Sunday was reported as the area’s coldest May 15 in more than 120 years; a colder morning than even Fairbanks, Alaska.
Anxious to put color and springtime into their gardens, eager beavers who had planted their annuals scurried about Saturday to haul pots into garages and cover tender plants already in ground beds with bedsheets, tablecloths and other means of protection.
It is always a guessing game in Chicagoland when it comes to the weather. We actually hit 80 degree temperatures a few weeks ago. The weather has seemed even more mercurial this year. Gardening centers and nurseries keep waiting for a sustained break in weather for business has surely been slow for them this year.
The good news is that cooler temperatures have afforded a long season of spring blooms. From the sustained performance of the daffodils, to the surprise emergence of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, the fragrant lilac blooms to the exquisite tulip displays, it has been a good spring for early bloomers – and Mayapples!
I purchased a few divisions of Mayapples at our garden club’s annual spring plant sale a few years ago. There are many reasons for joining a garden club, and this is certainly one of them. Our member plant sales help fund the rich and varied programs we have at meetings. They also provide tried-and-true plant stock for members. It is no secret that here on the Cutoff a good portion of our garden beds are filled with the offspring of plants from my garden club friends.
May Apples are a vivid example.
In establishing a woodland garden, the celandine poppies, Jack-in-the-pulpit, trillium and now Mayapples all came from Mary’s garden. Waiting in the wings (the garage) are bluebells, also from Mary’s garden. Interspersed are anemone, from Bev and Jerry. Many of our daffodils are from Jerry’s bulb divisions. The darling of the patch, Lady’s Mantle, catches dewdrops in between them all. M’lady really needs a bit more sun, but, she serves us well in the woodland garden) and was from Dorothy.
Underneath the umbrella of leaves, small buds appeared this year on the Mayapples. I observed this plant, both in the garden here, and in my forest wanderings. They are abundant throughout the area and quite visible on the forest floors this year. They seem to have sensed the need for umbrellas long before we did as they sent out their bumper-shoots in anticipation.
With my yellow rain slicker and red rubber shoes (I am a sight to behold) I slogged about in the biting wind on Saturday afternoon. This is what I found.
I will be checking these Mayapples as we swing into summer, hoping to see an “apple” or two come from these sweet May flowers.
Do Mayapples (mandrake) grow where you live?
Image below from here.
I’ve never heard of this beautiful plant — it’s wonderful. (Perhaps it doesn’t grow in the Pacific Northwest, where all my gardening experience was). The weather is very weird in so many places this year. I feel bad for you about the cold, but I definitely appreciate your sharing the wonderful early spring blooms, which as I have told you until you are sick of hearing about it, I miss in both senses of the word!
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I believe this grows in the Northwest and Midwest, Sallie, so you would see it in the Pacific Northwest. It typically grows in wooded areas hereabouts, but, we are able to grow it in our own wooded gardens. I have a feeling I will be dividing it in a few years. 🙂
Weather has been weird not only here, but, across the states and in Great Britain and elsewhere this year. What I worry about the most is crops that may be effected.
My friend, I will never be sick of hearing your appreciation. I was thinking of you this weekend. We are seeing many migrating birds right now, surely some of which winter in your canal.
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wow, they are beautiful! I want some, too!
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They might grow in your area, Adrienne. I am loving these Mayapples. 🙂
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Your garden reminds me so much of Germany. You have a beautiful place and all the care you give it shows.
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Thank you, Gerlinde. It is a work in progress, for sure, but, it is slowly growing into what we imagined when we first moved here.
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No, I don’t think I’ve ever even heard of Mayapples, Penny. I think our climates are just too wildly different, aren’t they? Colder than Alaska? What a shock that must have been not just for the plants, but for you! I think it’s wonderful that you can look around your beautiful garden and see evidence of your garden club history. You are so accepting of “what comes,” pointing out that you’ve had a longer growing season with your tulips and daffodils. I just can’t imagine it that cold in mid-May. You’re of hearty stock, Penny! LOL!
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Indeed, our climates are wildly different, Debra. Right now, I’m envying your sunshine and warmth.
Born and bred midwesterners get used to such temperature fluctuations, but, Sunday morning did break a record and it was disconcerting seeing many with their winter coats on. The perennials can usually handle it, as their roots run deep, but, it can play havoc on fruit blossoms and crops, and perennials are too tender to take the cold. It really is much safer to plant perennials around Memorial Day. My mother-in-law held steady to that date – and her garden always fared well. Our bedding plants are out of the garage and on the deck, hoping for some sunshine and dry conditions. 😦
These Mayapples are fun, though they will spread as years go back. No matter. We have enough space and I’ll (meaning Tom) can transplant them. I’m curious as to when the “apples” will develop from the flowers.
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You made me chuckle with your comment about Tom taking the lead on transplanting the Mayapples. Our garden has never looked so good. With Jay’s retirement I’ve been telling everyone that I now have a full-time gardener! LOL!
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No, as far as I can remember I don’t think I’ve ever seen or even heard of, May Apples. But aren’t they pretty? It’s still very cool here as well. We had a warm spell about a week ago but by and large Spring has been pretty chilly to be honest. Primroses which I generally think of as a March/April plant have only just finished flowering, daffs flowered late too. A very odd year.
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They are, Cath, and perhaps you will see May Apples someday.
Weather does seem to be odd all over and your spring and our spring seem to be similar this year. I keep feeling we are in March and here it is May.
One plant that has been abundant and bloom for a long time this year are the bluebells. They have been stunning and I don’t remember them being so much so in other years.
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A walk in your garden is a walk with the friends you associate with the plants. That makes the walk a genuine pleasure. My area does support their growth in although I haven’t seen one. I learned a lot from your link so thank you. It’s been socks and sweaters weather here for me but we have had the AC on also. Never know what to wear!
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It does make it special and genuine, Marilyn, to have so many of my friends in the garden.
I just came in from discovering the deer have had quite a feast on many of my prairie plants. 😦 It can be so frustrating, however, it was warm enough to go without a coat and sunny. This has really been a wide swathe of cold weather. I’m sorry to hear that you had socks and sweaters there. I’m sure I’ll miss this cool weather come July and August. I don’t remember waiting this long to start pulling out lighter clothing.
I’m so pleased that you learned something new from the link.
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May apples are new to me Penny. They are so sweet and fresh, & a welcome sight as we go into winter here.
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These are double the pleasure; for their beauty and for their history of a friend. I hope you are feeling better, Juliet.
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Still recovering, thanks Penny. This one is clinging on a bit.
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I can picture you with your “yellow rain slicker and red rubber shoes”. Your outfit is in keeping with your upbeat personality and blog posts. How fun!
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Oh, Susan, thank you. That brought a big smile to my face.
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