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| Rue anemone |
April in Georgia is a lovely time. The weather has just
about decided that winter is over, although it can still surprise you with a
late frost or even snow. The nights are still cool but days are mostly warm and
sunny. Wildflowers abound. The earliest, such as bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and trout lily (Erythronium americanum), have already
bloomed in the Piedmont, but cranesbill (Geranium
maculatum), Atamasco lily (Zephyranthes
atamasca), and rue anemone (Anemeonella thalictroides) are still in flower.
These species are all wonderful additions to a
woodland garden, but make sure you place them in fairly rich soil with a
consistent supply of moisture. Think hardwood trees for their companions. Soil in
pine forests is way too acidic for these lovely little plants.
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| Atamasco lily |
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| Mountain laurel |
Today I found the first mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) of the season in bloom.
The fragrance led me to it, intoxicating and sweet. Native azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
are also in bloom. Both thrive in acid
soil. Native azaleas prefer high shade, such as that under mature pine trees.
Mountain laurel is fine with more sun, and will grow in habitats from bluffs to
bogs. Give it plenty of space as the largest can grow to the size of a small
tree (about 25 feet tall).
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| Native azalea |
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| Native azalea |
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