Wildflower Walk - Lebanon Town Green 2021

Sunday was a beautiful day for taking a springtime wildflower walk. We drove up Rt. 87 to Lebanon, a rural agricultural community with many historic homes, farms, and no big box stores or fast food restaurants. At the intersection of Rt. 207 is the town green, not a modern mowed green, but an old style meadow used for mowing hay to feed local livestock. 

Lebanon Town Green - Lebanon, Connecticut (founded in 1700)

I found out about the wildflower walk while searching the events calendar at https://thelastgreenvalley.org/ . Our tour was lead by a wildflower enthusiast who lives across the street from the green. She pointed out approximately twenty wildflowers I would have missed, if not for her experienced guidance. There is a paved path around the green for an easy 1-1/2 mile walk. Below are a few photos of both native and non-native wildflowers in the town green meadow.

Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea) - Native

Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) - Introduced from Europe

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) - Introduced from Europe and Asia

 Clover (Trifolium) - Native 

Clover is actually a legume rather than a wildflower. It  makes its own nitrogen and fixes it in the soil. Prior to World War II, clover was an intentional and healthy part of  American lawns.

View of the meadow showing the red tones of Wood Betony under the tree

Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) - Native

Bluets (Houstonia caerulea) - Native

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) - Native

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) - Native

White Campion (Silene latifolia) - Introduced from Europe

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) - Native

Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)  - Native; daisy like flowers enjoy the moisture along this roadside ditch

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) - Introduced from Europe and Asia

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) - Native

Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium Purpureum) - Native to Europe and Asia

One last look across the meadow

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Indoor Gardening 2021

A gift of an amaryllis bulb started out in a sunny window in my office, but once it started to bloom I had to move it to the living room where we could enjoy its color. Today, although the blooms are gone, the foliage adds some greenery to our bedroom and sits next to our recently planted terrarium.

Amaryllis in sunlight

Amaryllis in lamplight

Amaryllis foliage and recently planted steamy terrarium

I enjoyed last year's hibiscus plant so much I just had to get another one. Last year's cheap Stop and Shop purchase was diseased and did not last long, but it still had beautiful blossoms. This year I splurged on a more expensive hibiscus at Burnett's Country Gardens. The color is even better than last year's and so far, no signs of disease!

Hibiscus Fiesta

Close-up of Hibiscus Fiesta

My second spurge was a pair of orchids for these planters that have been empty for too many years. Sitting in my office window they really brighten my day and give me an added incentive to go in my office and get writing! The label says they need as much bright light as possible without being in direct sunlight. So, on cloudy days I leave the shade up and on bright sunny days I lower it a bit.

Orchids on a cloudy day

Orchids on a bright sunny day, shades lowered

These flowers broke off on the way home from the garden center, but are still thriving in a glass of water

Just planted terrarium, still steamy...

...and a few days later

We continue to grow lettuce year round. It has come in handy during times of Romaine Lettuce shortages

Another gift - this time an Easter Lilly and its a real beauty with orange tipped blossoms

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon 

 The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides. 

 ©2021 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.