Spring in time of Covid III: native species

April 22, 2020

The first Hepatica started to flower a while ago bringing high hopes of an early spring. Then, cold, bitterly temperatures returned in Ontario and everything has come to a halt. Taking pictures it is always a good way to record the start of growth for various species in the garden and in the wild. It is not only about the pretty flowers ;)

But records apart, I admit it is mostly about the joy seeing the first new shoots and leaves appearing from the ground. After our cold and long winters, the feelings of anticipation and expectation that an early spring brings can hardly be replaced by anything else.

Leaving Hepatica and Caulophyllum aside, I will show early starting NA native species from the garden (most were grown from seeds). The first picture in the gallery is from the garden; second one from the garden or woodland later in the spring/summer (hover for names).

First, the evergreen Geum triflorum (Prairie smoke). It retains a decent foliage all winter long and at the first spring signs will grow new foliage and start flowering. It is quite amazing to have these healthy looking, large clumps in April!

Allium tricoccum (Wild leeks, ramps) foliage; mine are young and may not flower this year.

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) little umbrellas, as well as the first Sanguinaria canadensis(Bloodroot).

Stylophorum diphyllum (Woodland poppy) emerges with the flower buds, well prepared for an early flowering in May.

In the feature image: our beloved Primula mistassinica; this species retains a small rosette over the winter and the flowering stems start growing in early spring.

The native species April-fest will continue soon after I prepare more pictures.
*Note: links are provided for those interested to read more about the species, but of course seeds are not available for many at this time.