It’s the middle of May and the Perennial Parade has begun! and I’m going to document the progression from early spring violas, anemones, and marsh marigolds to late autumn sedum, hydrangea, and coneflowers.
I’m hoping you’ll follow along with me on my new series “What’s Up?” to see how fast all this happens. I only hope I can keep up because I’m not limiting my choices to the perennial garden. My choices will also include wildflowers and other people’s gardens (if I get the chance ;)
Even though our temperatures have been very chilly and the rain seems to be never-ending, the perennials (domestic and wild) are popping up at lightning speed. I hardly know where to begin, but today I’ll start with the lovely Marsh Marigold which flowers in May in Alberta.
Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a small to medium size perennial herbaceous plant of the family Ranunculaceae, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Wikipedia)
These grow wild in an area very near to our home, although many people do use these in their perennial gardens.
This morning I noticed them blooming profusely along a fence in a marshy area, and I had to rush home, get my rubber boots, my shears, and a bucket of water, so I could pick a tiny bouquet.
Note: this plant is rather toxic and contains strong skin irritants that may cause blistering and is also poisonous. I used rubber gloves when handling them.
Here’s the marshy area where I found them this morning:
What’s Up Next in the Perennial Parade?
- My one tulip (which has 3 flowers every single year)
- Anemones Sylvestris from my garden
Be back soon :)
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Ginny says
A ray of sunshine in that tiny yellow vase!! 1 tulip 3 flowers. You made me laugh again. Thanks Barb …
Barb says
Thankyou Ginny .. you made me smile :)
Ann Davis says
Hi Barb,
Lovely photos and great idea. One of my goals is to start a written journal as to what pops up in the neighborhood when. I have been walking the same streets for so long that I knew that this week I would see the first Orange/Red Poppy. And guess what it was there. It only I could talk it home. Lol 😂.
Thanks Barb
Barb says
That is so cool Ann! I do the same thing every year … I know what’s coming but I so far I haven’t written it down (until now).
Kathy says
You always find the most amazing things in ditches and what is most impressive is that you know what they are!!
Our ditches are pretty well similar and I don’t see these little treasures, but I guess that’s because you are attuned to nature in a special way. Lovely post.
Barb says
Thank you Kathy … I’ve always scoured ditches (goes back many years ;)