Finally Flowers

Yesterday, when these pictures were taken, began as the second consecutive warm pleasant day.  Thunder and rain gave way to unpleasant cold.  Overnight frost was missed by just two degrees.  These Round Lobed Hepatica flowers are the first of our native plants to bloom.  Three were purchased last year at Catskill Native Nursery and all are still with us.  This plant's flowers before leaves habit give us a local story of interest.

A neighbor that built his house on the western edge of the Batterson Farm firmly tells the story of his discovery of a purple flowered Arbutus.  Arbutus carries its dark green leaves beneath snow cover and its white or pink blossoms are still a few weeks from opening.  Out in his woods early in the year, he saw purple flowers nestled among the evergreen Arbutus leaves.  It certainly looked like that Arbutus did indeed have purple flowers.  Since that plant was reported as quickly stolen, no one else had a chance to see that unusual sight.  One of our Hepatica plants appears mature enough to divide.  This Fall we will attempt division and place one under light Arbutus growth.  We will not be able to share the resulting purple flowered Arbutus with our neighbor since unfortunately he has lost his eyesight.  He will however be able to hear that his discovery made years ago remains alive and well near where he first found it.

Last year two Bleeding Heart plants were purchased in Norwich and placed at either end of the bench in our newly developing shade garden.  Both flowered and one has made an appearance this year.  It appears that we will have a large native plant flowering close to the bench.  Later this year we will likely see a photo of Becky sitting on her bench surrounded by native flowers.

This Virginia Bluebells plant is also in its second year with us.  It too was purchased at Catskill Native Nursery last year.  Our memory says that it did not flower during its first season with us.  It looks like this strong new growth just might produce flowers this year.  Either way we will not be disappointed since the plant remains alive.

It is easy to see why these nonnative plants are widely popular.  Snowdrops frequently open their white flowers while snow remains on the ground.  They reseed freely with large clumps proudly holding garden ground.  Winter aconites also frequently flower surrounded by new snow.  Their yellow flowers certainly catch the eye even when they are surrounded by brown dead leaves.  These plants are in the shade garden near the house although some of the Snowdrops have been transplanted in the developing garden down near the road.

Aged hands do not respond well to working in cold soil when the air temperature remains in the 30's so this post represents today's gardening activity.

Ed's Gone Native!

Ed has gone native and perhaps a bit wild. Some people dig for treasure and there is some digging involved here, but Ed is carefully burying treasured plants in a place where we hope they will flourish.  Bare root plants came today from Wisconsin.  We used to get plants from there in pots, but thanks to those nasty Asian jumping worms, shipments are sent bare root to prevent the spread of destructive slimy worms that jump out of your hand!  I hope I never see one.  It was raining hard, but Ed was determined to get these plants safely in their spots in the woodland garden.  I took pictures from the dry warm comfort of the truck.  It's true I wanted to keep the camera dry, but I was not keen on getting cold and wet either!

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It was quite a trick to plant new plants between the slippery wet stones while taking care not to injure specimens that were already in place.  I watched in amazement.  Ed reached and stretched carefully planting Trilliums, Wood Anemones, Bloodroot and Virginia Bluebells. I didn't know that he could still move like that!  He is always ready to go the extra mile for his treasured plants.

By the time the last of the plants were in the ground, he was quite wet and cold but happy.  If in the future he is going to play in this kind of heavy rain, he will need a new raincoat. This one leaks!  The woodland garden is beginning to look the way Ed  had it planned.

When the last little rootlets were planted, Ed marked the location of the new plants with the white bags they came in held down by a stone. Those plants went from the mailbox to their spot in the garden on the same  afternoon.  I'm sure the plants will appreciate the rain.  It is likely we will not see them come up until spring.  As for Ed, it was time to head for the house for a hot shower, dry clothes and a cup of hot chocolate.  

Happy Spring Flowers, Photos By Amy

Most of the Pink Trout Lilies had passed their prime, but that didn't keep Amy from getting a great photo of this lovely Spring flower.

The Magnolia we planted has it tough here in zone 4.   I had some doubts that we would get any flowers at all from this  plant with our erratic spring weather, but I was tickled pink that the first flower opened today.   Planted especially for Amy, it flowered on cue when she was here to see it!

How about a close-up of those perfect pink petals?  It looks perfect!

Trailing arbutus flowers are a big spring happening for us.  We love those pictures that include gorgeous plants and interesting stones!

This is my favorite photo this time.  It's never easy to choose, but the sunlight through the leaves and the fascinating shape of the soon-to-open Virginia Bluebells make this one a work of art!

We planted these Guinea-Hen Fritillaries  in the spring of 2010.  It is wonderful to see them again.  Those snakeskin patterned flowers would catch anyone's eye.

When Sara gave me this plant she called it Trout Plant.  It is a Lungwort and has flowers that open pink and then turn blue.  This weekend was a whirlwind visit.  I'm so happy that Amy got some Spring Flower Photos to share!

Frosted Flowers Bring April Showers

When I saw distant purple, my favorite, from the living room window this morning, I knew it was time to get out there with the camera.  Last year I didn't get to see my dwarf iris bloom at all.  I was not going to miss their grand opening this year!  As you can see the flowers were a bit frosted.  Truth be told so was I.  I am so ready to spend time in the garden with  Ed, flowers, birds, butterflies and even weeds.  This morning the cold wind was too much for me.

I was not to be denied, however, so after lunch I went out again.  This time I was rewarded with just a glimpse of crocus pollen inside lovely purple striped Pickwick crocuses.  Their opening was rather tentative.  I totally understand.  Why flaunt the good stuff when it is too cold for the pollinators to be out and about?

A little more of the inner beauty of these little purple iris is showing.  Some years these bloom in March.  Some years they bloom magnificently in April.   For these little beauties and for me warm April showers would be such a welcome change from snow.

The purple leaves of my Virginia Bluebells have just broken the surface today.  I love spring ephemerals.  It is the beginning of their time . Don't miss them!

Natives Or Aliens?

In my opinion when it comes to the garden, it is not where you are from it is how you behave that matters.  I adore native wild flowers like this lovely Virginia Bluebells.

However I also love many alien plants including the snow drops that come up early in the spring and raise my spirits after a long, sometimes longer than others, winter.  I never worry about having too many snowdrops.  They do naturalize, but they do it in such a dainty controlled way.  I don't think you will ever read about out of control snowdrops taking over anywhere.

 The snowdrops in this picture are definitely not the aggressor!  The other plant is the villain!  Now we come to a plant that I consider a pernicious weed!!  Garlic Mustard, Alliaria officinalis,  is an alien with some serious behavior problems!  I have never liked the plant and I never planted it, but while I was not watching it has grown up what seems like everywhere.  Brought to this country as a potherb, the plant is a favorite of foragers like "Wildman" Steve Brill.

He would be after the tender pointed leaves and flower buds.  The plant is described a spicy and hot to some and bitter to others.  Frankly I would welcome a busload of foragers if they would pull up the plants and take them home! 

The basal leaves are shaped like violet leaves.  I have been pulling this plant, but when I discovered that the plant apparently destroys mycorrhizae fungi in the soil I declared war!  Ed's trailing arbutus and other wildflowers need the fungus in the soil to survive,  Even the Eastern red backed salamander is reportedly endangered by this plant.  So if you are looking for a garden alien to eradicate this is one you can go for with gusto.  If you want to eat it do some research first.  Here I just want it gone !!!