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.

Our Walk In The Woods

Our day started this morning with a trip to the back meadow intending to clear a fallen section of a White Pine tree that was blocking part of the mowed meadow.  With that task completed, a short walk to check on our now officially wild Cardinal Flower seemed in order.  We have a survivor with no help from people.  An additional walk into the forest seemed like the only thing to do.  Glacier ground ridge rock in all sizes litters this forest floor.  Beauty is everywhere.  Plants here must be left alone since the stony soil prevents their removal.

This wild Jack In The Pulpit is close to the first Trillium that we have ever seen in this section of our woods.  A stately Red Trillium was a welcome surprise.  Invasive Garlic Mustard is far less welcome and we feel compelled to remove it whenever it is encountered.

Purple-pink winged flowers are what we wanted to see.  Little is written about Fringed Polygala and its culture is difficult.  These dainty plants are in the company of rather nasty neighbors and their long term survival here is in doubt.  The large oval leaves and the white cluster of flower buds mark the presence of Wild lily-of-the-valley.  It is a horribly invasive native and will choke out nearby plants.  Escaped pasture grass is also in the picture and it is unclear which will ultimately reign in this area.  What is apparent is that the polygala is being strangled here.

A long pry bar aided the removal of clumps of this ground.  This was no easy task as roots from nearby bushes helped to hold the soil in place.  Each  soil block was placed in a container of water.  Swishing around that mass aided in the gentle removal of all parts of the weeds.  Intact civilized plants was our goal.  We accept the possible outcome that nothing will survive the move but we cannot risk placing these invaders into our shade garden.

These Starflowers could survive their move since complete root masses remained with the rest of the transplant.  Delicate accurately describes every part of these plants.  Our hope is that enough of the plants remains functional enabling a return next year.  Their pointed white flowers are quite attractive and a sizable patch would be a welcome addition to our collection of native plants.
 

The outcome with the polygala is far less certain.  We had a past experience where several plants with horizontal roots were connected to a single deep taproot.  Despite our caution today, only plants with the horizontal root were removed.  The web of forest soil is so tight that deep clumps are impossible to remove.  We did our best and these plants have been added to the list of transplants that will receive water nearly every rainless day.  Any survivors here will be treasured while those left behind in the woods should persist for the time that we will remain here.

Planting In The Rain

We are trying for the third time to find a successful location for Bunchberry.  Our first attempt resulted in a plant that barely held on while getting smaller each year.  Our second try featured bare root plants since our supplier located in the mid west could not ship plants in pots because of an invasion of jumping worms.  Those plants just died during their first year here.  This plant is by far the largest that we have ever seen.  If more than one plant had been in stock, we would have purchased three.  Perhaps when we return new stock will have arrived.  If not, we will go with just one plant.

Reading has given us additional information that might improve this plants chances of survival here.  We have no control over our elevation above sea level so this plant will have to adjust to where we are.  We can control the soil and this spot was filled with a mix of soil taken from under a Hemlock tree and a White Pine.  Poor acidic soil is reported to be where Bunchberry thrives in the wild.  A White Pine supplied the top mulch as shown by the cone.  This plant began to separate into pieces as the potting medium was rinsed clear but it was planted as a single unit.  Now we watch and wait hoping that the third time is the charm.

We were concerned about these Jack In The Pulpits.  Last year, following a generous set of bright red berries, something walked here and broke all of the plants.  The surface was littered with plant parts.  As is sometimes the case, worry was not warranted.  Eight beautiful plants have held their ground and are off to an impressive start this year.  Low temperatures and rain are in the forecast for the next several nights.  Perhaps the rain will offset the negative effects of cold air.  No seeds will follow if these plants experience frost.  This is intended to be a native plant garden growing as if they were in the wild so no protective cover will be in place.  Here again we will watch and wait.