Sunday, April 21, 2013

Early Sunday Stroll



So we start our early morning walk off by going down to the creek to see what's new and if we can catch a glimpse of the big heron that comes for breakfast there.  Don't see him this morning though, darn it.


Most of the more interesting plants are back up by the house though and down in the lower valley, so we head back that way.  Feel free to pipe up if you know what these plants are.  I haven't a clue about most of them.  This is a new one that I have only noticed this year.  Each year more and more new (to me) and cool plants seem to pop up as we open up a little more woods here and there, or just cut out the underbrush a little.
 

This batch is new also.  They are about twice the size of fleabane and have the faintest blue tint.


Our native blueberries, or more likely, huckleberries.  I have often found bushes up the side of the mountain just loaded with green berries but by the time they ripen they all seem to disappear.


Some of the scads and scads of native Christmas ferns that blanket my land.  I honestly think I could make some serious side money selling these things by just potting them up.  But I hate to do that.  They seem so happy here.


Some native coral bells (behind the evergreen groundcover) that I did transplant here by the stone retaining wall.  They are one that has really enjoyed me clearing a little and the deer don't eat these but will eat the crap out of bought ones.


False Solomon's Seal??  Real Solomon's Seal??? 


The giant Trilliums that are native to this region.  They are trying to give the ferns a run for their money.


May Apples in bloom with a native Callie Apple.  I mean, Callie Cat.  She's there for scale you know.


Our native pink rhododendron, although most people just called them wild azaleas.  They also come in white.


The elusive rock climbing dog.


Little ferns on rocks.  I have lots of little ferns of all descriptions that grow on the rocks.


Not a clue on this one either.  They started popping up last year and seem to be multiplying.  I like them.


One more pass by the creek before heading home!!

12 comments:

Rita said...

What a nice walk and the creek is so relaxing. The blue flowers toward the end of the pictures are beautiful. So pretty it is hard to imagine they are wild. How lucky you are to have them.

Caddie said...

I so enjoyed the stroll. Thank you. The blooms are vivid with life.

Anonymous said...

What great scenery and flora!! What a cute pup and kitty to have as walking companions.

I love a native flora mystery! I used this website http://www.briartech.com to double check on Northern Alabama native flora.

My first impression of the blue/purple one at the end is a spiderwort--tradesdcantia spp.

And you definitely have false Solomon seal there.
True Solomon seal has bell-like flowers that hang down along the underside of the stem.

I had to do some searching but the yellow one is Bellwort, it's in the lily family.

The blue fleabane is probably just that. There are many plants in the Erigeron family. I had some pop up in my lawn and I just loved them.

Thanks for the lovely pictures.

Ashley in Nebraska

MamaHen said...

Hey Rita! Yes I am! this land is an amazing treasure.

Hey Sissy! You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Hey Ashley! thanks so much for the extensive info! I really appreciate that.

Anonymous said...

A stunning place to call home Annie, those sorts of surrounds always fill me with the gentle peace of nature, nothing beats it!

MamaHen said...

Hey Molly! Yes, it is! thanks! it seems especially peaceful and lovely this spring.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Sunday a.m. walks or any a.m. ones are great. You certainly have a variety of wildlflowers and even the invasive ones are pretty.

MamaHen said...

Hey Bea! yes, I guess some people would consider a few of those to be invasive but they're not bad enough to hurt anything, in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

I am a long-time lurker, new commenter who loves your blog! I think your second picture may be a Large-flowered bellwort. [floraofohio.blogspot.com]

Thanks for the lovely walk.

Maggie in Plano, Tx.

MamaHen said...

Hey Maggie! thanks so much for leaving a comment and the info! I appreciate that and glad you enjoy the blog.

Rurality said...

Hey Annie,
I'm pretty sure it's actually Perfoliate bellwort, Uvularia perfoliata. And we don't say False Solomon's Seal, that makes it feel inferior. We say Solomon's Plume, LOL. Oh and Trillium cuneatum. Resurrection fern. Spiderwort. So jealous of your wild azalea! But, I have 5 kinds of trillium, so neener neener. ;)

MamaHen said...

Hey Karen! that's for the info! I knew you would know all about them. And yes, I'll be sure to label that Solomon's Plume!! Yeah, how ya'll came out with 5 trilliums and I only get one??? But I have all these ferns!! LOL!