Wild Blue Phlox

Spring has sprung and so have my Wild Blue Plox otherwise known as Phlox Divaricata. This form of Phlox is a native wildflower also known as Wild Sweet William.  The word Phlox is Greek for flame.  All forms of Phlox attract butterflies and humming birds.

Drunk on Spring!

Sweet Woodruff or Galium Odoratum is a lovely little Springtime ground cover herb. It's tiny ghost white flowers smell like vanilla. Mine blooms in May here. And according to folklore heals, protects and helps you prosper. 

On May first it is traditional in many Countries to drink May Wine to welcome Spring and the return to gardening and warmer weather. May Wine has been traditionally made with white wine infused with sweet woodruff and strawberries.  Above is one I found by Galena Wine Cellars.

I also found this one with a lovely label! Brotherhood makes this one. So why not join in the fun put up a Maypole, have a bonfire and drink some May Wine. Oh and don't forget to grow some sweet woodruff!

The Lenten Rose ......

By any other name, would be called Hellebores. It is one of the first flowers to bloom here in the WildWoods. The buds begin to appear in February and by the time that Lent arrives, the buds will have begun to open or maybe even be in full bloom. The foliage is green year round and provides nice coverage under the trees during the winter months. Hellebores like moist but well-drained soil in light shade. They are deer resistant and can be divided quite easily.


Hellebores is believed to help summon demons in witchcraft. It is thought that Alexander the Great was poisoned using Hellebores. And it is said that the species, Hellebores Niger, aka Christmas Rose, (a white Lenten Rose that blooms closer to the Yule Season), was to have sprung from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give to the Christ child.