It is your GPOD editor, Joseph, here today, sharing photos of more wildflower adventures, this time in southern Indiana. It is amazing to me what beautiful flowers I saw and how many of them I have never seen in gardens! There is so much more we can do to truly appreciate and grow our beautiful native plants.

Giant waterleaf (Hydrophyllum appendiculatum, Zones 3–7) has big beautiful clusters of soft blue flowers.

Many of the hillsides I saw were just covered with clouds of these giant waterleaf blooms. This plant is a biennial, so after the flowers fade the plants will die, setting lots of seed to germinate and carry on the show in future years.

Prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum, Zones 4–9) was a new species for me to see in the wild. Though the flowers are not as showy as those of the classic great white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum, Zones 3–9), they are beautiful and interesting and definitely reward a closer look.

Speaking of rewarding a closer look, wild ginger (Asarum canadense, Zones 4–7) has attractive foliage, but it is easy to overlook the flowers. Because they are pollinated by beetles that live on the ground, the blooms open not up in the air but down right at the soil surface, often even covered by leaf litter. But in the spring it is worth poking around a little to see and enjoy these unusual flowers.

Violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea, Zones 5–9) is a plant that was new to me, and I just fell in love with it. Some sorrels are weeds, but this is a wonderful little native. The little pink flowers were fine—but the foliage! I just loved the carpet it made of green leaves, each marked with a dark burgundy pattern. I would LOVE to have this carpeting my shade garden at home.

I’ve pulled a LOT of weedy, invasive, European chickweed (Stellaria media, annual) out of my gardens, but this native star chickweed (Stellaria pubera, Zones 4–11) actually surprised me by being quite beautiful!

I never get tired of seeing woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata, Zones 3–8). Each plant is a little different, and each one is beautiful.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

isYoung Birdlook® Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Upgraded Dual Granary Bird Feeder. G11 Smart Bird Feeder with Camera – The upgraded dual granary design allows for separate food dispensing, giving birds the freedom to choose while preserving the food’s original taste. With a 2L extra-large capacity, it reduces the need for frequent refills. The drainage design ensures the food stays dry and prevents spoilage from rain. Ideal as a camera bird feeder for birdwatching enthusiasts. 2K HD Camera & Close-Up Bird Watching. Experience clear bird watching with the G11 smart bird feeder. This bird feeder with camera features a 170-degree wide-angle lens and a 1296P HD camera, ensuring vibrant images and videos. With AI-powered recognition, it can identify over 16,000 bird species (subscription required, first month free) and provides extensive birding knowledge. Its unique design helps attract more birds to your backyard. App Alerts & Super Night Vision. The smart bird feeder camera detects motion within 0.5 seconds and sends instant notifications through the "VicoHome" app. With a 2.4G Wi-Fi connection, you can view real-time updates on bird activity right from your app. The video bird feeder also features night vision, ensuring vibrant images and videos even in low light conditions. Ideal for wild bird feeders, this advanced functionality enhances your bird-watching experience day and night.

Buy at Amazon

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.

Buy at Amazon

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

Buy at Amazon