Wild Comfrey

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)

Numerous in the wooded section of our walk, especially near the small pond.

Additional Resources:
Missouri Plants
To Be In The Wild

Wild Comfrey

Replanting Strawberries -- Again

Ozark Beauty

The first batch of new strawberries Jo planted earlier this spring didn't do so well. About two-thirds of them died. I think we let them get too dry. So, Jo picked up some berry plants in town and we'll try again. Most of these transplants are larger than the ones that have been growing in the bed for a month. Some even have fruit that is almost ripe.

Replanting Strawberries -- Again

Escape Attempt

When the plants start trying to climb out the top, it's time to remove the cloches.

Escape Attempt

Potatoes Up

Photo by Marvin April 19, 2007

The potato plants wisely waited underground until after our hard freeze before breaking through to the surface.

Potatoes Up

Bloodroot

From March, 2007

A look inside the root shows how bloodroot got its name. The root contains a red pigment that was once used as a dye.

Bloodroot

New Strawberries Planted

On Wednesday Jo got the strawberry plants set out into the strawberry beds, then covered the beds with wire so that the new plants don't become deer food.

It's hard to believe that these scruffy little strawberries will one day produce the berries we love to eat so much.

From March, 2007

New Strawberries Planted

Surprise Lily Bulbs Planted

Tuesday Jo planted surprise lilies out by the fire hydrant. We had two containers of surprise lily bulbs that Jo dug up when our water line was dug. Some were in a large terra cotta pot. Others were in a short plastic tote. Both groups were beginning to grow despite their ill treatment since being dug up. Neither have received any water since – when was it that our water line was laid – last August?

The group in the plastic tote have been stuck in the unfinished side of the basement where they were protected from freezing, but received absolutely no sunlight. Those in the terra cotta pot sat outside for several months and then were brought inside the studio during the worst of the winter. However, the studio is only heated when Jo is working over there, and she doesn't work during periods of extreme cold, which means they were exposed to several days of sub-freezing temperatures. (I know the bulbs are exposed to sub-freezing temperatures outside, but they receive a lot of warmth and protection from being buried in the ground.)

I also wonder what mechanism the bulbs use to know when to start growing? It cannot be day length because the group in the root cellar weren't exposed to sunlight. I reckon temperature can play a role, but the two groups experienced some considerably different temperatures. Yet, both groups began sending up shoots about the same time as those that have been outside in the ground all winter. Amazing!

Anyway...... Jo got the surprise lilies planted outside where they can continue growing, die back completely, then bloom in late July.

My previous comments on surprise lilies.

Surprise Lily Bulbs Planted