April is already over, but it was a busy month for first time bloomers! I counted at least 14 different native plants with flowers on display this month.
If I counted dandelions, red deadnettle and a couple horrible invasives I’m fighting — garlic mustard and vinca vine — the place was pretty much covered in flowers.
I’ll list them here in roughly the order I noticed them, but they were all going strong for most of the month. And apologies to all the trees and shrubs that put on a show, I’m only showing forbs.
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
Praire Smoke is a holdover from March when it started to put on a ground-hugging show of pretty pink flowers.
Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Celandine Poppy had one lone flower in March, but in April a big patch of them brightened a partially shady spot with their big yellow blooms.
Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica)
These delicate blossoms might be easily missed if you aren’t walking in the woods in early April. Once you see one, you’ll see a bunch.
Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)
Cutleaf toothwort is a small little flower with interesting leaves. It catches attention because it’s one of the first to flower. When its attention grabbing neighbors start to bloom, this one is already starting to fade away. But the bees waking up in the spring aren’t worried about looks, they’re just thankful for the food!
Violets (Viola spp.)
There are many native violets and they come in many colors too. I think they are a great addition to a lawn or flowerbed and I try to encourage them. They are the host plant for fritillary butterflies and many birds and ants enjoy their seeds. Basically, violets are an all-round spring rockstar.
Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
These have to win the prize for most unique spring flower and/or best name. Once you see them atop their fine foliage, you’ll have no trouble remembering what to call them.
Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
No spring is truly complete without a walk through a patch of bluebells. Pure heaven!
Jack-In-The-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Not very flowery looking this one. But it’s so cool I love finding it in the woods every spring.
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Woodland phlox is one of my favs! It’s a nice low-growing clump covered in bright purple flowers. I’ve planted much outside my windows, but I think I love it even more when I find it growing naturally in the woods.
Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
Jacob’s ladder has great flowers, and great leaves. Can you see how it got its name?
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
This compact plant is covered in pretty pink flowers by the end of April and they in turn are covered with bees and butterflies. I’m always finding new places to plant more of these.
Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum)
When you see a trillium flower, pause for a moment of appreciation. It took that plant about 10 years of preparation before making the first flower. Whatever you do, don’t pick it!
Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
I remember as a kid I used to bite the little bulbs off the tips of these flowers for the nectar. Now as an adult I wait patiently for the perfect hummingbird picture instead. Apparently not patiently enough though as the perfect photo has yet to be snapped. I also find these are the easiest flowers for seed collecting. Basically, when the seeds are dry, you pour them from the little cup the plant makes, and then you spread the seed where you’d like them to grow. And *poof* more flowers the next spring!
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
In addition to the pretty flowers that spring pollinators love (and one specialist bee literally cannot live without), this plant is the host for several swallowtail butterflies. Definitely find a spot for this one in your pollinator garden.
Shady Mailbox
An old neglected area around the mailbox and under a canopy of trees is the perfect spot for some spring wildflowers.
May is already here and new flowers are starting to bloom. Looks like another busy month around this little acre of nature. Happy gardening everyone!
Dutchman’s Breeches gets my vote for best name, but Prairie Trillium wins for fortitude!
Are these all shot on iPhone? Which one? The quality is great.
Yes, all on an iPhone XR. It’s good for close still photos, but I miss a zoom for bird photos…