Wild about the Wildflowers!

[Tallpines]

I intended to do a post keeping up with the wildflowers growing in our woods.
But like so many things, I have been delinquent in that task.

First blossoms in early spring were the Blood Root, and, the Ramps.
Then the Spring Beauties.
The Trilliums.
Dog Tooth Lilies.
Wood Violets.
Dutchmen’s Breeches.
Not sure what the yellow ones are …. Maybe Marsh Marigolds.  I should research them.

False Solomon Seal.
And now the primary blooms are the Wild Geraniums.  They are more intense this year than usual.  More blossoms and more vibrant, intense color.  Depending on the amount of sun they get their color may be a deep pink violet to a more blue violet.

Have not seen any of the Wild Phlox yet.
We do not have any Wild Columbine in our woods but we see it along the ATV trails along with Wild Morning Glories.
Later in the summer we get to enjoy the intensely bright ORANGE Butterfly Weed.

Along all the town roads we can find the Milk Weed, Blue Vervain, and lots of Orange Ditch Lilies and Monks Hood.  The delicate Butter and Eggs, and Birdsfoot Trefoil.  Wild Asters.

There are numerous other blooms that I still need to learn the names.
I know we have Jack-in-the-pulpit here, but I seldom find it …. Until the bright red berries appear in fall.


I truly enjoy and appreciate the palette of colors God has placed here for our pleasure.

(I would never survive living in a high rise apartment surrounded by so much cement)




.

[Woodpecker]

Gee that sounds delightful, seeing surprise beauties popping up all over!!! Most you mention I’ve not even heard of. Wild geraniums, how cool!!! Blood root and the list you made, I never even knew they existed. I know the Asters, geraniums, Columbine, morning glories, but not one of those grows wild here. I want them, I pay 💰

You are blessed to be surrounded by such beauty! The best thing is, you know it’s a blessing 🙌

[midwestgal]

For some reason our wildflowers seem especially vibrant this year. Every day is such a special blessing, enjoying the new wildflowers blooming.

[Melissa]

I need to learn the names of all the wildflowers that grow around here.

[Tallpines]

I learned several of them from my mother as a very young child.
When my kids were in 4-H, almost every year one or more of them made wildflower scrap books for fair projects. We sought out their identities through library books. We were always collecting and drying wildflowers for the scrapbook projects.
Some of them were easy to dry. Some with more moisture content required more frequent changes in absorbent tissues or toweling to keep them from getting moldy.
Great learning experience!

[midwestgal]

Dh has an app on his phone that he takes a picture of the plant or leaf of the plant. Instant ID. I am old school and carry along a little wildflower book. We also do the same thing with trees. lol

[Tim Horton]

I am the northern definition of "black thumb".....

Sweetie can grow anything, anywhere it seems.. This is a plant that is native and wild here in the far north... It is illegal to pick, replant or otherwise mess with it.. Called "Lady Slipper"

[Tallpines]

Seldom see a Lady's Slipper but it is always a treat when we do.
Right now the the cycle of wild flowers brings us a tiny delicate intense baby blue with equally intense yellow dots ---- Forget-Me-Nots!
[br

Also.... the Wild Raspberries are just finishing up with their blossoms. Bigger than usual! Hoping that means bigger berries.
But we do need to keep up with a good weekly rain especially now when those berries are developing.

[indypartridge]

Jun 2, 2022 3:04:15 GMT midwestgal said:

Dh has an app on his phone that he takes a picture of the plant or leaf of the plant. Instant ID.

I use that app all the time! (“Seek” by iNaturalist) I love learning about the wildflowers & plants I see on my walks through the woods.

[Tallpines]

Today I noticed a tiny bright pink wildflower I have never noticed before.
Only about 1/4 inch in diameter.
Google tells me it did not originate in the States so is actually considered "invasive".
None-the-less .... it is cute as a button!
A very tiny button 🙂.

Name ... Deptford Pink.


And .... the ditches have exploded with Wild Bergamot. (Wild Bee Balm)

[Tallpines]

I spotted a new (to me) Wild flower this week!
Took a couple photos and then down loaded the apt, SEEK, that indypartridge had suggested.

Immediately found the match for it.
White Turtlehead !

[Maura]

Does anyone have trout Lilys? They are short plants with brown spots on the leaves. They grow near the stream. Illegal to pick, but they spread nicely.

[Tallpines]

We have Trout Lilies, also, known as Dog Toothed Lilies.
Those names are misleading as they are not really Lillie’s at all

They appear in the spring, and then like so many other spring/early summer flowers, they disappear all too soon..
Others that are around only in the first weeks of warm weather are the Spring Beauties, Blood Root, Dutchman’s Breeches, Trilliums, ….

[Tim Horton]

Over the last several years I have not mowed the whole upper pasture as I did for a while.. Just spot mowing to knock down thistle before it can bloom and seed..

I noticed there is virtually no Fire Weed in the pasture this year.. This a plant that puts out a bright red grass stalk kind of bloom that is a bit of work but makes a tasty tart jelly.. This year we have tons of a wild low bush plant that produces a raspberry type fruit.. Called Thimble Berry...