Archive for the ‘Spring in Morris Park’ Category

BLUEBELLS BLOOM IN OUR GARDEN AND BLOODROOT CONTINUES TO BLOOM IN MORRIS PARK

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

The Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) have made their way onto the stage. In our garden they are beginning to bloom, on this day, Tuesday, April 9th 2013. That is indeed our new garden fence in the backround. And behind that is the 1956 Chevrolet stepside.

Bluebells bloom with 1956 Chevrolet stepside pickup. www.thesanguineroot.com

Bluebells bloom with 1956 Chevrolet stepside pickup. www.thesanguineroot.com

The original color of the truck was blue, the original paint is still on the engine and on the underside of the hood. That color would most likely compliment this bluebell the same way this bright noontime spring sky compliments it. At least the truck echoes the leaves of this supremely elegant spring wildflower.

Bluebells bloom in our garden. www.thesanguineroot.com

Bluebells bloom in our garden. www.thesanguineroot.com

On this day, the transition of focus from the Bloodroot to Bluebells has begun.  The exceptionally hot weather featuring temperatures in the Upper 80s in Philadelphia has caused a lot of bloodroot petals to wither and many to fall off. There are many more bloodroot plants on the way up, so there will be much more blooming- this was the first wave of blooms. This highly varied plant has adapted to the ups and downs of spring and has various populations blooming at different times.

 Bloodroot blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia, Tuesday April 9th, 2013, www.thesanguineroot.com

Bloodroot blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia, Tuesday April 9th, 2013, www.thesanguineroot.com

The shape of the petals of this one specimen is especially notable with a pleasing drooping display.  The black and red oak leaves around it hint at the kind of environment the bloodroot likes-dappled shade with rich, moist, but well-drained soils.

 Bloodroot blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia, Tuesday April 9th, 2013, www.thesanguineroot.com

Bloodroot blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia, Tuesday April 9th, 2013, www.thesanguineroot.com

 

 

SPICEBUSH BLOOMS AND MAYAPPLES RISE IN MORRIS PARK

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

The spicebushes are blooming!

Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.cm

Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.com

The ‘forsythia’ of native American habitats, the spicebush holds its own in beauty and color. Also the only breeding habitat for the native Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, this shrub has a significant place in the local ecosystem.

Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.cm

Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.com

It is a joy to see them bloom above the bloodroot flowers in Morris Park.

 Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.com

Spicebush blooms and Mayapples emerge from the earth in Morris park. www.thesanguineroot.com

And the Mayapples are emerging from the Earth in Morris Park, this quite warm and sunny Tuesday April 9th, 2013.

 

 

BLOODROOT IN CULTIVATION, April 4th, 2013, part II

Friday, April 5th, 2013

One another exciting but cold April day in the garden! Interesting to note that certain populations of bloodroot in the garden are not blooming yet, which is great because we will get staggered blooming!

Bloodroot Blooms in our yard

Bloodroot Blooms in our yard

One was accidentally stepped on and broke during the process of photography. After much lament, the specimen then quietly went into the flower press, curled up leaf with the open flower.

 

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