Trilliums as far as the eye could see...

at the property of the Acorus Restoration Native Plant Nursery, the trilliums (trillium grandiflorum) growing in the greatest numbers I have ever seen... we walked for what seem like forever under the leafless hardwoods and amongst the mayapples (podophyllum peltatum)...

Meanwhile, in my garden...

one of the first plants to sprout in my garden is the many hosta species...

but the hostas in this location were given too much sun last year so they shall be moved...

some holes were dug in a shaded location under the black walnut tree, Diabolo Ninebark (physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo') and various other shrubs...

planted, mulched and watered...

First signs of spring...

"Wake," said the sunshine,

"And creep to the light."

"Wake," said the voice

Of the raindrops bright.

The little plant heard

And it rose to see,

What the wonderful,

Outside world might be.

in a local forest, new life is beginning to spring forth... Hepatica (hepatica americana), is one of the first wild flowers to sprout from the cold earth...

Native flowers by way of seed...

This is my garden, I'll plant it with care,

Here are the seeds I'll plant in there,

The sun will shine,

The rain will fall,

The seeds will sprout and grow up tall...

- unknown

I have decided to grow a bunch of native flowers by seed, but this time outside in small pots...

a mixture of potting soil and cow manure should get the ball rolling but also maintain water retention in these small pots...

fill the pots, drop the seed and wait...

it feels weird planting seeds this early in the year, but maybe the cool air and frosty nights will stimulate these native seeds to sprout...

Winter wonders...

if I look hard enough, there's beauty even in the winter...

on a cold and bitter winter day, ice crystals cling to the sugar maples high in the sky...

a wonderful contrast of azure blue and the whitest white...