Spring is here and while many of my friends are oozing about the cherry blossoms, I’m obsessing about what plants are coming up. It is always a marvel when the ground erupts and leaves and stems pop out. Here in Maryland, the beloved Virginia bluebell is in its full sky blue glory, but as it poked its way out of the ground a few weeks ago its leaves were a unique black-purple hue. Hostas are coming out of the ground now looking like a squad of spearheads and peonies are appearing as deep maroon stalks. But perhaps my favorite of the spring emergents are the ferns. The leaves slowly unfurl from a tight spiral creating one of the most graceful of nature’s displays. Ferns evoke strong feelings in many of us, for me it is a combination of tranquility and bounty, perhaps - quiet exuberance. The reproductive cycle of ferns has always fascinated me, but after having done research on them, I’m even more enthralled. Ferns have shaped life on the planet for far longer than humans have even been around.
Have you even eaten hosta shoots? We did last year, really good. Like asparagus
No - I haven't. Sounds dubious given I don't like asparagus but love hosta plants :^)
You've taught me something new: rhizomes
I'm glad I could find something to teach you! That article was jammed pack with things that were new to me.
This is a lovely expose on ferns and their very interesting reproductive cycles. Thanks.
Thanks John, glad you found it interesting.
That's a good post, Pru. How about the tree ferns we saw in New Zealand!
I am very glad you enjoyed it Marney. Tree ferns are astounding. So very beautiful and evocative.