While waiting for spring…
Considering the current weather, the ‘real’ spring will be delayed this year and most likely we’ll enjoy our beloved spring flowering native species a bit later than usual.
The spring of 2020, a Covid year, was similar. Combined with the traveling restrictions I had plenty of time to write and emphasize about various native species growing in my garden; most of them grown from seeds of course!
While doing it, I was enjoying the true spring harbingers, which are non-natives. Truth is, all very early spring flowering plants in our cold climate: the snowdrops, reticulate irises, crocuses, hellebores…are non-native species, and I wouldn’t be without any of them. There is always plenty of space for both categories 😉
Looking back, it is nice to note the progress in my garden: the patches of wild ginger have greatly expanded and I already divided them, same goes for the mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), the waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), Maianthemum stellatum and even Sanguinaria canadensis. Many seedlings shown back then (in 2020) are now at flowering and fruiting stage! Even a few Claytonia virginica patches escaped the squirrels foraging.
It is worth repeating, at the beginning of a new season when everyone gets easily excited, that depending on the region where we garden and the particularities of our garden, we have to think carefully what native (and non-native) species may adapt and grow well for us. As much as we would like, we cannot grow all of them.
Like I said at the time, “trying to use locations in the garden that reproduce the native habitat is the key to their happiness”.
Also, by growing from seeds and planting more seedlings in the garden, usually ensure more success than buying and planting just one mature plant in one location.
Click on the green links, review, take notes, make garden plans and spring will soon arrive!
Spring in time of covid III – about Allium tricoccum (wild leeks), Stylophorum diphyllum (woodland poppy), Primula mistassinica, bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).
Spring in time of covid IV – about native plants for moist areas, Indian paintbrushes (Castilleja), Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) and other Irises, Parnassia, Lobelia, Zigadenus elegans….Castilleja coccinea has even flowered one year and few self-sown seedlings may continue the show.
Spring in time of covid V – about other woodland species like Asarum canadense (wild ginger), Caulophyllum (blue cohosh), Prosartes lanuginosa (yellow mandarin).
More about other native species in the “Wildflowers” category posts.
Hepatica species have a whole page dedicated to them!
Also use the “Search” tab: write the plant name you are interested in and if something was written, it will show up. Want to know about the Golden seal? (Hydrastis canadense) just write the name and all the posts will line-up.
