Inklings of spring

Townsendia hookeri

Easter this year doesn't officially occur till April 20--almost a month away, Easter daisies don't really pay attention to religion however--these may even be in seed in a month! We were blessed with a visit from Sean Hogan--owner of Cistus Design--and one of the greatest specialty nurseries on the globe. We subjected Sean to a conference and endless partying--but his heart resides in nature.  We had to take him to a favorite spot north of Boulder in compensation! 

Townsendia hookeri

I have visited this site dozens of times over the decades (as has every botanist hereabouts). It is full of a great variety of treasures. But it's also very fragile. So, please, no big field trips or tours come here! The townsendias were rather sparse this year--as was the local Physaria. One thing about nature (or humanity for that matter): stasis is anathema.

Viola nuttallii

Found from the Great Plains to nearly alpine heights, like so many common plants, I haven't found this as easy to grow as I'd like. Funny how rare endemics often grow like weeds and common stuff doesn't!

Physaria bellii

There were a few of these scattered about (not the hundreds I'm used to)--this was the only one blooming!

Physaria bellii

I almost prefer it in just its rosette! Although the swollen seed pods are pretty cool. 

Sean Hogan photographing Townsendia hookeri

Here's the Master at it: his pictures are always better than mine! Harrumph.

Niobrara shale outcrop

This formation outcrops from Wyoming well down the Front Range--circumscribing the range of the Physaria above. This spot is especially rich--and the crevice garden style outcrops are irresistible.

Mahonia repens

We ventured up Lefthand Canyon a bit further on: I predicted we'd find mountain ball cactus on any south-facing rocky slope. But first we found this rather photogenic sprig of "Oregon grape"--obviously sent to greet our Oregonian. I know the genus has been subsumed by Berberis by gene jockeys. They are a distinctive subset of that giant genus--so I like to still acknowledge that. So THERE, gene jockeys!

Pediocactus simpsonii

 At first I thought we'd been skunked--but of course it was Sean who spied a little colony a bit further up the slope. Our Front Range pedios are some of the best, often with dark pink (wonderfully fragrant) flowers, and spines that are sometimes dark brown, or golden--or right west of Denver they're snow white. THIS should have been our State Cactus (don't you agree) rather than the more widespread claret cup.

Now we can officially say Spring has sprung! The magnolias, forsythias and Prunus and more around Denver agree! It's gonna be a heck of a glorious week for color!