I don’t quite know how I’ve missed this wildflower party before now, given my appreciation for wildflowers and native plants in general, but while reading Shirley’s most recent post at Rock-Oak- Deer, I realized her excellent profile of wildflowers was part of a bigger picture. Duh.
Thanks to Gail at clay and limestone for hosting the monthly celebration of wildflowers of all sorts. Though it’s my first post and a day late for this month, I’m in.
My Golden Groundsel (Packera obovata), is blooming and so cheery on this gloomy, wet day. It’s an early blooming, tough little shade-loving perennial which brightens up a woodland setting.
For more information about Golden Groundsel, check out the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database page.
I have Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) popping up all over my gardens.
The original couple of transplants were pass along plants gifted to me, so I’m not entirely positive that what I have is the S. occidentalis, though I think it is. Check out the pages on Spiderworts or Tradescantia in the Native Plant Database and see for yourself how many are native and available throughout North America.
The Columbines are finally starting their spring show–later this year than in the last few years. I have both the Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinkleyana),
and the native Wild Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis),
plus hybrids of the two.
Finally, the Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is in total bloom mode.
So far, we don’t have many butterflies or hummingbirds, but no doubt they’ll find this plant soon and feast, feast, feast. This is a must-have vine for any gardener wishing to provide a food source for a variety of critters, insects and birds alike.
Thanks again to Gail at clay and limestone for this chance to focus on and appreciate the plants we have, native to where we live.
My Gardener Says... 
Oh wow, those Coral Honeysuckle blooms are amazing. Mine hasn’t bloomed yet. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful Columbine blooms since I don’t have a good spot for it.
Monarchs are all over San Antonio right now and we don’t have a thing to offer. The nurseries don’t have milkweed yet and my blooms are very slow this year.
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I really enjoyed your post–it inspired me to participate! Yeah, that honeysuckle is very happy apparently. Oh, that is so sad about the Monarchs–I do hope they find something to eat as they travel north. My milkweed survived, but is barely up from the roots, so I think I’m going to buy some to pop in somewhere in my gardens.
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What a gorgeous display! It has been seeing your coral honeysuckle in bloom that motivated me to trim away shading branches over mine. Things aren’t in high gear yet but I definitely can see a difference. Thanks for that and for sharing all the lovelies here.
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I hope your honeysuckle will shape up and bloom right!! I think mine is simply in the right spot–good sun and decent soil. Spring is here–now if we can only get some rain….
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Are you sure you’re in Tennessee! Your blooms are way ahead of mine in Nashville! Tiger Garden1 must be an Eden! Glad you joined the celebration. gail
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Actually Gail I’m in Austin, Texas and probably our winters aren’t quite what yours are, though I’m glad to see that we’re all experiencing spring growth!
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LOVE your wildflower tour! I have the same ones and am thrilled that someone loves them as much as I do. Great to see your blog again!
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Hi Linda-thanks for stopping by! It’s nice to blog again and I know that we have many favorites in common. Happy Spring to you!
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