These are Mayapples and the English called them mandrakes and English folklore says they scream when pulled from the ground! As you can see , the white flowers cannot be seen from overhead and so I had to lay down on the ground to photograph them. I did think the umbrella like stalk and leaves have a somewhat tropical effect. Thus my "jungle" fantasy.
The plants beyond the mayapples are lily of the valley. These plants both represent the third year of my effort to restore a woodland garden effect to the north section of our property. It's been a long struggle to remove the prickly ash, gooseberries, burdock and other invasive plants from the area. The south plot is in its sixth year. Also, beyond the overgrown woodlots is my intent to reduce grassy areas, fertilizing, herbicides and mowing. Yes, I'm trying to be more "green."
This area, also in the north section, gets a little more sunlight, so the buttercups seem to do quite well
I must admit some of the flowers I am already seeing, I don't have a clue as to what they are. I cleared brush, did some burning and in the fall threw some seeds on the ground labeled "shady wildflowers." So be it. I'm not going to be a native restoration type of purist either. Mrs T loves hostas. I do too. Japanese "aliens" are more than welcome here.
Finally I built some simple benches, restored an old picnic table and added a fire ring. This project is turning out to be a lot of fun and I'm just getting started!
That looks nice.
ReplyDeleteSo can I have your lawnmower?
i like your mayapples! remember them from wisconsin. :) those tiny daisy-like flowers are called fleabane.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I have seen a Mayapple before, it must be a Southern Minnesota thing:) I love my wildflowers...I should burn mine off again...but it was way to dry this spring. The good thing is I will have lots of wild raspberries as that is my biggest invader:)
ReplyDeleteKudos to you and your efforts. We have tons of Mayapples and we always look near them for Morels. I don't think I had ever noticed their flowers before. Guess I need to get closer to nature.
ReplyDeleteThis is a side of you that I haven't noticed before.
ReplyDeleteLovely wildflower meadow. The hostas are nice too. I'm so glad there are no mayapples here. The thought of a screaming plant upsets me;)
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to think plants scream. Never heard of mandrakes before... must go and check it out.
ReplyDeleteI love those pretty mandrakes, and your little garden is coming along very nicely indeed! Thanks for showing it to me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing with your woodlands. We are doing some of the same on our little patch of land here in town. :-)
ReplyDeleteDo the Mayapples produce a berry?
Carla
Can I say I love that picnic table. Have one just like it in my backyard, but my boards needs replacing. A tad warped.
ReplyDeleteLily of the valley. I recall as a child loving to visit my friends grandmother in early summer. We'd weave our way through her lily of the valley trail, dipping down to collect a blooming stem. Was such fun.
Great job! I like mayapples groves. You can make jam from the fruit but it takes a lot of sugar!
ReplyDeleteYour wildflower areas are very pretty. The area with the firepit is going to be a fun place to spend time enjoying yourself yard.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about Mayapples. Your area is going to be so great to use and as you say, you are just getting started.
ReplyDeleteWe can't burn areas anymore, how I wish we could! I love the shady garden, although my Hostas could use a bit better dirt. Mayapples are pretty wild! I don't think I've ever seen any in person.
ReplyDeleteYes, you've certainly made a "green" paradise. Also ... I am just now reading Elizabeth Berg's latest book " The Dream Lover".
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