Sunday, May 17, 2020

Transplant Day Plus One


This is the condition of two of the Maidenhair Spleenworts transplanted here yesterday.  So far everything looks good.  We must remember to carry water here every time two days without rain happens.  An unknown is if the added limestone was sufficient to promote growth.  Yesterday's pictures showed me perched on both knees.  Today must be a day of rest to allow my hips to recover.


These Jack In The Pulpits are a welcome sight.  Last year our resident deer herd held a dance party here.  All of these plants were broken off and trampled before seed could be matured.  My concern was that the sharp hooves might have damaged the corms.  This new growth is well timed as it protected the new plant growth from frost damage.  This entire area has been filled with wire cages in an attempt to keep the deer out.


Bitterroot is native to western North America as the location of the mountain range bearing the same name might suggest..  We have purchased new plants every year since none have every wintered over here.  A listed plant requirement is growing in stony soil.  We kept the stones small so that transplants could be placed by pushing stone against the root without damage.  For reasons that remain unknown, this plant survived.  We must reread plant requirements in an attempt to keep this one here.

Lewisia redivika is the Latin name recognizing yet another plant discovered by Lewis and Clark.  Native Americans collected and dried the roots which were eaten despite a likely harsh flavor.



Jacob's Ladder is a plant native to eastern North America that is highly prized by Becky.  It has grown to an impressive size in our shade garden near the house.  It is one of the early flowering plants that keeps its leaves all summer.  We must look for a plant or two to place in the garden near the road.  Here is another plant that does not photograph accurately using our point and shoot camera.  The flowers are colored a bright pure dark blue that the picture only suggests.


These Trilliums have been growing near the house for years.  It is written that seven years are required for these plants to bloom from seed.  Transplants require almost that many years of growth in their new home.  We continue to buy new plants each year since one simply must have a broad sweep of these plants.  With age more flowering stems appear and they are welcome.  We have yet to see a new plant from seed in our fake shade gardens.  For some reason this plant is absent from our woods.

1 comment:

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Your Jacob's Ladder looks an interesting plant.