May 2016 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Excelsior]

Second year from seed, the Draba loiseleurii is first out to flower in the rock garden
.

[Gabriela]

Epimedium 'Amber Queen', the first Aquilegia of the season and the Redbud just about to flower.

[ian mcdonald]

A few plants in the garden, img. 1010365 R. williamsianum.  R. yakushimanum. img.1010372. Silene acaulis. img. 1010367. Unknown crucifer with fleshy leaves which are hairy, plant is smaller than half an inch in height, not a UK species img. 1010368.

[ian mcdonald]

Some more img.1010369 is spring cinquefoil. img. 1010380 is perennial cornflower. img. 1010370 is a dwarf Doronicum. img. 1010371 is Dryas octopetala.

[Hoy]

....
 Unknown crucifer with fleshy leaves which are hairy, plant is smaller than half an inch in height, not a UK species img. 1010368.

Some kind of Draba perhaps?

[Hoy]

We went away from an advanced spring to a very early one up here in the mountains. The snow has just receded but most of the plants are still kept at bay by the cold nights.

Some like Gentiana purpurea has just started to show their spears.




Noccaea caerulescens is in flower. It is possibly the earliest of all at this altitude. Most of them are pure white bur a few are pale pink.





Another early one is Pulsatilla vernalis. I hope the hares don't eat them.

[ian mcdonald]

I think so Trond but there are many I am not familiar with which are non-natives. Here are some more. Haberlea rhodopensis img. 1010373. Saxifraga nivalis grown from seed img. 1010383. Bloody cranesbill img. 1010386. Herb robert img 1010387.

[ian mcdonald]

Some more, img.1010374 Cyclamen persicum. img. 1010384 is Sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata, its leaves smell of aniseed when crushed. img. 1010389 is three cornered garlic, Allium triquetrum. It will take over the garden if left. img. 1010379, Dryopteris filix-mas, male fern. Just unrolling its fronds.

[ian mcdonald]

I like ferns. At this time of the year their fresh green fronds are a sign of spring. Later on they seem a bit dull. Perhaps they should be more widely grown if there is a sheltered area in your garden. img.1010366 is Polystichum setiferum with its new fronds just un-furling. img.1010375 is Osmunda regalis, a rare plant of the local patch. img. 1010381 is Ceterach officinarum with new growth. img. 1010382 is Asplenium trichomanes, spreading about in the wall.

[ian mcdonald]

Bog bean in a barrel img. 1010391.

[Tristan_He]

That's a fine Haberlea Ian.

The unripe seeds of sweet cicely are tasty - they have a fennel-like, nutty flavour.

[Johan K.]

Sarracenias in the greenhouse.

[Johan K.]

Darlingtonia californica

[ashley]

A lovely series Ian. 
Ferns are spectacular at this time of year, and under dull, damp skies a few days ago their pale greens seemed more vivid than ever.   Bog bean is another plant I like very much, and reminds me of the uplands in summer. 
Allium triquetrum is very common here and, as you say, very invasive in the garden.  Nevertheless I think it's one of the most elegant alliums.

[johnw]

Trillium volunteers at a friend's today.  Wonder if you think these are hybrids?

johnw