Thursday, May 03, 2007

I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do...



There are certain plants I'm just crazy about, but I can't quite explain why. Our native wildflower blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is one of them; it is subtle to the point of being invisible in the deep woods where it likes to grow... it is uncommon, but not yet threatened, yet I doubt one person in a hundred can say they've seen it. It almost always grows on cool, north-facing wooded slopes, and its foliage is as cool as its surroundings; lovely blue-green, heavy and waxy foliage in layered mounds. The flowers as seen above are inconspicuous, but they are replaced by blue berries. I've thought about picking one or two berries and planting them in the garden, but this is one of those plants that just belongs in the shady, quiet forest.

Unfortunately, the colony of blue cohosh pictured above is in danger; a large patch of garlic mustard has surrounded it... I spent several hours pulling all the hundreds of second year mustard plants getting ready to seed, then will be going back next week with my propane torch to start scouring tens of thousands of first year garlic mustard seedlings; it will be a five year project... and people wonder why our garden has weeds.

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// posted by IBOY @ 7:09 PM
Comments:
It's pretty ... pretty green covering the ground.

This garlic mustard sounds like a big bully ... ;-)
# posted by Blogger olivia : May 04, 2007
 
Seven, I've heard... not five. :( (My neighbor doesn't weed it out of his yard at all. I'm destined for at least 20 years of pulling it up.)
# posted by Blogger Unknown : May 04, 2007
 
Olivia... GM is the WORST!
Kim... yah, you're probably right; I'm just being optomistic. it des depend, though, on whether you disturb the ground or not... that just stirs up more seeds. In this case, UI'm just going to pull, spray, and burn.
don
# posted by Blogger IBOY : May 05, 2007
 
I picked up a blue cohosh at our neative plant sale last year and planted it under our pine tree (north facing slope if you believe it and it has become one of our favorite plants. It has pretty yellow flowers and is a great addition to our native woodland garden. Thanks for talking about this plant! I have photos of ours on my blog, but they're not as big as yours ... yet!
# posted by Blogger Rosemarie : May 06, 2007
 
Rosemarie... isn't it just a neat plant? I just love the foliage. It's just a puzzle why it's not better known, but it's for woodland gardens, not borders, and the flowers are only for those who like the subtle.
Don
# posted by Blogger IBOY : May 06, 2007
 
I have been walking in the woods for more years than I care to admit and I do not know this plant, I will be watching for it on my next walk.
# posted by Blogger Iowa Gardening Woman : May 07, 2007
 
A propane torch . . . why didn't I think of that? After all the time I spent pulling out garlic mustard last year, I find it just as plentiful in those places this year, and popping up in new places besides!!! At least it's easier to pull than dock, and doesn't burn your skin like wild parsnip.
# posted by Blogger Kathy : May 09, 2007
 
GM is unfortunately everywhere now.
Kathy... the torch is really almost mandatory if you have large patches of first year seedlings.
Don
# posted by Blogger IBOY : May 09, 2007
 
I like this plant too. It looks so pretty as it emerges from the leaf litter. The berries are an amazing blue! I tried to take a picture of mine last year, but the birds beat me to them!
# posted by Blogger Kasmira : May 11, 2007
 
I am a fellow garlic mustard warrior. Please tell me more about the torches. What size, brand, where to buy, what area one tank will cover...? Thank you.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : May 19, 2007
 
I am a fellow garlic mustard warrior. Please provide more info on the torches -- what brand, size, what area will one tank cover...etc.? Thank you.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : May 19, 2007
 
min... Google propane torch, and you'll find all kinds of info. I specifically have a backpack gas canister (10 lb, which I think is a real plus. May the Force be with you (Just got back from pulling GM in the woods).
Don
# posted by Blogger IBOY : May 20, 2007
 
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