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LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING

 

Winter 2012 -2013 has been so far snowless in Philly. A few inconsequential dustings…

The dead leaves on the ground have been a prominent feature of the landscape.  This has been a great time to examine and review the bark and trunks of trees and the growth habit of shrubs and trees, the bones of the forest landscape. The light of winter is also a fine and exhilarating medium to explore, comprehend and appreciate, first through our own eyes, and then through our cameras, so we can share the visual experience and repeat it if we desire.  The winter’s light is something we have looked forward to, and gotten used to and now we are starting to think about the changes ahead.

These are just a few of the places and times that stand out in our anticipation of Spring that we will outline for you here:

THE BLOODROOT IN MORRIS PARK

On March 21st, 2013, we are anticipating the big change, where the winter’s light is suddenly gone, and is replaced by the light of spring.   The mood of the forest changes, in some instances subtlety, and on some days around the equinox, the changes are dramatic.

Our favorite change is the Bloodroot flower, which emerges on the Spring Equinox in Morris Park like a clock. It is easily missed among the sun-bleached leaves in the afternoon early spring light.  These next few pictures are from early springs past, 2011 and 2012:
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However if the colonies are big enough, as they have been in Morris Park, than the pure white flowers of Bloodroot stand out in the early spring afternoon (these flowers tend to stay closed in the morning). A nice sunny afternoon in the last week of March and early April is the best time to visit.

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IMG_1378The flowers are swarmed by the bees, which spread the pollen right away. The yellow stains on the middle flower, pictured above exemplify this.

THE OAK TREES OF MORRIS PARK

IMG_1398This acorn, pictured above is the future of the forest. We try to control the invasives every winter in the holes in the forest canopy. This is an encouraging scene depicting an acorn in Morris Park that has germinated and is trying to root itself, right in an area that was infested with multiflora rose and Japanese honeysuckle, which we had removed! So far, every area that was infested with Multiflora Rose and Japanese honeysuckle (with no seedling trees) where we had simply removed the invasives, now has trees growing in that area! We have had to return multiple times every year in a follow-through maintenance effort (often weekly), removing emerging invasives in these areas. This Spring we look forward to watching the trees germinate and grow in the areas we have removed invasives this winter.

 

SHENKS FERRY WILDFLOWER PRESERVE

We visit this site along the Susquehanna River in early to mid April to see the most elaborate display of wildflowers bloom. Isabelle, pictured below is very content among the Phlox, Bluebells, Trilliums and Mayapples.

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THE SCHUYLKILL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Right in the City of Philadelphia is a beautiful ravine full of spring wildflowers, most notably the woodland Phlox pictured below. They are working hard to promote and protect wildlife, native plants and educating the public. They even have a native plant sale every Spring which is wildly popular!  This is the Happy Spring Place!

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THE GARDEN OF THE SANGUINE ROOT

Our garden is the next stop on our wild tour of the spring. This picture below could be Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, or the Schuylkill Center, or even Mt Cuba Center, but it is just our humble Philadelphia rowhouse garden which we look forward to every spring. We do most of the work in the fall and let it all happen in the Spring, which for us gardening-wise is a quiet time of observation and exultation.
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Lastly, the impression of the Pinxterbloom Azalea in Morris Park has us dreamin’. Above the deer browse line this shrub is still able to bloom on just a few specimens. It is a spectacular show of flowers and we, as well as Philadelphia Parks and Rec staff have worked hard to preserve these few shrubs by removing the invasives around them.

MORRIS PARK, PHILADELPHIA 
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SUMMERTIME IN THE GARDEN OF THE SANGUINE ROOT

The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

This Lobelia cardinalis was a pleasant surprise.  We had planted it in various places in the yard where it would last a year or two, producing seed and great flowers only to disappear. Now it’s reappearing in a place we did not expect.  Now we have to walk over it as it is growing so close to the brick walkway it is covering it.

Lobelia cardinalis The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Lobelia cardinalis The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

This flower is so red it cannot be matched and a picture does not fully show off the deep red color.  In the shade, this flower glows and the red color is magnificent.

Hibiscus moscheutos The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Hibiscus moscheutos The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

This is the Hibiscus mosheutos, ready to open. The flower is six inches in diameter.   This one likes its feet wet as well as a sunny location. After a flowerless season in the shady front yard, Isabelle had the idea to place it in the sunny backyard next to the drainpipe.  Now it is flowering.

Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Each flower lasts only two days, but the plant produces so many flowers that there are plenty to appreciate on any given day.

Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

The bees love this flower and were cycling around it every few seconds making a photograph possible.

Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Hibiscus moscheutos, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Here are two blooming Hibiscus moscheutos flowers with ones on the way in the middle. The lower one has already bloomed and is on its way to producing seed, the flower having fallen off.

Lonicera sempervirens, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Lonicera sempervirens, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

This native honeysuckle is a flower factory.  It has been cranking out flowers all summer.  The Hummingbirds have been visiting this flower all day every day.  Strategically planted right outside the window, we can watch the hummingbirds from the comfort of the couch.  The Hummingbirds rough up the flowers which fall off often. Our summer mornings are not complete without coffee, Lonicera sempervirens and Hummingbirds.  The  red Lobelia is also attracting the hummingbirds, which is growing at the foot of the honeysuckle vine.

Joe-Pye weed, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Joe-Pye weed, The garden of the Sanguine Root. The Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia Pennsylvania

If the word weed in the common name Joe-pye-weed is discouraging to you in your plant selection process and this great flower is passed by, you are missing out. We have two Joe-pye weeds, Eupatorium purporeum and Eupatorium fistulosum for starters.  This is a stately and entertaining plant and does not behave like a weed at all.  Bees love it, as the above picture shows, and it has an ornamental value.  It is versatile and drought tolerant.  The leaves have a soft inviting texture and the flowers have subtle tones of pink that look great against the backdrop of summer green.