decorate the scaffolding

I love the trees that blossom in spring before the leaves burst and start competing; magnolias and redbud come to mind. While technically not native to Minnesota, redbuds are more and more common here as our climate changes. From a distance the profusion of pink flowers make it look like any number of spring flowering trees such as crabapples and plums. But on closer inspection, the way the blossoms seem to burst all along the length of the bare branches and even the trunk feels unique and special.

eastern redbud blossoms (Cercis canadensis)

Jack is back!

Jack-in-the-pulpit is one of favorite woodland wildflowers. It even graces the back cover of my new book. The are shade-loving native woodland plans. We have hundreds of them that pop up in our wooded property every year. I have captured them in every phase: spring shoots, summer umbrellas, autumn seedheads, and winter stems. This is the first one to capture my attention this spring (I’ve been a little busy.Lol.)

jack-in-the-pulpit shoot in early spring (Arisaema triphyllum)

**For the nerds: The small, inconspicuous flowers of Jack-in-the-pulpit are borne on a fleshy, spike-like inflorescence called a spadix (“Jack“), which is enclosed (or nearly enclosed) by a large, sometimes colorful bract called a spathe (“pulpit“). The flowers are clustered around the base of the spadix inside the spathe. A sterile spadix appendix protrudes from the mouth of the spathe tube. The appendix is covered by the leafy tip of the spathe, referred to as the spathe hood (or spathe lamina). The lip along the mouth of the spathe tube, used as a landing platform for winged insects, is called the spathe flange.

stubborn oak trees finally joining the party

These baby oak leaves overhanging my deck are stealing both my attention and my heart today.

young white oak leaves in spring

lucky number 3

Three leaves (leaf-like bracts actually). Three petals. Three sepals. Three stigmas. Meet trillium. My husband’s favorite native flower.

trillium flower

Everyone and everything is celebrating!

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I have been more than a little busy lately. But not too busy to notice this gorgeous spring display today. This maple tree was having its own Launch Party yesterday. 😂.

Crimson King maple tree in blossom (Acer platanoides)