Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wildflower Wednesday: Look Closely
Spring wildflowers are in full bloom, and not just the ephemerals. In the rain garden, golden alexanders (Zizia aurea) are happy with the recent (much needed) rain,
and sedges (genus Carex) are "blooming" too.
Columbines are just starting to flower...
...and these native geraniums are shyly avoiding the camera. I planted a number of these in the shady part of my front garden, but only this one seems happy. I'm hoping the others are just in their "creep" year and will be more robust by this time next year.
Also sulking after being moved around last year are the shooting stars (Dodecatheon meadia)...
...but the prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) makes up for those other poor showings. I never get tired of these unique flowers, and I'm hoping the camassias bloom soon enough to catch up with them. The combo of prairie smoke and camassia was one of my (few) design successes in this border!
Many spring wildflowers require close inspection to really appreciate them. These are not the big, bold coneflowers and goldenrods of summer! For example, my favorite unknown native, Taenidia integerrima, is just starting to open its puffy yellow umbels...
...and wild ginger (Asarum canadense) hides its jug-shaped flowers under its expansive leaves. The flowers won't last long, and it's definitely the foliage that matters with these plants. But look close and you will find these surprises!
For more wildflowers this Wednesday, check out Clay and Limestone where Gail hosts this monthly showcase!
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4 comments:
hello Rose! Happy Spring. I am head over heals in love with Golden Alex! He even smells good~like honey. xogail
Interesting that your spring flowers are less showy. In my part of the world we have stunning spring flowers but much less so in summer, probably because our summers are really hot and dry
Wonderful natives, Rose! Our prairie smoke is just starting to bud. Funny the difference in timing even though we're in the same general area.
Our shooting star is still sulking after transplanting it here from my mom's woods three years ago. It was blooming then, and hasn't bloomed since. Maybe next year . . . !
Lovely natives, Rose! Everytime I visit here, I am reminded that I STILL don't have any Golden Alexanders! Spring seems to be flying by, and I haven't accomplished half of what I wanted to get done in the garden. Love your Prairie Smoke, too. Maybe if I pull up more of all my Obedient Plant seedlings, I'll have room for these lovelies:)
The rain has missed us so far, but I'm hoping we'll finally get some this weekend.
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