An Ode to the Trilliums

Trillium recurvatum

Trillium grandiflorum

Trillium erectum

Six Woodland Wonders

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.

Celebrating an Anniversary and a Never-Ending Love of Plants

Fifteen years ago today, I started this blog! During that time, I’ve posted at least once a month, except in August 2020, the month after my mom died. But much joy remains when I think of her, and my dad, who died this year. Both were amazing mentors—in gardening and in many other aspects of life.

I’ve been considering what to say about this blogoversary for several weeks now. Generally, I don’t have trouble coming up with words to describe a situation or an experience, but I had trouble with this one.

Maybe it’s best to simply say…PlantPostings.com has become a fundamental part of my life. The basics from my first few posts have remained the same, but there are a few changes:

• My garden zone has warmed slightly—from USDA plant hardiness zone 5a to zone 5b.

• As with most gardens, some plants have disappeared, while many others have been added.

• I’ve become active in the Wisconsin Master Naturalist program and the annual Garden Fling gathering, among other garden and nature organizations, communication venues, and horticultural opportunities.

But many things have stayed the same, borrowing wording from my first two posts back in October 2010:

• I'm fascinated by plants—by their rich variety of colors, forms, growth patterns...you name it! And I never tire of studying and nurturing them.

• I’m particularly fascinated by perennials that survive and thrive in northern climates.

• Most of this garden is shady during the growing season, which limits the types of plants that will grow here. But I've been able to cheat a little in spots with dappled sunlight—nurturing plants that generally grow better in the sun.

• I also have a very small bright, sunny garden on the west side of the house. That's where I grow vegetables and a few sun-loving annuals and perennials.

• Every year, this place looks different. Plants come and go. The dominance of ground covers and volunteer plants shifts.

Notably, the long-lived Oak (Quercus spp.) and Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) trees are the same ones that were here and established when we moved in, more than 20 years ago.

Fifteen years of blogging…wow, it’s hard to believe! Thank you, friends and readers, for stopping by and sharing your knowledge, encouragement, and joy.

Finally, I’ll end with wording from the end of my second post: “I inherited this beautiful oasis.... It’s actually a pretty magical place.”

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?

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!

Secret Places and Simple Pleasures

Recently the dog and I hiked at one of our favorite places. Several things about this location are special, starting with the fact that I wouldn't have known this beautiful place existed if I didn't have a dog. It's a designated dog trail at a Wisconsin state park near my house. When the park's other trails are closed during the cross-country skiing season, this trail remains open to dogs and hikers. While I've hiked at the state park many, many times over the years, I didn't discover this particular path until last winter!

Every time I've visited this trail since January, it has revealed new gems of beauty.



During our recent mid-November hike here, I found myself awed by the mature trees that line the trail.



Ferns, mosses, lichens, and sedges are still evergreen among the carpet of Oak leaves.



A particularly magical patch of the trail is hard to describe in photos and words, but I'll try: It's a little opening, about 3/4 of the way through the path, where the woodland opens into a meadow. My impression is that this section illustrates the movement of the glacier that formed the nearby lake.



On one side of the trail, there's a hill that appears to be a glacial drumlin.



On the other side of the trail, at the woodland opening, there's a beautiful meadow with a view of the lake. One senses how the retreating glacier formed this area.



The light is magical in this meadow--in all seasons, but particularly in spring and autumn and late afternoon, as the oblique light hits the grasses, sedges, wildflowers, and seedheads.



On this recent day at the park, the sky was beautiful, too. Seedheads of asters, goldenrods, and other autumn-blooming plants were sparkling--backlit by the low-hanging sun.

I love this place. I'm thankful I discovered it, and I'm thankful that Nicky and I can walk here just about any day we wish. Simple pleasures are so important during a global pandemic. I hope you all are finding simple pleasures, and I wish for those who celebrate it, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Life in the 'Dead' of Winter