Articles by Bo Mackison

Trillium at UW Arboretum

In all my years of tramping through Wisconsin’s forests, this is the first set of prairie trillium I have seen. I could not find this particular species of trillium in any ID book, except for the local book Spring Woodland Wildflowers of the University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum by Andrew L. Hipp. A rather thin book, with a narrow focus, but of great value when checking out the lesser known flowers in this particular arboretum.

The prairie trillium, also called the red trillium (trillium recurvatum). Most often found in forests, but can be seen in savannas and prairies. This trillium was found in the Arboretum, though Madison is at its extreme northern limit. Also seen in southern and southeastern Wisconsin. It is on Wisconsin’s list for species of special concern.

A Species of Concern in Wisconsin

Here is a photo of the entire plant. Gives a better perspective. I found a group of seven plants all huddled together, but none anywhere else in the woods.

Not to be confused with the purple trillium (trillium erectum) which grows in nearby Illinois, but not in Wisconsin. It is distinguished from prairie trillium by its flowers which are stalked and nodding. It also has leaves which do not bend backwards like the prairie trillium, but are held erect.

Red Foliage of Coral Bells

Not too many flowers in the perennial garden yet, but some of the foliage is quite attractive wearing this morning’s rain drops.

The start to the Memorial Day weekend was a rainy one. I watched the sky for awhile this morning, the gray clouds massing dark and brooding. Then the clouds thinned ever so slightly and a patch opened, a portal of blue sky.

We planted the perennial garden 3 years ago, and we spent a long, hot month digging up grass, adding mulch and compost and more black rich earth, and then choosing perennials according to size and color and blooming time. There was this big plan drawn out on paper, but we’ve lost a a few plants each year, so the plan has gone awry. We started putting in whatever we were attracted to, and our spur-of-the-moment choices were not always the right size or color, or they bloomed all in one area at the same time. But I always pick perennials with foliage I think is lovely, so there are yellow green leaves, deep green shiny leaves, variegated white and green leaves, and dark purple ones all tumbled in with the usual garden greens. Almost like a mixed salad of foliage.  Today there were only the starts of a couple of flowers in bloom, so I photographed leaves in swirls and curly leaves, all with rainy bits dressing their surfaces.

It was a great way to begin the long weekend!

Wild Columbine

This showy wildflower is found in woodlands and the fringes of open spaces from late spring to mid-summer. It is pollinated by hummingbirds or moths which can reach deep into the cups of the flower. It is sometimes called a dove plant–when turned upside down some say the flower resembles a flock of doves in a circle.

Another of the many wildflowers I see at the Uniersity of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum. The arboretum is especially great because, even though it is huge, it is an urban park and easily accessible. Though it is not located on the University’s campus, it is an easy bike ride or walk, and the road is often crowded with runners and bicyclists. It ‘s also convenient to many of Madison’s public schools, and makes for a nice end-of-the-school-year field trip. When I was there yesterday, a group of about 80 second graders unloaded n front of the Nature Center. I watched in amusement as the adults tried to corral all the kids in one general area.

I now remember why schoolteacher never made it onto my possible careers list. I love being a mom of three, but I think a classroom full of kids would do me in!