For the first time in five years, the yellowwood tree (Cladrastis ketukea, a/k/a Cladrastis lutea) is blooming. The lesson here is that, while Cladrastis is native to the United States, it's not native to the Chicago area and Northern Illinois. (As the name implies, it's from Kentucky, and also grows wild in Tennessee, Missouri and parts of North Carolina and Alabama.) There's a reason for that. Cladrastis generally blooms every other year, but in recent years, late frosts have zapped the buds. This year, it was lured out of dormancy early, and the new leaves got zapped.
Note the shriveled leaves on the right in the photo.
It put out more leaves and some buds. There was another frost, and those buds got zapped.
View of the tree with Phlox pilosa 'Eco Happy Traveler' in the background.
The prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) is smokin'! Love those showy seedheads.I kept looking at some newer buds that were teasing me with such promise, but not doing anything.
Yesterday, while wandering around outside, I noticed the flowers in bloom in the interior of the tree, where they must have been protected from the last frost by the leaves.
Clearly, this tree needs a more hospitable climate in which to bloom. I'm not saying it's not worth growing this far north, as it's a graceful tree with lovely yellow fall color and beautiful gray bark for winter interest. (It's called "yellowwood" because the heartwood is yellow.) Just be warned, if you garden in Zone 5a or Zone 4, you probably won't get to enjoy many flowers.
Yesterday, while wandering around outside, I noticed the flowers in bloom in the interior of the tree, where they must have been protected from the last frost by the leaves.
Clearly, this tree needs a more hospitable climate in which to bloom. I'm not saying it's not worth growing this far north, as it's a graceful tree with lovely yellow fall color and beautiful gray bark for winter interest. (It's called "yellowwood" because the heartwood is yellow.) Just be warned, if you garden in Zone 5a or Zone 4, you probably won't get to enjoy many flowers.
View of the tree with Phlox pilosa 'Eco Happy Traveler' in the background.
And now, a bonus:
Bonus #2, Jack is back -
Can I get an "Amen"? Jack is in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) and looking fine with his dark details. The darker forms seem to bloom later than the all green ones. This is just a natural variation that has arisen in my little population of jack-in-the-pulpits. His dark good looks are set off perfectly by the Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola.' I'd love to take credit for this, but he put himself there.
For more wildflower fun, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone.
10 comments:
I have heard of the Yellowwood tree. Now I have seen it. I guess I have seen it before without knowing just what it was. Those are small blooms for a big tree. That Jack does get around. He must have liked the frilly dress of the grass.
That is special and great cause to celebrate! The blooms are lovely and I totally appreciate the fall color. Yippee on Jack, he knew exactly where he ought to go! The grass is a keeper for so many reasons! Thanks for the shout out! gail
Here in zone 5 central Michigan, American Yellowwood are spectacular -- one of the most beautiful flowering trees ever. They tend to alternate on and off years, but when they are "on" it is amazing: just dripping with big clusters of fragrant white flowers. I wonder why your experience is so different? Maybe the seeds for your tree were collected from a more southerly, less cold hardy population of the species.
Amen! (Both to Jack and having the hakone grass to set him off--that's lovely.)
And yay for the yellowwood tree, too. I think those blooms are lovely enough to warrant growing to enjoy every five years. :)
I love the Hakonechloa with the jack...I've been meaning to add that grass for about a year now. That's great about the blooms! Another benefit of our oddly warm spring.
MMD, I can now say I know what you're talking about with regard to the Prairie Smoke! I love it!! :-)
I tried planting a yellowwood once and it didn't live for long. Maybe I can blame it on my climate, not on my poor planting techniques. I love the prairie smoke which is unfamiliar to me.
Good morning. Enjoyed seeing your wild flowers. Just got one of Jack's cousins at a plant sale. Hope to get him planted this weekend.
Love the prairie smoke. Do those seedheads look attractive all summer?
Marnie
Amen! You have much to celebrate in your garden. How wonderful that the Yellowwood tree finally flowered. It's gorgeous. Must see if I can get priarie smoke over here coz I like it. A lot!
And hurray for Jack, long may he reign in your garden.
Lisa - actually, the flower clusters are quite large. They were just way up there.
Joseph/Greensparrow - That's really interesting. I wonder if it's a microclimate issue. It forms buds, but the buds get frosted, so it does want to bloom.
CW - sorry about your yellowwood, but they are supposed to be hardy to Zone 4.
Marnie - the seedheads of prairie smoke don't last all summer, but they do last a long time. I'll have to check if I wrote down how long they last.
Yolanda Elizabet - I'll see if I can figure out how to collect seed for prairie smoke. If I manage it, I can send it to you.
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