Our earliest violet, the English Violet (Viola odorata) manages to make it through our sub-zero winters despite not being native to these shores. As the above photo shows, its wintering-over leaves suffered quite a bit this year because of lack of snow protection, but its pure-white blossoms came through as unscathed as ever. Note that its petals are not striped with purple veining as are most of our native violets, although it does have a purple-tinged spur. It's also a deliciously fragrant violet, and it comes in a rich purple variety as well as this pristine white.
The Sharp-lobed Hepaticas were also just starting to bloom at Skidmore, although I had to search and search to find a very few that had opened their furry buds.
Oh Hepatica! One of the sweetest blessings of spring! So pretty!
I next made my way out to Orra Phelps Nature Preserve in Wilton to see how the Snow Trillium had survived the few freezing nights we'd had since I found the first blooms last Friday. Well, I'm happy to report that they are flourishing unscathed by the cold. This diminutive trillium surely lives up to its name!
Unfortunately, I took a skidding fall on some slippery leaves out there, landing with my leg folded into a Z beneath my full weight. I knew right away that I'd been hurt, but after checking to see if I could still bear my weight, I did manage to hobble back to my car and drive safely home. Guess I'll be laid up again for a while with what seems to be a sprained ankle, swollen and painful. Same leg as my shattered kneecap, but I hope recovery is faster. Darn! Just as the wildflower floodgates are starting to open!
Sorry to hear about your fall..hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteplease take care of yourself! I enjoy your pictures and knowledge so much. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know once again when the Hepatica begins to bloom. I don't know anyone who is so in tune with Nature as you are. You are an important source of "Nature News." I hope your ankle heals well! I know from the experience with your knee that you will not be able to resist the call of the wild, but please treat your limbs gently! (This is another reminder for me to never venture into the woods without my trekking poles.)
ReplyDeleteYou've gotta start taking care of yourself! Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your fall, I hope you can get back out there soon. I wonder if you tried using hiking or snowshoeing poles, if you might be a little safer from slipping...
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I am sorry you fell. I almost pitched off the porch the other day and even if you don't go down you feel terrible. I hope you heal quickly and well and are soon back to taking us on fascinating excursions into the wild. Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry for your fall and injury! Wishing you a speedy recovery and no long-term ramifications. Thank you for all the photos of the woodsy spring flowers. The heady-scented English violet ever a favorite. In fact, I always imagined I would get married in May and have a nosegay of sweet-smelling English violets (they bloomed in May where I lived when i was young), but that was not to be--either time!
ReplyDeleteHepatica, which my mom always called hIpatica, is an old favorite too, as are the trillium. Your words and photos evoke dreams of home and icicles dripping off the eaves.
Good to see spring has arrived. You're quite a way north of us, but your flowers are way ahead.
ReplyDeleteEnough of that falling stuff -- as we age we don't bounce like we used to. Hope you heal rapidly.
Thank you, dear friends, for all your kind healing wishes. I am happy to report that my ankle feels better every day. What is so disconcerting to me is that I was doing nothing risky when the ground slipped out from under me. In fact, I was standing still, but on a slope, and the leaf-cover just slid away and down I went. I'm not sure poles would have saved me. Both injuries I had this year occurred not as I was leaping from boulder to boulder or tripping over fallen logs, but rather just walking along on cleared ground. You just never know what the future holds, so enjoy this moment and whatever health and strength is yours.
ReplyDeleteOne of the moments I enjoy thoroughly is visiting your own sites, made immediately available to me by clicking on your names when you leave a comment here. I encourage everyone to do the same. Many pleasures await!
Just came across your blog and I have to say what a pleasure it was reading your posts. Very informative and great photos, keep them coming! Hope your ankle is feeling better.
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