h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A couple years ago I dug up a couple of dog tooth violets form my father's land. Last Spring one of them bloomed. I didn't remember where I had transplanted them though, so when I planted some stuff near them last year, I worried that I might have dug them up in the process.

But no, In just saw one of the telltale mottled leaves, and more coming out of the ground. .

The leaves apparently reminded someone of the markings on trout, which is why it's called Trout Lily.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythronium_americanum

Paul it is such a beautiful and very dainty looking flower. It is wonderful news to hear that have returned to bloom in your garden.

When I planted them, I was worried that I might be putting them in a bad place, especially since they love moisture. But they're right under the eaves, where water drips every time it rains. the soil must be okay for them, because they are obviously spreading underground.

I have seen wild lilies when I went on a nature walk last year which was situated near chalk cliffs at the Chafford Gorges nature reserve where they maintain the land so as to encourage the return of the natural fauna to the area. I have seen quite a few beautiful wild flowers in my own garden which are yellow and orange in colour and some of them are violet in colour.

I like to wander in my back yard and discover wildflowers I didn't know I had.

The Grande Mariposa Lilly is on of my wild favorites.

http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Splendid_Mariposa_Lily_(Calochortus_splendens).jpg

Though called a lilly, this difficult to cultivate plant is actually a low platform, hardy perennial, floribunda wild tulip, flower and seed parts in particular nearly identical in form with tulips though somewhat different in scale.

One of those flowers seriously considered as an alternative to the California golden poppy as state flower.

My "Johnny jump-ups" finally came through this season, though its been years since I seeded them.

I usually sprinkle Johnny Jumpup seeds in hanging baskets left over from the previous year. They then self-seed for four or five years running. I never have to life a finger to have those delightful little blooms.

Their nice to have.

My current cluster apparently found themselves a pleasant niche in a crevice between some rock gardening border stones.

~ Sounds so delightful. ~ . , , ,, ,,,

~ I like things that happen naturally. Not confined and controlled. ~

I've had a lot of plants that were self-seeded from plants the year before.

Looking over the wild herbs growing on the grounds of the hospital.

Found one native chamomile variety that looks interesting.

Which reminds me that I want to start a wild salvia vulgaris (wild European sage) in my herbal ground covers late this year.

That particular herb, the basis of official culinary sage, was first ordered into cultivation by Charlemagne, hence the sobriquet, "that sovereign herb".

Today I saved Private Coneflower and Lady Dewberry.

These were plants growing between the cracks in my front walk, or in an area where they might be pulled up by mistake. I've moved them to safer places.

Gardens here are looking pretty soggie. We have had 146 days of rain on Wednesday since the 1st of October. 154 day per year is normal.
And Astoria at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River has had 167.(84 inches)
We also had a bad winter of snow and ice, which we do not always have. With falling trees(we have lots of trees) and power outage.
Now soon people will be drowning in our raging cold water rivers. That water is snow runoff from Mt. Hood Cascade range. And they will be getting lost on the many mountain trails and sliding off slippery trails in to deep ravines.Or their dog will. It is rugged but beautiful country here. And you seldom meet a native, but I am. We have busy mountain rescue teams.

~ OOPS ~ ~ PS ~ http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/04/portland_metro_wednesday_weath_58.html

Out of the hospital at 1:00 pm today, spending the 1st 24 hours at my sister's since the hospital insisted on someone close to hand the first 24 and I'm not clear to drive the first 24, going home Thusrday 27 April.

My sister's garden is looking more like a jungle than ever, but is beginning to appear somewhat cultivated.

Will probably forgo my wildflower hunt this morning since I've developed a sciatica and will still have time 8 May 2017 when I have my foley and surgical staples removed.

The walk would not be daunting even now except for the sciatica.

Charge on tablet running out and I've only the charger in car to plug into.

Keep hanging in there. Have a good . . .

The (so. California) winter and spring herbs vegetables an flowers were already dying back seasonally when I checked into the hospital, some already browned off for the season.

Most are now, though I've good crops of turnips and beets (winter crops in so. CA conditions) still in the ground good seed from the brussels sprouts,vwhich stay in since they're biennials, good seed from my native desert chamomile and cultivated German chamomile.

I've yet to complète inventory, let alone harvest.

Will be putting in a second planting soon.

I've done a lot of weeding along the entrance to my park. Lots of plants are surging up as the weather turns warm and sunny.