Tag Archive for: Anemonella thalictroides

A brief garden ‘woodland’ walk to see various species that were basking under the sun a couple of days ago. Again, trying to use locations in the garden that reproduce the native habitat is the key to happiness.
For most parts this means deciduous woods which allow plenty of sun in early to mid -spring and again in the fall. Combined deciduous/coniferous woods allow less light and can also be dryer (except on bottom lands and river valleys).

Of course that some species are more adaptable than others and having seedlings you can try them in various locations to see how they react.
Asarum canadense, the wild ginger, is one of the most easy going species that can be used as a groundcover. I caught it in the act of flowering in a sunny position, while in more shaded area is still in bud. The second picture shows the success I had establishing young plants grown from seeds on a dry slope (also shoots of Maianthemum stellatum showing up).


Anemonella thalictroides  (syn. Thalictrum thalictroides), rue anemone, is usually found on slightly moist locations. It is very easy to grow from fresh or moist packed seeds – pictured here are 3 years old flowering plants.

Another easy going, spreading by self-sowing is Hydrophyllum virginianum, Virginia waterleaf. It can even grow close to old tree trunks (hint for dry shade resistance!). A most loved species by the bees and bumblebees, so a few plants are a must (young seedlings can be easily removed if not desired).

The spring beauty, Claytonia virginica always loves to be close to the trees. A few left in my garden (squirrels love to dig the corms) and a nice patch flowering in the woodlands last year. The woods are still out of reach and seed collecting remains a question mark for now.

 I will finish for today with these Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings, which are grown in a pot buried in the ground. I have shown this easy method to grow all woodland species from seeds a few times and I repeat it again for all those who recently purchased Caulophyllum thalictroides seeds ;)

Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings, yellow mandarin

Read more about easily growing woodland species from seeds: We got the moist packed seeds – now what?
Purple beasties – Caulophyllum

Until next…

 

It is well known that over millions of years plants have evolved and adapted their seeds dispersal strategies to ensure that their progeny reaches new places where hopefully they will be able to germinate, thrive, and continue the cycle of life.

Yet, every time I witness their ingenious ways of doing so, I wonder and cannot help but express my admiration: explosive capsules, seeds with ‘wings’ and other flying ‘apparatuses’, floating devices, ‘bait’ for ants, rewards for animals, and so on…

A couple of days ago, I captured by chance a Stylophorum diphyllum capsule already opened, with the seeds rolling down:

Stylophorum diphyllum seeds

Stylophorum diphyllum – split capsule

Distracted by the Arisaemas showing up, I almost missed the Helleborus ‘Cherry Blossom’! It’s not enough that the follicles are opening without warning, they also do it gradually.

Helleborus 'Cherry Blossom'

Helleborus ‘Cherry Blossom’

Then, in the woods I managed to collect a few Thalictrum thalictroides seeds (formerly Anemonella); they are still green when ripe, but only a small touch and in an instant the achene cluster will disintegrate between your fingers.

Thalictrum thalictroides seeds

Thalictrum thalictroides cluster of ‘seeds’

There are many other notorious ‘seed defectors’ like: Corydalis, Epimedium, Anemone quinquefolia, Hepatica, Spigelia, Viola spp.…to name just a few.

Catch them if you can :)