I find myself looking down a lot this time of year. What has popped up, what's blooming? Always something new. Even though I've seen these plants countless times, there are still feelings of anticipation, excitement. Such a brief time they spend blooming and reproducing before disappearing as the trees leaf out. What plants am I talking about?
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| The emerging foliage of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) |
Spring ephemerals!
As I drive along the Oak Trail I move slowly and stop in my tracks. The leaves of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)! Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) just starting to emerge. Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) coming alive. Suddenly those winter blues are lifting.
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| Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) |
It's been just a few weeks and the bluebells are now in full bloom, trilliums finally showing up to the party and the white daisy-like flower of blood root (Sanguinaria canadensis) holds it's head up high, letting us know it's here. Around the pet cemetery a sweet patch of spring beauties blooms, a comforting sight.
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| Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) |
The ephemerals can teach us a lot about strength and perseverance. They bloom despite the challenges they face- the ivy, vinca, lesser celandine and honeysuckle that threaten to swallow them up. But still, they bloom and offer us peace of mind that Spring is finally here.
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| A patch of Trillium sp. |
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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
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-Julie
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