A Perfect Spring Day -- April 11, 2010

Like beauty, a perfect spring day is likely in the eye of the beholder. For me, such a day consists of getting work-work done in relatively good time -- that is checking on the crops at the nursery, and responding to any urgent emails, proceeding on with some garden work at home, spending some quality time with the family, and/or possibly while, checking out some cool plants. Of course, all under warm, sunny skies with a gentle breeze at 16C (61F).

Today was such a day. Here's a few pics from the latter part of the day.

First is Sanguinaria canadensis, the Bloodroot, both the single and double ('Multiplex') form, one of typical yet unique plants of spring. It is native to most of the eastern half of North America, and a red dye can be made from the dried root.
The Tulip is certainly another common harbinger of spring, but despite the impressive displays up in Ottawa and over in Holland, I can sometimes quickly tire of the large, modern hybrids, preferring rather the cute and dainty species. Here is Tulipa humilis:
Here's an Anemone, likely A. blanda, the Grecian Windflower:
The day would not have been perfect without some time with family. After a walk along Lake Ontario with the dog, I took my daughter Sarah along with me to the Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens.
Finally, without much identification, as I've never been much of a "woody" guy, spring is never complete without a couple Magnolia or fruit tree flowers:

Here's to dirt under your nails.

Mark, the coolplantsguy

A Cool Native Plant, the Canadian Bloodroot

Here's a cool native (eastern North America, from Nova Scotia, west to Nebraska, south to Arkansas and northern Florida) plant that I've long been enamoured with -- Sanguinaria canadensis, the Canadian Bloodroot.














It is a unique plant in that the flower emerges first from the rolled-up foliage (it almost look like a cigar) in early spring, usually blooming here in Niagara in mid to late April.

Plants at nurseries can look a little sparse, but a single stem planted in the garden will quickly form a good-sized clump, as pictured, after a few years.

The common name, Bloodroot, comes from the reddish sap that is revealed upon the breaking of various plant parts, but particularly the roots.

A very cool, and longer-flowering, double form also exists, S. canadensis 'Multiplex'.




















Here's to dirt under your nails! Spring is (finally) just around the corner.

MPD