Early Blooms

We planted this tree in the front yard twenty-one years ago.  It was one year-old bare root stock; a pencil-size twig.  And for the longest time we never thought it would amount to anything.

It's grown into a handsome young oak tree.  Further evidence of its maturation, it is bearing a sizeable crop of acorns again.  And if history repeats itself, when they ripen they'll barely last a week as the critters will hoover them up in short order.

The species has been forgotten so I asked a forester pal if she might ID the tree for me.  She is confident that it is a Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) commonly known as a Hill's oak.

Towards the end of last month I noticed that the tree had large numbers of catkins hanging from the branches as the leaves of 2025 emerged from their buds.

Yes, oak trees have blossoms too.  These are one of the flowers that are produced by the tree – the male flower to be certain.  This species is monoecious – meaning that it produces both male and female flowers.  Each male flower typically has six stamens (ranges from two to twelve) which have long spreading white filaments when the flower fully opens.  The female flowers are more reddish-green and appear as small slender spikes in the axils of new growth. 

I gave this tree a thorough examination and could find no flowers of the female persuasion. Not surprising inasmuch as they are not visible to the naked eye.  It is from the female flower that acorns are formed.  This species begins producing acorns around 15 to 20 years of age; give or take.  Large numbers of acorns won't materialize until the tree is fifty years of age.  Which makes sense for a tree that will live 90 to 120 years of age. 

As a general rule the acorns will mature in late summer and begin falling in September or October.  

This tree has been producing acorns for about 6 to 7 years.  From last week there is this. 

Overachiever..... 

Messenger of the Gods

Iris is the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow – who also happens to be the messenger of the gods. 

 

This name can also be given in reference to the word (which derives from the same Greek/modern Latin source) for the colored part of the eye and the flower.

 

 

From our walk this morning there was this: Iris versicolor - Northern Blue Flag.

 

 

Blue Flag Irises are native wetland plants, commonly found in wet meadows, marshes, along stream banks, and near ponds and lakes.

Early Blooms

They're done now; but last week was a delightful week for spring bloomers.

The lilacs and apple trees in the yard were really flaunting their stuff...

Early Blooms

The red oak tree in the yard was a bare root stick when planted twenty years ago.  In the intervening decades it has grown into a handsome pre-adolescent.   

The other day I noticed that the tree had large numbers of catkins hanging from the prior year’s growth as the leaves of 2023 emerged from their buds.

Yes oak have blossoms too.  These are one of the flowers that are produced by the tree – the male flower to be certain.  This species is monoecious – meaning that it produces both male and female flowers. Each male flower typically has six stamens (ranges from two to twelve) which have long spreading white filaments when the flower fully opens.  The female flowers are more reddish-green and appear as small slender spikes in the axils of new growth. 

I gave this tree a thorough examination and could find no flowers of the female persuasion. Not surprising inasmuch as they are not visible to the naked eye.  It is from the female flower that acorns are formed.  Red oaks mature sufficiently at twenty or more years of age before they are capable of producing acorns.  Large numbers of acorns won't materialize until the tree is fifty years of age.  Which makes sense for a tree that will live many hundreds of years. 

This tree has been producing acorns for about 5-6 years.

Overachiever.....

 

Messenger of the Gods

Meet Iris Versicolor - commonly known as Blue Flag Iris or Northern Iris, Harlequin Blue Flag, Larger Blue Flag, Poison Flag, plus other variations of these names.  Habitats include wet prairies, along rivers, wet woodlands, swamps, edges of ponds and streams and other low-lying areas along rail lines and roadsides.  It likes wet feet - and it grows naturally along the banks of Silver Creek and in low woodland habitat.  A beautiful and delicate wildflower it propagates by means of an underground rhizome.  Native cultures used the root for medicinal purposes.

In Greek mythology Iris is a personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods - thus explaining the wide range of colors of this member of the iris family.

 

Even More Blooms

In keeping with the appearance of the Flower Moon a week ago recently Jill's iris have exploded in all their glory....

Blooms

 It is the month of the Flower Moon so it comes as no surprise that there are flowers blooming.

An avalanche of apple blossoms and a hedgerow of lilacs.....

Flower Moon

According to the Old Farmers Almanac - we use full moon names that were used during Native American and Colonial times to help track the seasons.  This practice is traced to the Algonquin tribes who lived in the same areas as the Colonists.    

May’s full Moon is known as the Flower Moon.  It signifies the wildflowers that bloom in May.  This includes wild iris, sundrops, marsh marigold, violets and more that are found around here.   The month of May marks a period of increased fertility and the warming days that made it safer to bear young.   For that reason it is sometimes called the Mother’s Moon.  Other names include the Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon.  

The moon will appear full tonight but will reach its peak of fullness at 6:14 AM on Wednesday. 

May's full moon is the second of three Supermoons that will make an appearance in 2021.   A supermoon is a new or full moon closely coinciding with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit.  This is a full moon that is bigger, brighter and more impressive than your garden-variety full moon.       

Such as this comparison:            

JPL-NASA Image

Fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions tonight and tomorrow.

