blooming.
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| Matteuccia struthiopteris |
While many of the Ostrich Ferns were upright and unfurled, I found plenty of tight fiddleheads to sauté for supper.
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| Malus hybrids |
The Crabapples were about to pop, and are at peak bloom now.
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| Left to right: Epimedium x warleyense, Epimedium x rubrum |
Fairy Wings (Epimediums) were just opening.
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| Clockwise from left: Prunus glandulosa, Convallaria majalis, Cercis canadensis, Clematis 'Nellie Moser' |
I caught the Flowering Almond just before the rain washed away its petals, while the Lily-of-the-Valley, Redbud, and Clematis were about to burst into bloom.
So much happens here in May that it's hard to leave, even for a few days. But it was worth it! I had an amazing time at the Garden Bloggers Fling. Highlights from that very special event to come soon!
