Wild Ginger in the Garden
Here’s one native wildflower that not many people see. The flower in fact hides it’s unique beauty by laying on the ground.
Asarum canadense
The flower has a regal color that would have pleased any medeval Queen. It’s probably as hairy too, both flower and the paired leaf stems it emerges from are quite fuzzy. Even today Goth girls are warm and fuzzy. Or is that Grunge?
Of course I can’t go to the garden without an escort. Itty Bitty Pretty Kitty had to get into the picture. She was such a pest.
Ginger makes a nice ground cover in shady, rich soil that doesn’t go bone dry in the summer. It will tolerate dry conditions – mine do but it hasn’t spread as well as those growing where the soil retains some moisture.
And yes, wild ginger root can be dried and used the same way as the commercial stuff you buy. Just don’t let me catch you digging any of mine up.
The above photo was taken at a friend’s garden last year. He has a perfect spot and his patch has been there at least 20 years.
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And now for something completely different
Got Good Air?
In the local news today:
The air here is among the cleanest in the nation when it comes to short term particle pollution. At least according to the American Lung Association in their annual State of the Air report. In fact we got the only ‘A’ ranking in New York State. We might be poor but St. Lawrence County has it’s health. You don’t need to be afraid to take a deep breath around here.
Anyone want to buy some bottled air?
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April 29th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Very unique. Again, another flower I haven’t seen around here. I really need to get out more.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
The wild ginger looks different then I thought it would. I have seen the kind that his more tropical.
Kitty looks pleased with the photo session.
I could use some good air since I am sick with bronchitis)-:
April 29th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
goodness, you would miss that awesome flower if you were not looking for it.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
That flower is amazing! I just love seeing something so unusual. We grow a lot of succulents and have a few that also get very unusual blooms. Thanks for sharing~Jacque
April 30th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Thats pretty cool stuff there. And what a cute helper. Reba’s tail has a stripe down the center too. I need to get out and explore to see all the great things you find.
Have a great week, It is pouring the rain here so I may need a boat soon.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
These wild ginger leaves have a wonderful green tone. I like the texture and shape too. Btw, what’s the plant in the picture of your blog banner. A type of wild flowers? Interesting to see how they grow under those dried trees. Have a wonderful day and say hello to Itty Bitty Pretty Kitty for me ok? She is pretty!
April 30th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Good morning, It’s a great little traveling plant in my garden…and thank you for getting down on the ground to capture that perfect flower photo! I have seen seedlings of this plant many yards and uphill from the mother plant…amazing traveler. gail
April 30th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Wild ginger grows in many parks around here, but I have only ever seen its leaves, NOT the really cool-looking flower!!! On the way home from a potential client yesterday, I drove along the Huron River and saw a bunch of skunk cabbage (leafed out) and one clump of bright yellow march marigolds!
April 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
They really are unique… ~ bangchik
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 am
The ginger grows in SE Michigan… Ratty should be able to find it. But it won’t grow over here. The soil is too sandy. Too bad… I love finding it in the rich shady spots.