Rather than dwell on what’s not happening in the garden, one of my favorite things to do at this time of year is enjoy all the beautiful plants in the woodland area that just take care of themselves. It’s always a little amazing that I spend so much time coddling some of the plants in the garden then so many other go and just manage themselves and are so beautiful.
The Virginia bluebells are all over the garden as well as the woods, but they are really such a beautiful simple flower. When I tire of the foliage I just chop it back and the plants never seem to be any worse for the wear.
The jack-in-the-pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum) have really spread themselves around the garden and the woods in recent years and I don’t mind a bit. They have such an exotic look to them.
Along the stream my absolute favorite wildflower is blooming, although I feel the population has decreased a bit this year. I just adore marsh marigolds.
As I was taking the photo of the marsh marigolds, I was surprised to look down and see this little sedum popping up all along the rocks. I didn’t plant it there and there are no sedums that are native to Wisconsin, so this little guy came from somewhere but I have no idea where. It’s a lovely little accent.
The woods are covered in skunk cabbage, which despite its name, is quite a lovely plant. Right now it looks like bright green hostas dotted throughout the woods. Its bold foliage is the perfect compliment to the just-unfurling ostrich ferns. Soon the ferns will stretch to 5 feet tall and open all their fronds and the woods will disappear into a sea of green.
This little scilla siberica is so charming in the middle of the woods.
The trout lilies are all over the shade garden and I’ve given up trying to get them out. They seem to be relatively harmless and even sort of cute when they flower. This one was shy in the morning, but its flowers are usually open when I get home from work.
I’m so happy we have the little bit of woodland. I can’t imagine a spring without these beautiful plants, made even more attractive by the fact that I didn’t do anything to make them bloom.
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