Indian plum/Oemleria cerasiformis, planted last spring, is showing not only new leaves, but also flowers, which thrills me no end. I had never heard of this Pacific Northwest native tree until a local landscape designer suggested it to me. It is one of the earliest blooming trees here in the Pacific Northwest.
It will only produce fruit if both a male and female are planted nearby. I do have another one elsewhere in the garden, but it is much smaller, and I don't see any sign of flowers on it.
Then again, I may have two females, or I may have two males. We'll see. Maybe I'll get lucky.
According to the website Rainy Side Gardeners, this tree produces small bittersweet fruit that animals love. It doesn't produce fruit for human consumption, although native Americans did eat it. They also used the twigs and bark for medicinal purposes. Because it flowers so early, it is an early nectar source for bees and other insects.
There is no sign of flowers on any of my red flowering currants. In fact, they all seem to be in a different stage of leafing out. One is almost completely leafed out.
Another is only showing the tips of leaves.
And a third has no sign of leaves yet, just buds. It seems to be alive, but is not yet willing to come out and play. And a fourth has no sign of leaves, but is producing suckers.
The others all look like this. So cute!
I also planted two Erythronium tuolumnense, but only one is above ground. And it looks like something has been chewing on it.
Another native that I planted last Fall is Dicentra formosa, western bleeding heart. It's on its way!
I'm also excited to see my peas have started to show themselves at last!
Peas are worth growing in the garden, for eating fresh. There is just no comparison between fresh peas and frozen.
I also have cute little baby lettuces. This one is called Mottistone.
And look! Brussels sprouts!
And Swiss chard!
