Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Spring Beauty's

Winter has about one day left here in Durham North Carolina, we hope anyway. Still some snow on the ground, but Thursday it'll reach 65 degrees and then into the 70s into Monday.....Yahoo! Here are some wildflower picks I found for you enjoy!Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica This spring wonder should already be out in damp areas nearby here. I'm not sure that we get them in my woods. To find a huge patch of these in the spring is what its all about!
Variegated Milkweed, Asclepias variegata some might call it White Milkweed. We have a huge (what I call huge anyway) patch of them along the road by the mailbox. In fact I know of no where else in NC that there are so many of these plants in one place. I've trekked a lot in NC, most of the wild places anyway.
This is not so local though common in places like Croatan National Forest in coastal NC. It is Dwarf Azalea, Rhododendron atlanticum. Grows to about one foot and the aroma when blooming is wonderful. Once I found a small patch with 6-8 Palamedes Swallowtails on them. Can't wait to get out there in the forest and wander about with my camera, there are lots of wild orchids and endless pitcher plants to wade into.

16 comments:

Shady Gardener said...

Isn't it fun to see what's native in the different parts of the States? We get Spring Beauties, but I've never seen them with so Many pronounced pink stripes. Some of ours are entirely white as well. Our milkweed blooms much later - in August and September - and is light purple. We also have Butterfly Milkweed which blooms about the same time and is orange. :-)

Randy Emmitt said...

Shady,

Just another species of milkweed, this one blooms the earliest around mid may here. We get the Common Milkweed and Butterflyweed too. I've seen maybe 7-8 species of milkweeds here in NC.

tina said...

I really want some spring beauties in my woodland garden. Don't have them yet but will rectify that this year. I like your milkweed. I found swamp milkweed growing wild where I walk. Just loved it! They are all pretty special.

Unknown said...

Randy, these are so beautiful! I can't wait to see what beauty summer will bring to your surroundings.

Dave said...

I'd love to see some of those around here. That milkweed especially.

Michelle said...

Very pretty wildflowers and your photos of the swallowtails are beautiful! I've been itching to get out and take a hike to enjoy the flowers but it has been so wet. I shouldn't complain, we need the rain.

Unknown said...

I love the wildflowers you get. Spring Beauty really is a beauty. We get little wild Irises everywhere here but that's all I've ever seen - at our place that is.

Shauna said...

I am new here! What a great blog :)

Heather said...

Randy- congrats on spring finally making her appearance in your neck of the woods. The flowers are beautiful, color is so nice to see.
-Heather

Anonymous said...

wild flowers can be so beautiful. Your pictures prove that.

Susan said...

Your spring flowers are beautiful! I found you over at Hoe & Shovel. Your little piece of the world looks like paradise.

Cosmo said...

Hi, Randy--Love your Garden Paradise--it's always great to find "neighbors" (well, nearly). Have you seen my friend Phillip's blog, How It Grows? I'm sneaking time at work and can't remember how to put in the link, but he's on my blogroll (and on blogspot) and he's ALL about the natives. thanks for visiting!

sweetbay said...

I love Claytonia, and that is a beautiful shot. I'm drooling over the White Milkweed.

Lovely shot of the Coast Azalea. I have a half a dozen of those and love them. Their fragrance is heavenly.

I like your picks!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to look forward to visiting your blog. Welcome to blotanical too!

Jan said...

Lovely wildflower blooms...will that milkweed attact the butterflies like the common milkweed will? The first flower reminds me of a perennial geranium, one I want to find to put in my yard! My mom lives in Fuquay Varina, I don't know if that's close to you guys or not? Your weather has moved a bit of our spring at this point, by now. I love NC springs!

Randy Emmitt said...

Jan,

Yes White Milkweed attracts butterflies. Around here when it blooms you know that the great Spangled Fritillary will make its first appearance and likely on this milkweed. We also find little gems like Eastern Pine Elfin and Juniper Hairstreaks on it as well.