Excellent and inspiring Jeanne. I had never heard of Oconee Bells before. I like that last image as well. That's great that you and your friend have been able to help the oconees thrive. Thanks for sharing.
I saw my first Oconee Bells last spring in a place very dear to me and can't wait to see them again! It makes me so happy that you and Jon are doing the work to protect this special wildflower and help them flourish and grow. Thank you!
Thank you, Susi - I appreciate that! It may be awhile .... 😄 This book has been living in my mind for a decade at least. I'm just now reaching the point in life where I have the time and space to dive into it. Wish me luck!
I don't think I have ever encountered Oconee Bells during my hikes, but I am going to keep my eyes (and heart) open for them, especially when in the NC/ GA mountains.
Yes, an open heart! Love that. The best/easiest place to see them, MK, is at Devils Fork State Park in SC. I'm leading a hike there on March 23, if you're interested. (I forget where you live, but I'm pretty sure you're in SC, right?)
Great read! I love Shortia, and I have for a long time! I became familiar with it many years ago while on a field trip as part of the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. It's such a lovely and delicate plant. I tried to grow it once in Nashville TN but it's just too hot and dry here. Do you know Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla? https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon-detail.php&taxonid=4597
Hi Paul and welcome to Rx Nature! So sorry you can't grow it up there in TN. Yes, I've read about the brevistyla but haven't seen it in the wild (yet). Thank you for this article; hadn't seen that either. Interesting that they cite Gaddy. I interviewed him once for the Native Plant Society newsletter. He's legendary down in these parts. Anyway, I'm glad to meet a fellow Shortia fan.
Oh my stars, how utterly lovely they are! I have never heard tell of these precious native wildflowers but I know a little of the excitement of nurturing one's own spring ephemerals. Absolutely thrilling to be the caretaker for these rare beauties, and what a beautiful place to call home. xo
My whole urban yard is a native garden, mostly part-sun species. I’ve planted Virginia bluebells, great white trilliums, Pasque flowers and bloodroot, fairly common in our good quality woodlands. Some people I know have successfully transplanted lady’s slipper orchids and trout lilies, which are less common ephemerals here, only in high quality woodlands. I envy your natural setting, it sounds lovely. 🥰
So interesting! I really envy you the bluebells, and the lady's slippers. Your yard may be urban, but it sounds like a real oasis of diversity. Well done!
Me too, Irwin -- I've always been fascinated by that descriptor. And of course, all the flowers that earn that descriptor. They're so delicate and brief and precious.
My goodness, but that is a uniquely beautiful little plant. Thank you for sharing her with us. This made my heart sing. I look forward to following her journey here. 🤍
What a great story and collection of images especially the close-up of the first flower of the season under your watch!
~ a new Oconee Bell fan
Welcome to our ranks, Debbie! And thanks so much for sharing this on Facebook!
This thrills my heart! I am so grateful for people like you who love our place so well.
We share a deep, abiding love of these mountains, Tricia, don't we?
Excellent and inspiring Jeanne. I had never heard of Oconee Bells before. I like that last image as well. That's great that you and your friend have been able to help the oconees thrive. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Neil!
How lovely. The Oconee Bell and your story of resettling it in its rightful home. Thank you for doing that and telling us!
Thank you, Sandy!
Leaving your corner of the world better than when you first found it - Thanks Jeanne
Thank you, Mark!
I saw my first Oconee Bells last spring in a place very dear to me and can't wait to see them again! It makes me so happy that you and Jon are doing the work to protect this special wildflower and help them flourish and grow. Thank you!
My pleasure, Naomi! And ... I love the name of your Substack. Wendell Berry would be pleased. 😊
Thank you! :)
I am looking forward to reading your book!
Thank you, Susi - I appreciate that! It may be awhile .... 😄 This book has been living in my mind for a decade at least. I'm just now reaching the point in life where I have the time and space to dive into it. Wish me luck!
all the very best of luck, and support from the universe. it sounds like a book begging to be born. even if 15 min a day, please do. <3
I don't think I have ever encountered Oconee Bells during my hikes, but I am going to keep my eyes (and heart) open for them, especially when in the NC/ GA mountains.
Yes, an open heart! Love that. The best/easiest place to see them, MK, is at Devils Fork State Park in SC. I'm leading a hike there on March 23, if you're interested. (I forget where you live, but I'm pretty sure you're in SC, right?)
I am in NC, but if not too far, may be worth the drive.
Devils Fork is south from the state line if you drive down 130 from Sapphire, Cashiers, etc.
Great read! I love Shortia, and I have for a long time! I became familiar with it many years ago while on a field trip as part of the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. It's such a lovely and delicate plant. I tried to grow it once in Nashville TN but it's just too hot and dry here. Do you know Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla? https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon-detail.php&taxonid=4597
Hi Paul and welcome to Rx Nature! So sorry you can't grow it up there in TN. Yes, I've read about the brevistyla but haven't seen it in the wild (yet). Thank you for this article; hadn't seen that either. Interesting that they cite Gaddy. I interviewed him once for the Native Plant Society newsletter. He's legendary down in these parts. Anyway, I'm glad to meet a fellow Shortia fan.
I'm glad we have connected! Do you know the plant Carex fraseriana (Fraser's Sedge)It's another really cool plant.
Don't know it. Please enlighten me!
It's a wonderful sedge with wide strap-like leaves and blooms that look like an exploded Q-tip. It was previously named Cymophyllus fraseriana
I have a couple of photos but see how to send from here.
What little beauties they are .. Precious plants ..you deserve to look after them .. ❤️
Thanks so much, Eleanor! I will do my best to keep them safe &healthy.
Oh my stars, how utterly lovely they are! I have never heard tell of these precious native wildflowers but I know a little of the excitement of nurturing one's own spring ephemerals. Absolutely thrilling to be the caretaker for these rare beauties, and what a beautiful place to call home. xo
Ah, Carmine, so nice. Thank you! So you nurture some spring ephemerals, too? I'd love to hear the what/where of that!
My whole urban yard is a native garden, mostly part-sun species. I’ve planted Virginia bluebells, great white trilliums, Pasque flowers and bloodroot, fairly common in our good quality woodlands. Some people I know have successfully transplanted lady’s slipper orchids and trout lilies, which are less common ephemerals here, only in high quality woodlands. I envy your natural setting, it sounds lovely. 🥰
PS I live in the Twin Cities, MN
So interesting! I really envy you the bluebells, and the lady's slippers. Your yard may be urban, but it sounds like a real oasis of diversity. Well done!
So amazing. Thank you for being their steward!
Thank you, Jan. It's my pleasure to take care of them. And welcome to the Rx Nature family!
Thank you Jeanne. They are so sweet. And I love the sound of “Spring ephemera”. To me it says, “they come and go quickly. But they return.”
Me too, Irwin -- I've always been fascinated by that descriptor. And of course, all the flowers that earn that descriptor. They're so delicate and brief and precious.
My goodness, but that is a uniquely beautiful little plant. Thank you for sharing her with us. This made my heart sing. I look forward to following her journey here. 🤍
So sweet, Rebecca! Thank you much.
Love this. I hope that book happens! Shared on my Facebook Timeline.
Thank you for sharing it, Merry! And especially about the book. Yes! I hope so, too.
For such a small and delicate flower, they have a huge following.
Well said, my dear!