Thursday, March 31, 2016

Sure Signs Of Spring


As we come to the very last day of March, it's a delight to be out in the garden.  There are certain signs of spring everywhere.  I wondered if this winter would mean the end of many of my perennial garden plants.  Here to my delight is the Virginia bluebells that I planted last fall just emerging.  A spring ephemeral, this plant comes, blooms and disappears  again in the Spring.  I might not look like much, but it's cause fore celebration for me!


This is my Twin leaf plant. It blooms in the spring, but the beautiful butterfly like leaves flutter in the breeze all summer.  Boy was I glad to see it return!


The squirrel corn is coming back strong and it is several weeks ahead of last year.


Soon these lacy green leaves will be joined by dark pink bleeding hearts. It does my heart good to see them again!


Here the desirable plant is the Toothwort.  I will have to decide how much to tidy up around this plant and whether or not I should bury the roots.  John Burroughs called it Crinkleroot and talked about chewing the roots.  To my way of thinking you should have lots of plants before exhibiting that
kind of behavior. I want these to grow!



Last year when I visited Catskill Native Nursery in Kerhonkson, NY, I bought this Heartleaf Alexander.  I had never seen it before,  but it was an adorable plant with heart shaped leaves. With the kind of Winter we had without snow, I was concerned about frost heave.  It looks fabulous! No wonder I brought it home.
 

My pink trout lilies are coming up.  Beautiful speckled leaves and the beginnings of buds give me a thrill.  Ed carefully removed the cage top and teased the dandelions away from my prized plants.  Ed in the garden starting his war on dandelions is also a sure sign of Spring.  It might be my very favorite!


He wins a prize for the removal of the dandelion with its long taproot  intact. What could be better than that?

2 comments:

Beth @ PlantPostings said...

Oh yes, that is a long tap root! I noticed the Mayapples are emerging, which has me a little worried because the polar vortex is returning this weekend. I guess they know what they're doing. It's so fun to see the little umbrellas poking out of the soil. Do you have quite a few Virginia Bluebells? They're so beautiful!

Becky said...

I had some that were a gift from a friend years ago. You are looking at my one and only plant. I planted it last fall. I have my best luck naturalizing squills, Scilla and Miniature Dutch Iris, Iris reticulata. I love the deep blues and the shades of purple.