Moist and Ferny Spring Things
After weeks of difficulty in finding worthwhile topics to post about in late winter, spring throws topics at me several times each day. Nursery visits, outdoor adventures, emerging plants, springtime wildlife -- so much going on! So we'll start this week with photos taken last week after a rain.
Everything was so moist and fresh, the lady fern fronds emerging especially so. I couldn't resist their fascinating forms!
Fascinating indeed when you look closely!
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| Looks like a sea creature! |
The ostrich ferns have just barely started. This one was the first:
There were other things that caught my eye this morning besides ferns, mainly shining reds...
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| Smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria) |
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| Tiny japanese maple seedling |
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| Japanese maple 'Fireglow' |
...but also the blue of this allium:
Such a strong foliage form combined with the color -- wow! Add some mercuric raindrops...
...and it's impossible to resist! (I think this was one that I planted last fall. Will have to ID it after it blooms...)
Sedge flowers too, once upset me by "ruining" the foliage...
...I now appreciate as a sign that spring is truly here. Lovely when viewed in the right context too.
Another surprise for me, this Anthemis keywayi 'Sauce Hollandaise'...
...looks so much like a tiny Melianthus, at least when the leaves are at this stage. Also, this plant spread a little bit, so I get to put it in a second spot in my garden!
Spring!
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Aaahhh, emerging fern fronds. One of my favorite things in nature. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos.
Gerhard: it's those who can't grow ferns who appreciate them most I think. :)
Lovely! I really like your up close pictures.
Emerging fern fronds fascinate me more than most other plants because of the way they unfurl and look almost like aliens. Great shots! Welcome spring!
Agreed! That last shot does look like a tiny Melianthus...and add me to the fern lovers group.
I just learned last year that ferns reproduce via spores... How did I never know this?
Love your spring shots - especially as I wake up to 20 degrees this morning!
Renee: thanks!
Peter: Each fern species has a different way of doing it too when you start looking closely. I'm upset if I miss seeing these unfurl!
Loree: I know you grow some ferns, but can't remember where... near the pavilion?
Lisa: fern reproduction is pretty amazing for sure! 20 degrees? Damn polar vortex!