Today I discovered that I have six Liverlilies in bloom. They are showing no signs of winding down. New buds keep appearing 
especially on the larger plant pictured at right.
Nearby, I found that the wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is out and looks as if it has doubled in size. I love the leaves on this plant (pictured below). The flowers are unusual too – a chocolate colour. They are almost hidden by the leaves and can go unnoticed if you aren’t paying close attention to them.
The small pink shoots just starting to emerge from the ground are Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum falcatum ‘Variegatum’). If you would like to know h
ow this plant got its name and what the significance is of King Solomon and his signet ring, see Paghat’s website.
I could not resist posting a picture of one of the botanical tulips before it closed for the night. So far, they are all the same colour, even thou
gh I am certain that I planted some lilac ones.
This afternoon, I spent time in my garden reading after my fiddle group lesson. I am enjoying the letters and notebooks of Gwen John, an English painter who spent much of her life in France.
On 30 August 1922, she wrote the following:
First thought. Turn gently towards your work. Instead of this sudden discouragement and sadness take up in your mind a leaf, a flower, a simple little form and find its form. Take it into your possession as it were.
2nd. Every day you may add to your possessions – every flower and leaf and other things may be taken possession of. You have seen nearly everything vaguely.
in the autumn light 
What a gorgeous picture of the botanical tulips. Just beautiful.
Oops, one more thing. I actually didn’t know that there was a plant called a liverlily. I thought it was just a name I call my friend Patti when she sees a spider. Oh wait, that’s lilyliver.
Hey Sissie – I’m finally back from Mexico and what do I come back to but more liverlily stories??? Lucky me!! Mexico was fab – way too hot though – you’d absolutely love all the flowers there – those tropics sure have different flowers than what grows in the old gumbo soil you’re dealing with!!! I hope some of my pics turn out – I tried a few flower pics for you but am not the best photog (as you know…)
PS – After gruelling 10 plus hour plane ride complete with emergency landing and all, guess what the first thing your little niece did upon getting into the house??? She ran downstairs and “checked on” her many little planted seedlings – now you’ve got her hooked – she was delighted with all the little tiny sprouts sprouting up under the grow light and off she went happily misting them!!!
Beatutiful garden, Kate, and your writing enhances it so perfectly!
I just love botanical tulips, they are so pretty. Yours look lovely. I find that the lilac ones flower a bit later than the yellow tulipa tarda.Those Liverlilies of yours are flowering their little hearts out, aren’t they? They look just smashing!
That wild ginger is quite the plant. I have looked for growing wild in my area, but I haven’t found it yet. Have you ever dug it up and looked at the root? I read that it is edible.
More liverlilies, and more of my old favorites from Illinois- the wild ginger and variegated Solomon Seal… such lovely, intimate looks at your treasures, Kate!Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Lovely flowers!
Ah, now I’m truly envious of your Hepaticas. I planted some last year and they are finally coming up, a sharp lobed acutiboba and two round lobed plants americana. The sharp lobed produced just one flower. A tiny (puny) white blossom. And the round lobed, nada. I was hoping for the beautiful blue ones that you have but I’ll have to wait and see maybe next year?Is that Tulipa tarda? Ours are blooming profusely now. And I also planted the pink ones T. saxatalis lilac wonder but I was disappointed when only a very few came up this year. Oh well another excuse to try something else. 😉
Hi Kate, it seems that you are making more and more discoveries! Thanks for sharing your joy. It was also great to hear your holiday was refreshing and that the company was good!
Hi Chigiy,I love these tulips – especially the way they close and rest through the night. Your friend, Patti, must love being called lilyliver – I’d probably get totally mixed up and call someone a liverlily … they seem to have taken over all the space in my brain. Caro – I am so looking forward to seeing your pics. It is quite wonderful to think of Lauren and her seedlings. We had fun making those pots. I’m glad she is still interested in them!!Skeet – I envy you living in Hawaii amid all those beautiful flowers. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt year round must be heavenly!Yolanda Elizabet – I didn’t realize that the lilac ones bloom later. Thank you for telling me that … I can still hope that they will appear!Gardenista – I haven’t dug up the roots, but I think I will this summer. The roots were used by First Nations’ people as a remedy for a variety of ailments … I think I will write a post about this. Fascinating plant! Annie – these are beautiful plants. I’m always surprised that they can survive here. I grew them in Ontario where the climate would be similar to the one who had in Illinois. We get very attached to our gardens and I wonder if we ever stop missing them.Ki – I would love to see a pic of your sharp-lobed hepatica. Don’t be discouraged – this is really the first year that mine are blooming in such profusion. In past years, I was happy if I had a few blooms per plant. I think you’ll start seeing more blooms next spring. I also wonder if it’s important to have more sun in early spring … mine get a lot of sun because the trees aren’t yet in leaf.Once they are in leaf, then they shade the hepaticas and consequently the plants remain throughout the summer (I have read that they often disappear … mine have stayed throughout the summer, which is good … I love the shape and colour of the leaves. They are also a good groundcover. And yes, those are tulipa tardas. That’s one thing I love about gardeners – we are an optimistic bunch and if one thing doesn’t grow, we’re always game to try another. Bindi – This time of year is exciting because there’s always something new shooting up from day to day. I had a wonderful holiday – still feel in holiday mode!