The rock garden is at its peak by late May—varied plants form a colorful tapestry. Prominent in the above photo, white Foam Flowers float above the scarlet stars of Fire Pink and red bells of Columbine.
By month’s end, the early spring flower show is over. Ephemerals close up shop just as trees begin to leaf out overhead.
May Apples hit their stride with wide umbrella-like leaves and singular white flowers. Soon, their distinctive lemon-like fruits will form underneath the leaves.
Their patches increase in size every year, and they are effective for shading out the invasive Stilt Grass, though they also shade out plants shorter than themselves.
Yet, May Apples play well with taller ferns, Sassafras seedlings that sprout from runners, Wood Poppies, and Cohosh. They form a stable understory community.
Our infrequent, but always welcome, Jack in the Pulpit stands above lower plants.
Bluebells burst out quickly, but will disappear before the heat of summer.
Meanwhile down at Secret Springs, the Golden Club display their peculiar blooms.
Reptilian neighbors pass through on their search for new breeding grounds and/or mating opportunities. Here, Snapper and Wood Turtles.
Other resident (and showy) snake species of the land: Milk, Ringneck, and Water. All are harmless.
Handsome Green and Leopard frogs hang out at Mossy Bottoms.
Sometimes a friendly Tree Frog shows up at our window.
Wild Geranium seems to like it here. We see more each year.
Meanwhile, the Prickly Pear Cacti twins freshen up and will soon bloom. Amazing to see this transformation from their withered leather winter appearance.
Wild Canids prance through woods and meadow—here, a Red Fox likely hunting the plentiful Chipmunks and baby Rabbits.
With increasing sunlight and tree leaves unfurling, the spring show will give way to a new cast in the expansive voluptuousness of summer.