The golden bell of the Dogtooth Violet rises from a pair of stylishly blotched leaves. 

Did you know that Dogtooth Violets, also called Trout Lilies, are pollinated by ants, and take up to seven years to mature?  Patches of Dogtooth Violets form as the  rootstock, 3-5” deep, spreads underground.

The Jack-in-the-Pulpit blooms April through  June in damp woods from Canada to Florida.
Like the ornate wall pulpits in some European churches of yesteryear, the little ‘preacher of the woodland’ has a roof over his pulpit, too!  Sometimes the interior of it is painted in stripes of vibrant burgundy, and sometimes soft greens and cream.

By late summer, his roof has vanished, and he has become a poker of glossy, Christmas-red berries!

Note: This panel received a FINALIST AWARD from Canadian Brushstroke Magazine in their May/June 2010 Still Life/Floral Competition.  

“You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” does not apply to Trilliums.  There’s no ho-hum about Ontario’s floral emblem!  Each spring, the Trilliums call us back into the woodlands to peer into their faces of unparalleled purity.

Spying the crimson frock of the Trillium’s  regal cousin, Wake-Robin, always quickens one’s heartbeat!  Unfortunately, its flowers, pollinated by flies, exude an unpleasant odour.

Did you see what the Wild Ginger’s carpet of hearts is hiding?  A jug-like crimson flower snuggled at the base of woolly stems!

Wild Ginger’s roots have a pleasing, ginger-like aroma, and can be used as a spice. 

Moist, shaded sites with humus-rich soil will enable Wild Ginger to thrive in your shade garden . . . secret jugs and all!