Browsing category: Woodland & Meadow Perennials

Looking for Blooms

Did you ever notice how beautiful the blossoms of ordinary wildflowers can be? Although their sheer numbers sometimes keep us from really noticing or appreciating them, many are striking enough to rival plants we deliberately cultivate.

Wild Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

The red wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a member of the buttercup family. This perennial wildflower is also sometimes called rock bells because of its bell-like flowers, and it looks somewhat similar (although not as showy) as the garden columbines.

Dogtooth Violet (Erythronium americanum)

Dogtooth violets (Erythronium americanum) have many names, including trout lily and adder’s tongue. I would guess that the various names came about because the root is white and smooth and shaped like a canine tooth…

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a member of the birthwort family. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and is usually found in shady, wooded areas. The leaves are large… from three to six inches across… and are thick and fuzzy and have prominent veins.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens)

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens)… also sometimes called Indian Turnip because the root is shaped like a turnip… is a unique wildflower.

Bluebead Lily (Clintonia borealis)

Bluebead lily (Clintonia borealis) is a member of the lily family and is also sometimes called yellow clintonia or corn lily. We often find it growing in large clumps near the red trilliums… both plants thrive in the moist, acid soil found in our wooded areas.

Canadian Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Canadian Mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense) have creeping underground rhizomes and spread quickly. The tiny creamy white flowers grow in feathery clusters at the tip of the stems and are star-shaped with four lobes.