Like most people, I look forward to warm weather for a thousand reasons. One of the many anticipated spring pleasures is sun-dried laundry, with its uniquely clean scent. It’s absolutely un-replicated by any fragrance or homecare product with “linen” in the name. And the thought that I’m sparing a few more grams of coal or natural gas gives me a clean, pure feeling on the inside, too.

Another occasion of springtime bliss is the ever-changing, often fleeting parade of woodland wildflower blooms. Referrred to as “spring ephemerals,” they mostly live up to their reputation. These flowers emerge from the leaf litter in deciduous woodlands, astonish us with their delicacy and variety of form, then wilt and subside within the space of a week or two. The trees leaf out, the forest darkens and the display is done untill next year. Fortunately, there’s a bit of succession, with (for instance) bloodroot and hepatica appearing earlier than others.

Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is one of those spring ephemerals, and rarer than some. There is only one place in the Garden where it seems to thrive, and that’s in the Woodland Garden near the giant Medusa’s head sculpture. Greek mythology and sparkling clean pantaloons – a funny but charming combination. The plant is native to North American woodlands, in the same family as the various bleeding-hearts. It’s blooming now and will probably continue until mid-May.

Some neighborhoods frown on homely displays of washing on the line, but we find it perfectly acceptable here in the Woodland ravine!

Posted by Ann McCulloh