WiseAcre Gardens

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You know the place, that little spot you don’t want exposed in public. If you follow me around the corner I’ll show you one I had to deal with today.

 Don’t mind her she’s just been hanging around watching me work.

Just a bit farther

 Look over to the corner on the right and you’ll see where the sun don’t shine.

 That corner and all along the wall remains in shade all day long. But there’s no reason it has to stay bare. That is once I gave in and dug up 5 of my Ligularia. I figured if they go and wilt with the little bit of early morning sun they get at my place that they would be happier somewhere else.

 I didn’t rough them up on purpose. They’re mature plants and getting the root system meant a good clump of wet soil that wasn’t easy to wrestle around.

 One of the reasons I like Ligularia is the fact I can tell people to “plant it where the sun don’t shine” when they ask where. Not to say i don’t give the same answer to anyone who bugs me.

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

 I spotted the Golden Alexanders for the first time this season. They’re blooming at the same time as the Wintercress so spotting them is a little tough if you want to keep your eyes on the road at 60 mph.

 The alexanders are not as plentiful since they prefer wetter ground than the Wintercress but can easily be found in roadside ditches. It’s a member of the Parsley Family but no one seems willing to say it’s edible.

 Slow down a little and you’ll see the difference between the flowers of both species. You’ll notice the Golden Alexanders’ flowers are set in umbrels just before you end up in the ditch.

  MINE! MINE! ALL MINE!

 An Alien Wildflower Identified as Taraxacum officinale met an untimely death today in a motor vehicle accident involving a hit and run driver. When caught the driver stated that the dandelion was headed for greener pastures and had to swerve in order to hit it. It was determined a case of self defense and no charges were made. Local lawn enthusiasts hailed the drivers quick reaction noting Taraxacum officinale moves at incredible speed.

The body was left in place as a warning to any others thinking of sneaking into the lawn.

Red & White Baneberry – Foamflower – Garlic Mustard

 White seems to be the theme for today.

Baneberry – Woodland Wildflower

Red or White (doll’s eyes) berries

Actaea pachypoda – White Baneberry

Actaea ruba – Red Baneberry

The Red Baneberry is more common that the white around this area. While the foliage is similar the flower clusters differ as do the berries themselves. Red Baneberry has a rounded flower cluster and the White Baneberry has a tighter oblong cluster.

 

The red was found in the Town of Canton while the white was in the Town of Lisbon.

 Tiarella cordifolia

Also called False Miterwort. The foliage is similar to Miterworts but lacks the stem leaves. Foamflowers have no frills on the flowers and the stamens are very long.

Foamflowers are a bit easier to spot while driving since they seem to grow in groups. I spotted them in the Towns of Canton, Potsdam and Lisbon today.

And the worst was saved for last.

Garlic Mustard

Alliaria officinalis

A biennial with a garlic smell when crushed. This plant is a noxious weed and is considered an Invasive Plant. Once gone to seed it is very difficult to ge rid of and spreads rapidly.

 Often found in the edge of woods it seems to prefer shade and tolerates very dry conditions.