Pigsqueak is flowering

Pigsqueak (Bergenia crassifolia) is flowering. Bergenia is in the Saxifrage family.  Pictures taken March 30, 2012.
 
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Armenian grape hyacinth

Armenian grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum).  Picture taken March 24, 2012.

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Daylily emerging out of the ground

Another sign of spring, daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) emerging out of the ground.  Often daylilies escape from cultivation and become established along roadsides and unattended areas.  Once they get started they will persist for many years.  If you see these distinctive sprouts in the landscape this time of year the daylily flowers will be there in summer.  Picture taken March 14, 2012.

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Snowdrops and Winter Aconite

The snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) and winter aconite (Eranthis sp.) are blooming nicely already at Purdue Horticulture Gardens.  Picture taken February 17, 2012.

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Acanthus mollis

Here's a plant still happily green even with the wintry weather.  These are leaves of Acanthus mollis.  Notice the patch of snow in the picture. This snow had been on the ground for a couple of days. Acanthus mollis is native to the Mediterranean region and is thought to be the leaves depicted in the Corinthian order of classic architecture.  Maybe the sculptors of ancient times liked to use this plant as a model because it was green and available when they were working through the winter.

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Picture taken December 1, 2011

Musa basjoo stumps in December

The Musa basjoo banana tree mentioned in the October post has been cut down for the winter.  Here is a view of the interesting patterns of the cross-section of the stems. The air temperature has been below freezing for a couple days and some snow remains on the ground.  I was interested in finding this stump to see if there was any sap getting exuded from the roots and then freezing but the ice on the stump could be from the fallen snow too.

Pictures taken December 1, 2011 at Purdue Horticulture Gardens.

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Ribes alpinum

Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum), Oct. 5, 2011.

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