Happy Easter
Beth and son Josh dyed Easter eggs yesterday to continue a tradition going back many years. No little kids around this weekend but we can pretend.
The first week of April is a great time for the spring ephemerals. It seems like everything wants to come out the ground at once following the winter doldrums. I am especially fond of hepaticas and they are in the midst of their bloom cycle right now.
Hepatica nobilis large form blue shade
This is a particularly large flowered hepatica that I got several years ago from Seneca Hill Perennials (now closed).
Hepatica nobilis large form blue shade (single flower)
Also in flower is a lovely pink seedling from Hillside Nursery.
Hepatica japonica Hillside seedling
A few years ago I got a pink seedling from Thimble Farms that has lovely purple stamens. It’s very hard to photograph because the slightest breeze will set it to vibrating.
Hepatica japonica seedling
I’ve also noticed that one of the american hepaticas has a very nice pink cast to it.
Hepatica acutiloba ‘pink’
There are more hepaticas still emerging. Meanwhile their friends the corydalis are popping up around the yard.
Corydalis solida ‘Beth Evans’
One of Janis Ruksan’s best corydalis is Gunite, named after his wife.
Corydalis solida ‘Gunite’
A rather special flower is the Fritillaria stenanthera.
Fritillaria stenanthera
It is unlike any other Fritillaria that we have.
Fritillaria stenanthera
The flowers point outward and are individually quite lovely. It seems to be thriving outside.
Right beside it is a very nice adonis. This was apparently a spot that I thought was exceptional because I put two rather nice plants in about the same place. We will let them work it out.
Adonis amurensis ‘Beni Nadeshiko’
Of course my go-to Adonis for distinctive variety is always Adonis ‘Sandansaki’.
Adonis amurensis ‘Sandansaki’ middle stage’
In it’s early stage it has only a small green bud in the midst of a yellow flower. By the end, it’s pretty much all green lion’s mane.
Adonis amurensis ‘Sandansaki’
It has three buds this year, the most ever.
Other yellow highlights are in the troughs and the alpine beds.
Draba aizoides
This one sits in the small trough by the back door.
Draba acaulis
The Draba acaulis is in one of the large troughs by the door to the greenhouse. Nearby is a pasque flower getting ready to emerge.
Pulsatilla halleri slavica
Reliably scattered around the yard are Primula vulgaris to reflect the way they are found in the wild in England.
Primula vulgaris
And of course I’ve not mentioned the daffodils all over the place or the Hellebores that are everywhere — but that’s another story…
Hellebores galore
Beautiful hepaticas. Thought I’d have a go at raising them from seed this year. Are they difficult?
They are pretty easy from seed if you start with fresh seed. I know there are several places in England that advertise fresh seed (or if you know someone, the seed is very easy to harvest. You want to get the seed in May. And then the pots can winter outside if you keep the animals at bay. It takes about 3 years to get to the flowering stage.
Awesome selection of spring treasures, I can only imagine how the hellebores and daffodils look!
Nice to hear that the frittilaria is ‘thriving’. You don’t here that a lot 🙂
What a wonderful flower display for the Easter weekend!
That’s a super interesting Fritillaria, I have to google about it now :), not to mention the Adonis. Sandansaki remainds me a bit of Anemone nemorosa ‘Monstrosa’ but even more dramatic in appearance.
I can’t believe all this is already blooming for you! Waahhh!! My corydalis is up but not blooming and neither are my primroses. You really do have some cool plants.