Erythronium americanum, commonly called Trout Lily or Dogtooth Violet, is one of the earliest spring ephemerals to bloom in central NC.
When I think of Trout Lilies there are two places I immediately think of: Azalea Hill at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, and a hillside next to a walking trail that goes around the Duke Gulf Course in Durham. Trout Lilies like a woodsy place with a lot of humus but soil that is not too rich, or they won't bloom.
The leaves are an unusual mottled green and brown, and seem to emerge all at once, as though by magic.
The flowers are very graceful and have a dynamic aspect to them; they do in fact slowly twirl, being relaxed in low light and highly reflexed in strong light. This is one of what I hope will eventually form a colony in the bed on the east side of the house.
Join Gail for Wildflower Wednesday on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Beautiful aren't they.
ReplyDeleteI planted some which were sold as little bulbous root stock but unfortunately they never grew. I reckon there not to easy to move about.
I hope yours form an enormous colony now that they're underway.
These are so pretty. I see a huge stand of them in the woods along a hill and that foliage is quite catchy. The yellow is pretty too though I've not seen them in bloom.
ReplyDeletePretty pictures. I'll have to take a walk in the woods and look for some today. Carla
ReplyDeleteThese are just the neatest flowers! I've only seen pictures of them and would love to try them in my garden someday. I hope yours do form a nice, big colony in your yard.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty wild flowers. Your photos are superb!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wondrous wildflower! Good luck with it in your garden! It would be so amazing to run across those in the wild!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sweet Bay. I think my father grows this. I remember the distinct foliage.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I love trout lilies, they are so sweet. I'm a sucker for speckled foliage. They are native in MI, too, and due to the of digital photos, I can tell you they were at the end of their bloom season on May 3 last year. It'll soon be time to go back to Redbud Nature Area and look for them. (Redbud actually has very few redbuds. It was a bit of a disappointment.)
ReplyDeleteThose are just sweet looking. I do like the foliage too.
ReplyDeleteI love these delicate flowers and their spotted trout like leaves! They are scattered along my forest floor. So many it is hard not to step on a few! Lovely photos Sweet Bay! Happy Spring!! I keep saying that... today it is cold again and will go down into the teens tonight!
ReplyDeleteSweetBay,
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos the last one especially! I found 3 trout lilies blooms above our driveway along our road tonight. The big patch of them is further down the hill. The soil these are in has a lot of clay and is mostly an oak forest.
What a graceful and elegant plant. I love its intriguing reflexive qualities. Very neat!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Sweetbay~You've capture their charm. I adore trout lilies~They are starting to make a comeback in my yard and I couldn't be happier. I will still buy a few each spring to create a colony.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you joined Wildflower Wednesday!
gail
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI first saw Trout Lily for the first time last week on another blog and I just fell in love with it. I am so glad that you posted such beautiful pictures and focused on the upturned petals. I probably cannot grow this, but I can enjoy yours :-)
That sure is an elegant little flower. I'm pretty sure I couldn't meet any of its needs in my garden, but I can admire yours from afar. Really lovely.
ReplyDeleteI've seen trout lilies on other blogs before, but no one has captured their beauty like you, Sweet Bay. I love the way their petals turn up.
ReplyDeleteooh, I remember seeing these on our woodland walks in Virginia too. I doubt very seriously they'd grow here! It would be fabulous if they'd form a nice colony for you ~ it looks like you're off to a good start if they like it well enough to bloom. The spotted foliage reminds me of some of the species tulip foliage?? and that of my slipper orchids!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful close-up photos! What a treat it would be to come across these special wildflowers. You captured their beauty perfectly!
ReplyDeleteSuch a 'sweetie-pai', your trout lily. lovely to see spring back in your garden and it looks like the weather granted you with plenty of sun as well.i hope you enjoy your easter :)
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