My Bit of Heaven - by Kristl Walek

[Kristl Walek]

Does Amelachier spicata usually stay this short?

Bjornar,
Yes, it retains the small stature in cultivation---if only I could ever manage some seed---have tried for 3 years now and short of sleeping on the alvar during ripening times, i've pretty well given up on ever getting any.

[Kristl Walek]

Acer spicatum (Mountain Maple) is the second of our small, understory acer species. Like A. pensylvanicum, it has luscious, large leaves.

Bladdernut (Staphylea trifoliata) is a favorite small understory tree or shrub. It has clusters of pretty bells followed by interesting inflated seed receptacles.

The male flowers of Pinus resinosa.

Most clones of Lonicera dioica found in the wild in this area have flowers of a good red.

The Juglans cinerea (Butternut) with it's lovely, yellow-green foliage was too tall to photograph the catkins clearly. It produces delicious, edible nuts.

[Kristl Walek]

The flowers of Hydrophyllum virginianum are most normally white, or bluish-white; but one spot here has a high percentage of good blues.

The Wood Geranium (Geranium maculatum) is a very early flowering woodland species with pretty, largish, violet-pink flowers. 

A mass of Clintonia borealis and the beautiful Cornus canadensis.

[Kristl Walek]

The circumboreal Eriophorum vaginatum is the only clump-forming cotton-grass native to our area, forming evergreen tussocks of fine foliage. The showy cotton puffs are very decorative.

E. gracile is endangered in many areas, due to loss of wetland. It is rhizomateous, growing erectly from solitary culms, with few leaves.

[Kristl Walek]

I *know* I showed you Cypripedium acaule in the wild last year....but just couldn't resist showing you another newly discovered site for it. I promise it will not be too painful.

And Arethusa bulbosa.

And Galearis spectabilis in cultivation, in Graham's garden!!!!!!!!

[Kristl Walek]

The areas adjacent to where one finds Cypripedium acaule in the wild are almost always full of only one species and that is Maianthemum canadense; growing in the same pine duff as the Cyp.

[Kristl Walek]

Last year I showed you Viola adunca, V. canadensis and V. pubescens.

Viola fimbriatula (sagittata var. ovata) is an uncommon species growing only in acid sand in shady woodland clearings in our area. It is a beautiful, small and unique viola with hairy, arrow-shaped leaves and dark violet-blue flowers with a white center. The last picture shows the hairiness of the leaves quite well.

Viola rostrata is the Long-Spurred Violet growing in rich woods, on limestone.

The Northern Bog Violet, V. nephrophylla grows on wet ground, in bogs, fens or along rocky shores; usually in areas with calcareous bedrock.

[Paul T]

Kristl,

Beautiful postings as always.  I love the Violas, those wonderful orchids, and that perfect image of Cornus canadensis.  Just such a neat flower!  Shame it probably wouldn't like our heat here.

[Gerdk]

Kristl,
Thank you for these pics and for describing the conditions in which these violets grow.
 
Does 'rich woods' in the case of  Viola rostrata mean fertile soils + sufficient rainfall?

Gerd

[arisaema]

Thanks, Kristl! It's a lovely form with that compact habit, the naturalized A. spicata easily reach 4 meters here. Viola rostrata is stunning, and one I've been on the look-out for, will you be offering it on your web page?

[Ragged Robin]

So many wonderful discoveries conveyed in your habitat vistas and plant details - it's wonderful to share them Kristi and know that you are enjoying your new '...Bit of Heaven' 

[Kristl Walek]

Does 'rich woods' in the case of  Viola rostrata mean fertile soils + sufficient rainfall?

Gerd,
Yes. I should have said "rich, MOIST, woods"

Bjornar,
I've just looked up the Viola rostrata in the Flora Of Nova Scotia, but it is not listed. So, unless I manage to collect it prior to leaving Ontario, I don't know if I will have it on my next list.

It's a very problematic seed year for me, for both garden collected (no garden) and in the wild (this will all come down to time). And because I do not yet know where to find the species in my new home, there will be a transition time for the species I collect in Nova Scotia.

[arisaema]

Please forget I asked, you certainly have more than enough on your mind already! Expect some seeds from here as usual, hopefully mailed off a bit sooner than last year

[ruweiss]

Kristl,
it is so nice to have you back at the forum and showing us again your beautiful
Bit of Heaven. I can imagine how much work is waiting for you with all the new
beginning and wonder from where you take the time for taking these beautiful
pictures. All are so beautiful, my favourites are the Cypripedium.

[Kristl Walek]

Please forget I asked, you certainly have more than enough on your mind already! Expect some seeds from here as usual, hopefully mailed off a bit sooner than last year

Bjornar....I *will* try to lay my hands on seed of the Viola rostrata--and your seed will be appreciated this year more than most. Thank you!!!