Sunday Sketches

Not in my garden! I could not resist the grace and shapes of this delicate flower; the alpine lily.

Actually, this beauty is a native plant of Washington.

I will have to seek her out for my garden :)

More Sunday Sketchers....

Plethora of Trillium

You do not have to go very far off the beaten path to find several dozens of native trillium blooming on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington.

My favorite spot for trillium gazing is the south end of the trail near Woodard Bay. As you begin to walk the path through the woods, the trillium are scattered profusely on both sides. Their little white heads are peaking out even after being battered from all the rain we have been getting. Last year I tried to take a video with my camera, but I will spare you and post photos instead.






When walking the paved trail, look into the woods on either side for white accents.......more trillium.

This is an easy to get to place for viewing a plethora of trillium.

A Native; The Red-Flowering Currant

At the bleak tail-end of winter, red-flowering currant’s flurry of blossoms act like horticultural Prozac. Gracefully drooping clusters of crimson flowers adorn shrubs that have yet to leaf out. The blooms reassure us that yes, spring is nearly here. The rest of the year the shrub is a good garden citizen, greening up nicely with maple-like leaves, making berries for the birds, and turning gently yellow in the fall—while quietly awaiting its return to top billing.

I purchased several native plants from the Conservation District last year and am happy to report most are showing signs of life especially the red-flowering currants. Need I say, the hummingbirds are delighted?!

You can also see the red-flowering currant in open woods, on cliffs, and along roadsides in Washington.

A Bit of the Ocean on the Trail

Summertime on the Chehalis Western Trail not only brings out swarms of people, but also an array of blooming native plants.

Oceanspray has plumes of white flowers that cover the foliage reminiscent of the spray from an ocean wave.




Interesting facts about Oceanspray:

Insects feed and find shelter in this shrub attracting insect-eating birds such as chickadees and bushtits.

The Oceanspray foliage is important food for the larvae of swallowtail, brown elfin, admiral, and spring azure butterflies.

Thickets provide cover for nesting birds.

The long straight branches were historically used for arrows, cooking tongs, mat-making needles, and other tools.


Now I am thinking about taking a trip to the ocean :)

Horsetail

Along the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, I found two versions of Horsetail beginning to grow.




Horsetail is descended from huge, tree-like plants that thrived 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic era. A close relative of the fern, horsetail is a non-flowering weed found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The plant is a perennial (returns each year) with hollow stems and shoots that look like asparagus at first. As the plant dries, silica crystals that form in the stems and branches look like feathery tails and give the plant a scratching effect. That accounts for its historic use in polishing metal, particularly pewter.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is an herbal remedy dating back to at least ancient Roman and Greek medicine. It was used traditionally to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. The name Equisetum is derived from the Latin roots equus, meaning "horse," and seta, meaning "bristle."

Horsetail contains silicon, which plays a role in strengthening bone. For that reason, it is sometimes suggested as a treatment for osteoporosis. It is also used as a diuretic, and as an ingredient in some cosmetics. However, very few studies have looked at horsetail's effect in humans.

I am told by my Master Gardener friend that Horsetail is evasive and you do not want it in your yard. I think it is rather exotic looking. How about you?

Fringecup All Over the Trail

Fringecup is a native plant that is profusely blooming along the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington.


It has fuzzy heart shaped leaves, and spikes of greenish-white to reddish flowers. Believe it or not, gardeners, this plant is slug resistant! Maybe we should intersperse it with our veggies?

Occasionally fringecup will spread aggressively, and during mild winters it is evergreen. Might make a great ground cover, what do you think?

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