Winecup, Callirhoe involucrata

photo is from Wikipedia.

A beautiful wildflower:
Callirhoe involucrata, also commonly called Winecup or Purple Poppy-mallow, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to the Great Plains of the United States and adjacent areas in northern Mexico .

Eye-catching blooms:
It is known for its attractive, cup-shaped flowers that come in shades of magenta or rose-purple. The flowers have five petals with a white spot at the base and can be up to 2.5 inches wide.
Adaptable to various conditions:
This low-growing wildflower typically reaches only 6-12 inches in height and spreads up to 3 feet wide. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for dry gardens and rock gardens.
Drought tolerant:
Winecup is renowned for its exceptional drought tolerance, thanks to its long taproot that helps it access deep moisture reserves in the soil.
Low maintenance:
This easy-to-care-for perennial requires minimal maintenance once established. It is generally pest and disease resistant.
Wildlife favorite:
The vibrant flowers of Callirhoe involucrata attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
Easy propagation:
Winecup can be easily propagated by seeds or division. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in fall or early spring.

Overall, Callirhoe involucrata is a versatile and low-maintenance wildflower that adds a splash of color and beauty to any garden.

Hosta Shoots

Hosta shoots are the new growth that emerges from hosta plants in the spring. They are typically tightly furled and green, and they can be eaten!

Hosta shoots are considered a delicacy in some cultures, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. They are similar in taste and texture to asparagus, and they can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or pickled.

Here are some tips for harvesting hosta shoots:

--Harvest the shoots when they are young and tender, before they start to unfurl.
--Use a sharp knife to cut the shoots at the base of the plant.
--Be sure to only harvest a few shoots from each plant, so that the plant can continue to grow.
--If you're not interested in eating hosta shoots, you can simply leave them alone. They will eventually unfurl and become part of the hosta plant.

Oconee bells, Shortia galacifolia

Photo is "oconee bells" by Scott Ward is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Facts about Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia)

Rarity and Location:
--A rare wildflower native to the southern Appalachian Mountains, primarily found in the border region of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
--Additional populations (likely due to cultivation) exist in Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, and Massachusetts.

Appearance:
--Low-growing evergreen perennial reaching 6-8 inches tall and wide.
--Delicate, bell-shaped flowers in white or pale pink with fringed edges, blooming in early to mid-spring (March-May).
--Glossy, round leaves that stay green year-round, turning a reddish-bronze in winter.

Habitat:
--Thrives in the deep shade of moist, well-drained slopes, banks, and rock outcrops in forested areas.
--Often found in areas with natural disturbances like small landslides or fallen trees that create gaps in the canopy.

Interesting facts:
--Named after Oconee County, South Carolina, where the southern variety is abundant.
--The scientific name "Shortia" honors Dr. Charles Wilkins Short, a 19th-century botanist. "Galacifolia" refers to its resemblance to the related plant, Galax (Galax urceolata).

Two varieties exist:
--Southern Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia var. galacifolia) - more common variety.
--Northern Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla) - endemic to McDowell County, North Carolina, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world.
--It was first discovered in 1788 and then wasn't found again for nearly a century!
--Considered a desirable wildflower for shade gardens due to its delicate beauty and evergreen foliage.

Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica

Here are some facts about Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica:

Appearance:
--Bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, most commonly a light sky blue but can also be a deeper sapphire.

--Flowers start as pink buds before maturing to blue. Rare varieties stay pink.
--Grows 1 to 2 feet tall with smooth, oval, blue-green leaves.
--Bloom time:
Early spring (April and May)
--Lifespan:
Perennial that goes dormant in mid-summer
--Preferred habitat:
Moist, well-drained, rich soil in part shade to full shade
--Native range:
Eastern North America

Interesting facts:
--Virginia bluebells are an ephemeral, meaning their blooms are short-lived and the foliage dies back in summer.
--They are a member of the Boraginaceae family, related to forget-me-nots, lungworts, and comfrey.
--They are pollinator magnets, attracting early season bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
--Deer tend to leave them alone.

Foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum

Some facts about Foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum

Appearance:
Foxtail barley is a perennial grass native to North America, but it can also be found in many other parts of the world. It has slender stems that grow 1 to 2 feet tall and clump together to form bunches. The most recognizable feature is its seed head, which resembles a fox’s tail. The seed heads are green or purple when they first emerge, and they turn tan or brown as they mature.

Habitat:
Foxtail barley can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It thrives in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. It is drought-tolerant but can also grow in wet meadows and along streams. This adaptability makes it a successful colonizer and it can sometimes be considered a weed.

Uses:
Foxtail barley is not a major agricultural crop, but it is a valuable food source for wildlife, especially in the early spring before other food sources become available. The seeds can also be used as a grain and can be ground into flour. Foxtail barley is also a popular ornamental grass, prized for its attractive seed heads and low-maintenance requirements.

Radishes,Raphanus sativus

Here are some fun facts about radishes:

Speedy Sprouts:
Radishes are one of the fastest growing vegetables, taking just 25 days to go from seed to a tasty snack!
Ancient Veggie:
Radish cultivation stretches way back, with evidence of them being grown in China over 3,000 years ago!

Fiery Family:
Radishes are part of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and their spicy cousin, wasabi!
Calorie Conscious Crunch:
Looking for a healthy snack? Look no further than the radish! One cup of sliced radishes has a mere 19 calories.

Colorful Bunch:
Don't be fooled by the classic red radish! They come in a rainbow of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, and even black!

Lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus

Interesting facts about lima beans, Phaseolus lunatus:

Ancient history:
Lima beans have a long history of cultivation, dating back to around 2000 BC in the Andes. They may have even been one of the first domesticated plants!
Double domestication:
Believe it or not, there are actually two distinct gene pools for lima beans, suggesting they were domesticated independently in different regions. The larger-seeded type comes from the Andes, while the smaller-seeded type originated in Mesoamerica.

Name game:
Despite their name, lima beans don't actually come from the city of Lima, Peru. The origin of the name is a bit of a mystery, but it's thought to be a corruption of an indigenous term.

Size matters:
Lima beans come in a variety of sizes, from the large and buttery "lima" types to the smaller "sieva" varieties.
More than green:
While green is the most common color, lima beans can also be found in shades of white, yellow, and even purple.
Nitrogen fixers:
Like other legumes, lima bean plants are nitrogen fixers. This means they capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for themselves and other plants nearby, improving soil quality.