Late April into May is my favorite time of year for native wildflowers. As the sun starts to warm the moistened, swampy soils one of the first flowers we’ll find is the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris); it’s a pure golden yellow. I’ve seen them growing along streams and bog lands. It belongs to the Buttercup family, but the Marsh Marigold’s leaves are shaped like large violet leaves. It is a must for any home garden that has a wetland margin.

If we don’t use herbicides on the lawn, we will be in for a treat because the first week of May will bring out the violets. Violets (Viola) have been cherished for eons. The Persians loved them and it was the flower of Athens. The Romans used violets for medicinal purposes. In ancient England, the violet was the symbol of modesty and consistency. To the Native American Indians, it was a symbol of love and courage. When the first Colonists found them growing amongst wild strawberries in the meadows, they felt somewhat ‘at home.’ American violets come in many shades of lavender to white. I prefer the deep purple ones with the heart-shaped leaves. Bees collect violet nectar so, not only are they beautiful, but they play an important environmental role.

The native Columbine (Aquelegia canadensis) is another wild perennial worth planting in rock gardens. It prefers drier conditions, and is deer resistant. Its yellow and red exotic looking flower is sometimes called ‘Indian Candy’ because of its sweet taste. Also, try Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia). The wild Bleeding Heart prefers shady, rich soil, and has a beautiful pink flower. Its leaves are fern-like and the plant is also deer resistant.

May is full of flowering native trees, shrubs, and perennials too numerous to mention in this article. To get a close look at these plants in all their glory, take a walk on the wild side. Your nose will thank you.