WILDFLOWERS AT HOME ( part 5 )

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TRILLIUM

The trillium flower is disappearing in our woods.  In 1980 they were more abundant on the edges of our yard in the shady places.  Now you can only find them in the garden by the fencing (where they are protected) and see just a few here and there under the shade of the large spruce trees.  

I think the abundance of deer has been this flowers downfall in Sherwood in the last several years.  As a child I was told not to pick them and that it was against the law to do so.

WILD LEEK

Although it doesn’t have a flower, this plant is very aromatic, with a smell like onion and garlic.  Our small patch of leek was transplanted years ago from the end of Todd Road near the East Fork of the Black River.  Hopefully it will continue to spread so that we are not afraid to harvest some to season our meals!  

If you accidentally step on it you will smell an oniony odor in the air.  The bulbs can also be harvested and chopped up like garlic cloves to season or make soup with.

PUSSYTOES

These flowers bloom from May until July.  They grow out in the open, in full sun, and this photo was taken on the dike.  The fuzzy flower heads resemble cat paws and that is how they got their name.

SOLOMON’S SEAL

Solomon’s Seal comes up in May.  This plant is a volunteer and showed up on the backside of the house by the bathroom wall.  You can find this wild flower in the woods as well.   While we were gone to Maine for a week’s vacation this year the deer came right up beside the house and ate most of them off.

STARFLOWER

This short tiny flower loves shady mossy areas of the yard and in fact this shot was taken in my moss garden.  Its delicate petals make it special.  The starflower appears in May and its blossom is somewhat short lived.   In a week’s time it could be missed.  The leaves will linger but the little white flower is quick to disappear.

JACK-in-the-PULPIT

This photo was taken under the large spruce tree east of the old cabin.  It was probably introduced by bird droppings as some of the other wild flowers were most likely brought into our yard that way too, especially those under the trees.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit love full shade.  When conditions are right they can get quite tall.  This is another one of my favorite wild flowers.  It can be found from May into June and also grows in the woods.

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TIDY UP

We sweep the floor and someone tracks in,

We mow the grass and it rains and it grows.

We wash the dishes and start cooking again,

We wash the car and we’re led down a dirt road.

So why bother with chores, why hurry and fuss.

It shouldn’t matter anyway, just let it all go.

But the neighbors will complain, they’ll think you’re strange

Who cares, just let things pile up, let the grass grow.

The reason we tidy up, scrub, and push the mower

Is based on our mental state, if we give a damn

And the time when those chores are all caught up,

Is the sweet time we savor and long for again.