Figure 1. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadensis), Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepaticaacutiloba), and Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)
| When planning a new garden or looking for new additions to an existing one, I find it helpful to visit natural plant communities for inspiration. One of my favorite spots to visit in the spring is Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs, OH. The number of spring ephemerals is spectacular, and seeing them all coexist gives me endless ideas. This year, I visited Clifton Gorge in the first week of April when some of the earliest ephemerals were blooming. A common sight on the slopes and rocky outcroppings were mixes like we see in Figure 1. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadensis) grew happily on nearly-vertical surfaces along with Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), and more. This scene is one that I am attempting to directly adapt to my own yard. Combining the differently shaped leaves of each species appeals to my eye. Knowing that these species happily coexist gives me confidence in my project. |
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| Figure 2. Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), Grand Merrybells (Uvulariagrandiflora), and Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) |
| In 2022, I visited the same site during the first week of May and saw many of the same plants, but additional late-bloomers as well. By the point in time when Figure 3 was taken, Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina [Maianthemum] racemosa), and others had joined the party. Many of the shorter perennials like Dutchman’s Breeches and Sharp-lobed Hepatica had finished blooming, and the larger plants with broader leaves were making use of what light was still reaching the floor of the gorge. This natural succession would keep a woodland garden interesting all spring long. |
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| Figure 3. Great White Trilium (Trillium grandiflorum), False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina[Maianthemum] racemosa), Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba),Grand Merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora), Wild Stonecrop (Sedumternatum), and Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) |
| Another newcomer by that time was Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), shown in Figure 4. Seeing plants with similar three-parted foliage like the Jacks and the Trilliumbloom in such wildly different shapes makes these natural neighbors appealing garden partners as well. The ubiquitous Sharp-lobed Hepatica also makes an appearance near this lovely Jack-in-the-Pulpit. |
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| Figure 4. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepaticaacutiloba) |
| In addition to Clifton Gorge, I also visited Shawnee State Forest in West Portsmouth, OH on May 1st in search of birds and wildflowers. I was not disappointed in either regard. While I was looking into the forest canopy for warblers, a bevy of great perennials shared the shady hillsides. Figure 5 shows four of the wildflowers that we found all along our drive through the preserve: Great White Trillium, Wild Ginger, Wild Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum), and Dwarf-crested Iris (Iriscristata). You could see the progression from the deep shady areas with the Ginger and Trillium to the sunnier openings full of Iris. The Cranesbill was present throughout. I could definitely see planning a space with some of these plants – using the Ginger and Trillium closer to a shade source, and the Iris and Cranesbill further out. |
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| Figure 5. Great White Trilium (Trillium grandiflorum), Wild Ginger (Asarumcanadensis), Wild Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum), and Dwarf-crestedIris (Iris cristata) |
| The next time that you need some inspiration for your garden, I encourage you to check out some of your local parks and preserves. You’ll gain extra insight into what conditions each plant prefers, and maybe you’ll discover some surprise pairings to incorporate into your yard! |
May 2023 Newsletter