Porch Setting

This week has been devoid of scorching heat and humidity.  Instead we have been blessed with Sunshine, moderately-hot temps and a refreshing breeze.  Perfect for opening up the house to the great outdoors and putting to rest any number of outdoor projects.

And after a shower enjoying a frosty-cold beer from the garage on the porch.

And taking-in all of the flowers that there are at the porch edge to enjoy.

Coneflower (cultivar)

Black-Eyed Susan (cultivar)

Day Lilly

Observation - The Baltimore Orioles have departed.  Saw only three today.  Likely transients passing thru from further north.... 

Yard Blooms

It is appearing to be the last act for Jill’s iris cultivars.  Oddly-enough the native ones are just starting to bloom. 

Nevertheless, other blooms in and around the yard are beginning their first and second acts.......

Tiptoeing Thru The Berry Patch

From our walk is this.

So many of these delicate white flowers covering the ground that it was oddly reminiscent of snow.  Which of course it wasn't.  The wild strawberries - Fragaria virginiana - that are part of the natural groundcover are blooming.

A member of the rose family These flowers will yield one of the sweetest of wild berries.  Although it is rare that the missus and I have an opportunity to taste one.

The critters seem to get them first.

Flower Moon

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac - we use full moon names that were used during Native American and Colonial times to help track the seasons.  This practice is traced to the Algonquin tribes who lived in the same areas as the Colonists.    

May’s full Moon is known as the Flower Moon.  It signifies the wildflowers that bloom in May.  This includes wild iris, sundrops, marsh marigold, violets and more that are found around here. 

The month of May also marked a period of increased fertility and the warming days that made it safer to bear young.  For that reason it is sometimes called the Mother’s Moon.  Other names include the Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon. 

Fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions tonight.

Spring Perennial

Meet Caltha Palustris - the Marsh Marigold - a member of the buttercup family (not a marigold) and a perennial spring wild flower found in our bottomlands this time of year.

This is a difficult plant to miss as the bright yellow flowers are quite showy.  This plant grows along Silver Creek and in the dappled sunlit areas where ephemeral waters gather. 

This plant happens to be edible when cooked.  The tender spring leaves or buds can be blanched in boiling water , cut into bite-sized pieces, lightly salted and served with melted butter.

It is sometimes called Cowslip - a throwback to the fact that it is found in low-lying areas and cows would slip-upon it when they came to the creek to drink. 

Messenger of the Gods

click on image to enlarge

Meet Iris Versicolor - commonly known as Blue Flag Iris or Northern Iris, Harlequin Blue Flag, Larger Blue Flag, Poison Flag, plus other variations of these names.  Habitats include wet prairies, along rivers, wet woodlands, swamps, edges of ponds and streams and other low-lying areas along rail lines and roadsides.  It likes wet feet.  Where fire has been suppressed there remain some remnant populations in low woodland habitat.  

In Greek mythology iris is a personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods - thus explaining the wide range of colors of this member of the iris family.

It grows naturally along the banks of Silver Creek which runs thru our property.  It takes some work to use prescribed burns as a tool to manage the wildness.

Worth it.  Dontcha think...

Taking Time to Smell the Flowers

From last weekend's Peninsula Century Spring Classic bike ride these native roadside gems...

Cypripedium calceolus ( Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid)

Castillega coccinea (Indian Paintbrush)

Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris) 

 click on imagesfor better viewing

While some of my pals like to ride like the wind ignoring all the wonder of nature around them - sometimes it pays to slow down and take time to smell the flowers.

Porch Setting

There is something to be said for porch setting (porch sitting to some of you).  Whether it is enjoying a fresh cuppa joe in the morning...

click on the iris to enlarge

Or welcoming the end of a day of chores with a frosty adult beverage...

Or watching a storm brew-up...

Porch sitting is OK by me.  If they could talk even the girls would tell you the porch is the place to be.  Hours of napping have been had on the porch - even in the winter when the sun is strong.  Labrador retrievers know a good porch when they see one. 

Daffodils

click on the flowers to enlarge

Narcissus (another name for the daffodil), meaning - "narcissism", which comes from "narke, " the Ancient Greek work for deep sleep, stupor or numbness.  Narke is also the root of the word "narcotic."

The name is probably a reference to a toxic paralyzing alkaloid contained within narcissi bulbs.  The good news is the bulbs taste just awful, making it highly unlikely that anyone could even keep down one bite.

Roman soldiers would carry several bulbs with them and if mortally wounded, they'd chow down on the bulbs.  The bulb would work its narcotic wonder and the soldier would painlessly die.

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they're known as the "Lent Lily."

The vase above arrived with dinner guests.  They were picked from their woods on the peninsula where they grow in vast numbers.

Set as a centerpiece on the dining room table along with a ring of shed antlers they make for a lovely spring display. 

Garden Fireworks

The Frau has her own fireworks show going on in her vast flower beds.

There has been an explosion of blooming...

click on flowers to enlarge

Happy Independence Day!

Everything's Coming-up Roses

Check this out...

click on image to enlarge

The Frau's climbing rose bush has climbed almost to the height of the soffit and gutter.

It is the Mother of All Rose Bushes - a chapter ripped from the pages of Little Shop of Horrors...