Water Flowers

Teal Pond, Dressed in White

Teal Pond, Dressed in White

On my walk through the Arboretum this morning, I followed a trail I had never taken before. I ended up at Teal Pond, and had to take a second look at the water. It was covered in white.

Teal Pond, Covered in White

White Water-crowfoot

When I got closer, I discovered its surface was white with tiny flowers. I’ve searched all my ID books and the internet, but haven’t found an ID. Anyone know?

With help from Montucky and Uphilldowndale, I have a positive ID. It is white water-crowfoot, a floating aquatic found in shallow waters, and the flower is only 1/2 inch wide. A member of the buttercup family, it blooms from June through August. All parts of the plant are submerged except for the solitary white flowers which pop up from the surface of the water on slender stalks. Thanks for the help.

Purple Explosion

Gardens at Sinsinawa Mounds

Gardens at Sinsinawa Mounds

An explosion of color found in the gardens at Sinsinawa Mounds, the mother house of the Sinsinawan Dominicans, a religious order of women established in 1847.

Apple Blossoms, Apple Tree

Its a Blooming Spring!

'Prairifire'

When I last posted crabapple blossoms, I thought it would be the end of the season. Huge thunderstorms moved through, and I was sure the blossoms that had yet to open would be ruined. But when I went this morning to check on the early lilacs, many of the crabapples were continuing their spring show. And what a grand show it was.

Prairifire crabapple tree

'Prairifire' crabapple tree

Don’t ask why this lovely apple tree has a name that I have trouble spelling correctly. I want to add an ‘e’ to properly spell prairie, but that’s not the way it was labeled. I think it is one of my favorites though. The color is bright and the tree is blooming profusely. It’s not a large tree, but it still has quite a bit more growing to do.

Jack in the Pulpit

Jacks - Everywhere I Looked

Jacks - Everywhere I Looked

The forest floor was covered with jack in the pulpits and wild geranium, three varieties of violets – yellow, purple and white, quite a few stands of the large white trillium. It’s been a late spring, but the quantity of flowers has been almost worth waiting for.

Crabapple Blossoms – The Last Stand

White Candle

'White Candle'

This is the last set of photos from my visits to the Longenecker Horticultural Garden which features more than a hundred crabapples. Rain and wind from wickedly loud thunderstorm last night did in the last few I wanted to shoot. There’s always next year.

Aren’t they a pretty sight? I’m so much better, now that I have finally gotten the snow and cold out of my system!

Cardinals Robe

'Cardinal's Robe'

Sugar Tyme

'Sugar Tyme'

Park Centre

'Park Centre'

Indian Summer

'Indian Summer'