Spring is popping up everywhere

In the Southeastern U.S., we're in full swing now with spring flowers. 

Many of the Asian ornamentals are flowering (or have flowered):  camellias, Asian species of Magnolia, Prunus mume (Japanese apricot) and forsythia.  The Mediterranean bulbs- crocus, Leucojum, and daffodils are flowering, soon to be followed by tulips and later flowering species (Allium, etc.).

But in our part of the world, the kudos go to our native spring woodland wildflowers (spring ephemerals). They're wonderful in the rich cove forests of the mountains and in remnant patches in the piedmont.  Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) has emerged and starting to flower in our home garden. This was last year at the end of March.  

I need to check in the woodland area along the Heusel Nature Trail in the South Carolina Botanical Garden (where I work) - bloodroot is abundant below the path, along the slope down to the creek.

Spring is definitely here

We now have Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia), Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum), and Hepatica flowering in the Woodland Wildflower Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden (where I work). Wow.

It's early for the Oconee Bells and Erythronium, but on time for the Hepatica americana, which is usually the first native spring emphemeral to flower in our rich cove forest communities.

At the Garden, these were transplanted as rescued plants many years ago.

They've struggled in the hot, exceptionally dry summers that we've had in the last decade, as we don't have an source of water there, except for proximity to the stream.

They're a wonderful reminder to get out and look for spring wildflowers in our natural areas, state parks, and reserves.

First native spring wildflowers

Leaving for work this morning, I saw a lovely cluster of open coral honeysuckle flowers (Lonicera sempervirens) on the fence near the garage.

This is a photo from a previous year.  Quite nice.  Just think of seeing a first cluster of flowers....

 They're the first native flowers I've seen this spring, though I know Hepatica and Shortia are also in flower (not to mention all the flowers of wind-pollinated trees!) Achoo!