Wildflowers in the Garden
I’ve got to get out and wander the ‘wild’ areas again. My soul needs to reconnect to the nature surrounding me. I’ve been too busy and have neglected one of my favorite pass-times over the last couple years.
I’m going Wildflower Hunting.
It’s time to add another trophy to the garden. I have the mount all set. My ‘bog’ area is waiting for the first emergence of the hibernating Marsh Marigold. It’s easy prey. They’ve established a huge colony nearby and they have no defense against my shovel.
They’re going to like their new home and I’ll be rewarded with some early spring color. I don’t just dig things up. I make sure I provide my wild friends with growing conditions they need. Often their new home is better suited since I attempt to save those that I find growing in borderline conditions.
Sometimes I find something rare (locally) and endangered. This Grass of Parnassus was found on a ‘trail’ through some cedar woods. The seep they were growing in was soon to become part of a tractor path through an area being clear cut. The original colony is now long gone. Those I saved are still doing well over 10 years later. If I had to pick a favorite flower these would be it.
Another ’save’ was the Bloodroot I took from a hedgerow/brushline that was being cut. The sun exposure they were going to get after the cutting was sure to doom them.
Some wildflowers don’t need saving. Jewelweed will make itself at home. So much so that I’m constantly pulling it out of the bog garden.
Others get a bad rap. I’ll always have room for Goldenrod. I do have to watch it since it does have an aggressive nature. But it’s not the allergy monster many think it is. The blame there goes to Ragweed.
I better stop - this is getting a bit long now. But these are a few of my favorite things
