Woodland Emergence

I think I've mentioned before that my front yard is not actually a yard, but the edge of an Oak-Hickory Woodland. I've let it be, for the most part, to the chagrin of my husband, who likes the suburban look to his lawns. He gets the back yard, and the woods are mine. The woods, the wild flowers and the wild life are the best part of living here, even if our house has a bit of a white trash or hillbilly vibe to it. It suits me. And every Spring I run around the woods and the yard like a kid in a candy store, excited to see all my friends again.

The brambles are budding out. Wild Rose, Gooseberry and Wild Black Raspberry all have leaves now.

Mayapples have poked their heads from the ground. I love how they seem to offer their flower seed up like a treasure, or a baby for blessing from the sun.

Trilliums are up everywhere, almost overnight.

Interestingly, as mild as this Spring has been, we are a week to two weeks behind last year's emergence. I have only the tiniest hint of the trout lilies up, and they were in full bloom a week ago last year. The wild phlox have plenty of leaves up and I hope they don't get frostbit before April is done with us. Thankfully the cherry shrub is waiting longer to bloom this year, since last year's hard frost destroyed all the fruit. I'm really looking forward to some tart jelly this year. I can only wait and hope. Nature has her own plan and schedules, and they remain a mystery to me, as I watch every day, humbled, amazed and grateful.