Plants are popping up vigorously everywhere, and they are adding inches of growth almost overnight. This is a special time when the early bloomers are not yet shaded out by the eventually much taller summer perennials and leafing trees. Below sessile bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia), twinleaf (Jeffersonia dyphilla), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) run the roost. In another month cardinal flower, blue lobelia, wood aster and many others will gain the height advantage and start to take over.
Not to be ignored are the Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum). They are gradually becoming omnipresent and expanding their reach to all corners of my yard.
Mayapple has really taken to this particular area that will eventually be shaded out by the tree canopy. They are starting to form an impressive colony, but by mid summer the leaves will have wilted and disappear from sight as other perennials go for their moment.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and geraniums (Geranium maculatum) are not far behind – I expect them to be in their full glory by mid May.
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