March 27, 2018
Pacific Northwest
The weather is still chilly, and swinging between sunny days and pouring rain. But the equinox is behind us, the days are getting longer, the sun slightly higher, and the flora in my neighborhood is awakening.
Red-flowering Currant is in full bloom, rosy shrubs visible from a distance on hillsides.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
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We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Most native plants are not flowering yet though. It’s their fresh bright green foliage I’m seeing on a few so far, with just a hint of oncoming flowers on a few.
Three native members of the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) —
The flowering pattern of Twinberry is distinctive and appealing to me. This year’s flowers are just starting to grow, in yellow pairs. Last year’s residual flower/ruit stalks follow the nodes. The black paired berries get munched immediately by birds once they ripen in summer.
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Our two common native maples —
Along with the Nootka roses, two other members of that family (Rosaceae) —
Flowers just out now:
Not a coincidence that the two native earliest shrubs bloom at the time the Rufous hummingbirds arrive on their migration to breed in this region. Very few insect pollinators out just now — a few bumblebees and flies. Hummers are attracted to red colored flowers.
What else?
There are plenty of active herbaceous “weeds” too, like buttercups, dandelions, bittercress, thistles, brambles, etc etc, mostly introduced/invasive. A few are blooming but most are pouring energy into vegetative tissue, to blanket the ground wherever they can.
Of things I’ve deliberately planted in my yard, one fruit tree is blossoming, one of the lilacs is leafing out, the rugosa roses are exploding in foliage, and the Big Leaf Lupines are well on their way.
In the garden, chives and some herbs have new growth. The rhubarb has baby stalks already. In the greenhouse I have started cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet peppers and a pot of basil.
I am sorry to report that a slug has already found its way up and into a cucumber bag. Luckily I have backup cuke seedlings and gallons of Sluggo. Sigh. It is inexplicable to me that a slug would go so far out of its way for a seedling when there’s gazilions of acreage of “wild” fresh foliage so readily accessible. Go figure.
Our Northwest slugs are awakening too. Unfortunately most of them are invasive species.
Heading into the last week of March, Northwest flora is becoming active. These early ones are notable, contrasted against the pervasive grey/brown of winter dormancy.
It won’t be long before everything will be green! and flowery!
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What’s up in your natural neighborhood?
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