Last fall I added another three Bowman’s Root (Porteranthus trifoliatus) to the raised bed in the shady Back Garden and I really like how they are filling in and flowering more profusely.
Love the irregular star-shaped flowers, the mahogany stems, and the fall color.
Very glad I added more to this bed. Not a plant that makes a big impact from a distance but it is charming up close. Attracts native bees. Native to Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, as well as parts of Canada and the American South.
In other news, Judy and I finally lifted the ‘Globemaster’ Allium bulbs. After planting 5 bulbs over ten years ago, we dug up more than 50 bulbs today (many quite small), and we probably left a bunch in the ground. Lifting the bulbs was harder than expected as there was a tree root growing right through the middle of the patch.
‘Globemaster’ reproduces by offsets only, the flowers are sterile. We replanted the largest five bulbs, enriching the soil with leaf mold. The remainder we will give away to friends and neighbors. It will be interesting to see how the replanted bulbs will perform.
We’re starting a heat wave today, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees F through the weekend. This should bring the end of the season for our Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginianus) flowers, which usually last longer into June.
This is absolutely one of my favorite small trees. Another Illinois native that attracts native bees. I wish now I had planted one or two in the Back Garden. I wonder why it isn’t more common in this area.
With this current heat wave it feels that summer has at least unofficially begun. I’ll be back soon with news of herbs, flowering containers, Allliums, nesting birds, and much more.
gardeninacity 
Love Porteranthus. I grow P stipulatus and appreciate all of its charm.
I guess there are several similar species in the genus from different parts of the country.
The Bowman’s Root is intriguing. I wonder if it would survive in MN…. Stay cool – it’s going to be brutal for a few days!
We just got through a heat wave with three days at 90F in a row. Cooling off now, though.
That fringe tree is attractive. I like the openness.
It’s fairly columnar, I wonder if that’s because i squeezed it between the house and an eastern red cedar.
The Bowman’s Root flowers are very pretty, especially amongst the greenery in the garden bed. The fringe tree looks quite delicate….. it’s a bonus if it attracts the native bees.
Bowman’s Root flowers look very delicate but it’s a tough plant.
That is crazy weather! At least it seems that way to me, as a very outside observer. It has not even gotten that warm yet here in our ‘warmer’ climate.
Too crazy for me.
Indeed, this weekend should bring all kinds of changes. I’m betting that your shade garden will be exceptionally popular. As always, I love the whites, and they can be real show-offs in the shade.
The hot weather makes me appreciate the shade.
Same heat here. I do have six alliums, and I certainly enjoyed them. Have a nice weekend.
Heat is starting to move on for us, I hope for you too.
I am not at all familiar with Bowman’s root, but I can understand your affection for it. Just lovely. As is the fringe tree.
It’s more common in the lower midwest and southeast.
Beautiful Fringe Tree. I don’t grow one but I notice also they’re nice trees but not used often. Bowman’s root is unfamiliar. Always find interesting things in your garden. Happy weekend. Stay cool.
Wish I had planted more of the Fringe Tree.
You have so many beautiful native plants. So many are regarded as garden species over here where they have been brought. I love the Fringe tree, it is not supposed to grow so tall in France but it likes acid, humid soil, which I cannot give it. Amelia
Every time I read about Bowmans root I kick myself for not having it in my garden. It is such a beautiful plant, especially when it is blooming.
The fringe tree is another tree i admire. I don’t know why I don’t have one.
I am going to have to remedy that situation.
Love almost any allium. The globe master hasn’t done so well in my garden. Maybe I need to dig them up and separate them and enrich the soil they are in.
We’ll see if that helps with ‘Globemaster’ here.
I love fringe trees. The one in my back garden has succumbed to what the arborist told me was the emerald ash borer?! I plan to replace it as you note, it is one of the most attractive native late spring flowering trees.
The Bowman’s root is charming.
It’s tragic that EAB is going after Fringe Trees. I hope that they will leave mine alone because they are relatively small.
I was looking at bowman’s root and fringe trees just today and I always wonder why most people don’t use them in their gardens. I’m glad you do. They’re beautiful things!
Indeed!
The fringe tree is beautiful! And I love the Bowman’s root, too! You guys have been busy! I’m now a huge fan of the ornamental alliums, and I’m amazed at how well they do in deciduous shade. I should have been planting them here years ago!
I know that feeling well, about many other plants.
I say that about so many things.
So glad to know you are liking the bowman’s root. I just bought three last week and have them in. I has hesitated because of the small flowers but then saw them at Mt. Cuba planted in a small mass and they were gorgeous. I also love the fringe tree! I’m always amazed at the similarity of our plant choices.
I had to have them after seeing them around Lurie Garden.
The Bowman’s Root looks great in a mass. We do seem to have very similar tastes. A lot of midwest natives have a native range that extends to the Atlantic states.
The Fringe Tree really is pretty. Will be interesting to see how your Globemaster alliums do next year. I have never planted any simply beacuse the price of each bulb put me off, but if they multiply that well it would be worth investing.
I’ll let you know.
We’ll see how they do.
Very hot in Maine, too. 90 at its peak. Back in the day, it hardly got that hot the end of July, much less the beginning of June. Seeing the cool white of your garden was a treat.
Unfortunately our drought drags on with the heat.
Sigh.
I think it is fringe tree growing in one of the edges near the river walk here. I will have to look at that tree much more closely –it is really lovely. Those little star flowers are darling –so delicate and pretty.
Yes, unique and beautiful.
Bowman’s root is charming. It will be interesting seeing how the alliums get on next year. That fringe tree is lovely.xxx
Agreed on all counts.
The Fringe Tree looks so slender, airy, delicate and fragile I can’t imagine it managing to stay upright with snow on it. I bet it’s one of those plants that look like it could fall over any minute, but is as tough and hardy as old boots.
Yes, well said. We are at the northern edge of its range, though.
I miss my Bowman’s Root.. I had 2 and some how I must have mistreated them and they left home ? LOL
I love my Fringe tree and I count my lucky stars I have it because they are difficult to find for some reason.
I think I had Globemaster at one point but I became so enamored with Purple Sensation they were all I wanted !
I think summer starts earlier every year now with climate change .. we have had little to no rain on top of the heat … I can’t wait for Autumn already !
Oh, don’t say that. So many flowers between now and then!