Rain!

Took a walk to today at Lulu Rd. to look for morels - still none!

There was some much needed rain (and much loved thunder) for much of the day.

Planted 3 Dodecatheon jeffreyi and 3 Dodecatheon subalpinum and 1 of each Echinacea paradoxa and Echinacea atrorubens in Sand Area; 2 Dodecatheon subalpinum and 2 Dodecatheon jeffreyi in Woodland Area 2. All from fridge dish (in 4/15).

Some new plants today: Several Castilleja coccinea, 1 Trillium undulatum, 1 Galax aphylla, and 1 Viola saggitata planted in Sand Area. Planted a Veratrum viride and Phlox stolonifera in Woodland Area 2, and a P. stolonifera also in Woodland Area 1 and the Main Garden. Planted Trillium erectum, Trillium erectum luteum, Trillium pusillum, Trillium catesbaei, Trillium vaseyi, Hepatica acutiloba, Asarum europaeum, and Caulophyllum thalictroides in Woodland Area 1. Lots of new and interesting plants today!

Noticed that the Vaccinium myrtilloides are coming up more and more from the root in the sand area. The Cypripedium acaule are in full bloom now, and Cypripedium montanum should be tomorrow - but it was too rainy to get pictures.

Found out why Justicia americana (and Pontederia cordata) aren't coming back up in the pond - apparently nematodes got into their roots - lots of 'em! I may be able to salvage the Justicia, as some of the roots look like they're still alive, I cleaned it off and put it in new dirt, so we'll see, but the P. cordata is toast! :(

Decided on a new method (to attempt) growing seeds that need scarifying - scarifying them and then planting them after a soaking rain. I planted the following today in the sandy area behind the garage: Tephrosia virginica, Lupinus arizonicus, Lupinus nootkatensis, Lupinus luteus, Lupinus sparsifolius, Lupinus benthamii, Lupinus bicolor, Lupinus parviflorus, Lupinus albicaulis, Lupinus sericeus, Lupinus arboreus, Lupinus alba, Lupinus polyphyllus and Lupinus hirsutissimus. Also planted Baptisia australis, Baptisia minor, Baptisia sphaerocarpa, Baptisia leucantha and Baptisia leucophaea in the Sand Area.

Finally, planted Salvia lyrata from (5/1 dish) in Pond Area. Planted the following from 5/6 dish in these areas:
Phacelia tanacetifolia, Matthiola incana, Cheiranthus cheiri, and Emilia fosbergii in Pond Area.

Asclepias latifolia and Asclepias hallii in Sand Area.

Clitoria terneata in Vine Area.

Asclepias subulata on side of garage.

**Germination notes: All from 5/6 dish: Asclepias hallii, Fibigia clypeata, Desmanthus illinoensis, Centaurea nigra, Clitoria terneata, Asclepias latifolia, White Sweet Pea, Lychnis arkwrightii, Polemonium reptans, Matthiola incana, Cheiranthus cheiri, Agastache scrophulariifolia, Emilia fosbergii, Collinsia heterophylla, Oenothera pallida 'Innocence', Lychnis coronaria alba, and Monarda citriodora.

Put 1 Lupinus littoralis and and 3 Lupinus texensis seeds in water to soak overnight, and scarified 2 Lupinus perennis seeds. Also put 2 Lablab purpurascens and 4 Cassia fasisculata seeds in water for overnight.

Planted a few more seeds in moist soil, so that I can take better care of the seedlings and labeled them once planted this time: Mina lobata, Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus coccineus, Ipomoea lindheimeri, Ipomoea hederacea, Ipomoea 'Heavenly Blue', Collinsia parviflora, Borago officinalis, Borago officinalis alba, Abelmoschus manihot and Agrostemma githago.