Wildflower Week Continues

The wildflower fun continues here at the April Fairegarden. Black Jack in the pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, a passlong from dear Christopher of Outside Clyde, brings joyful memories of visits to a mountain paradise in Western North Carolina. His father, Robert, who had the wisdom to buy the parcel of land long ago recently passed away. Christopher wrote the most eloquent of eulogies that can be seen by clicking here-The House My Father Built. It was an honor to know this fine man, who was also a very fine gardener.

Part of the fun of growing wildflowers that are native to your area is seeing the wildlife they attract. Hummingbirds have been seen feasting on both the near vine of Lonicera sempervirens and the vine on the arbor, Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’. Alas, no photos. Yet.

Woodland Phlox divaricata comes in shades of blues.

This new purchase is nearly white, P. divaricata ‘May Breeze’. It sits atop the deck wall waiting to be placed to best advantage.

Another close relative to the woodland phlox is PPPP, championed by Gail of Clay And Limestone, the inventor of Wildflower Wednesday, the fourth Wednesday of each month that is set aside to show off the wildings throughout the year. All those Ps stand for practically perfect pink Phlox pilosa. This very plant originated in her lovely garden! Thank you, my dear friend.

Please ignore the white handkerchief looking Clematis ‘Candida’ growing on the shed and focus your attention to the grand Hemlocks, Tsuga canadensis now showing chartreuse tips of new growth. A line of these native trees form a hedge along the back property boundary, doing an exemplary job of hiding the chain link fence and providing privacy.

Diligent searching will reveal the artistry of the baby cones, hiding on the underside of the branches.

This golden leaved cultivar of our native elderberry, Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ is not really all that gold. But it is a favorite of the birds who find both shelter from the hot summer sun and sustenance from the dark blue berries that will cover the branches after these flowers bloom.

Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’ shows another colorway in these native plants besides the white and blue flowered types that are also grown here.

Not all weeds are wildflowers, but some are, like the common fleabane, Erigeron philadephicus. Most of these are pulled out, for there are few plants more prolific in self sowing, but we always allow a few to bloom and set seed. The pollinators love these complex flower heads and the white and pink flowers add to the overall garden appearance.

Emerging fern foliage is one of the most dramatic displays in a spring garden. Cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea comes forth with astounding beauty and form.

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Thus ends part two of Wildflower Week, April 2011. Stay tuned for the grand finale. The rest of the story can be found on the link below:

Wildflower Week
Wildflower Week Finale

Frances