Monday at the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) my husband and I enjoyed one of our favorite plantings, a wildflower display of Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox). Both are eastern North American natives. He is partial to the Golden Ragwort while I prefer the phlox. Together they make a great display, much more vivid in person.
Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)
A couple of Eastern Blue Phlox are blooming in my own garden. They have been difficult to establish but this year they finally seem settled.
Growing at pbmGarden: Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)
There were still plenty of Trillium and May-Apple, Spreading Jacob’s Ladder was fresh, sweet shrub looked and smelled delicious. At every turn was something new to admire. If you have time to linger, click an image below to start the slideshow.
pbmGarden 
So pretty! I have most of these blooming in my woodland too. Love this time of year.
Your woodland is a treasure. I don’t have much shade so am lucky I can drive just a few miles to catch these spring blooms.
Brings back fond memories of my years volunteering at NCBG.
It’s looking lovely. You should come back and see it again.
Oh my, it’s a smorgasbord of wildflower beauty! It’s about to happen in my woodland, as well. The Mayapples, Bloodroot, etc., are poking through the soil. We’re later, but it’s still just as sweet. Happy spring!
It’s an exciting time of year. Happy spring to you too Beth!
What a beautiful place to visit Susie, lovely photographs too. I’m trying to grow Phlox divaricata again at home, as I love the colour and its fragrance, my last clump only lived a few years as I did not give it enough of a humus rich soil.
Hope you can reestablish Phlox divaricate Julie. Even at the botanical garden I’ve noticed there are fewer of them than several years ago. Thanks for the tip–I’ll try to add humus to give them a boost.
I love this time of year in the woods. Ours are full of wood anemone and some yellow primrose, native to Germany, of course.
Sounds delightful Cindy. Must be fun to experience spring in different parts of the world as you have.
I wish I could establish Trillium. They do well in their first year and then never return. Such a shame. Either my soil is too heavy or something is feasting on them!
Disappointing when plants don’t return. I’ve never tried to grow them, but other thins like bloodroot never take in my garden.
I love that pale blue; reminds me of a plant I grow here, whose name escapes me for the moment. I’ll come back when I remember. I love the image with the ferns – beautiful.
Yes, that blue is wonderful. This is a much nicer time of year for seeing this garden than when you were here. There are tons of ferns unfurling, native azaleas, scented geraniums, etc.
How lovely
This was so magical that I expected to spy some fairies in the photos.
Thank you, so glad you felt its delight.
Nothing like wildflowers to feed the soul. Yours is a very different array than those we saw on our wildflower walk Sunday.
…And different from those we saw just a few weeks ago. Shifting emphasis.
I love these woodland flowers, especially the Trilliums. In my garden the rabbits tend to eat up the woodland phlox.
We saw a rabbit at this garden the day we visited, happily chomping down on something. The first one always looks so cute we didn’t want to disturb it.
Spring woodland plants are very attractive especially the trillium. Ragwort is a notifiable, poisonous ,weed in the UK. Is the one in your blog poisonous?
This is a native plant and is featured at quite a few of the other botanical gardens and sold as a garden plant. Apparently the leaves contain low toxicity alkaloid (Pyrrolizidine) so animals don’t eat it (except sheep). Natives Americans used it medicinally, but according to wikipedia entry: “In contemporary times, P. aurea is not much used due to its saturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver veno-occlusive disease upon metabolism. If used, a PA-free extract would be required for safe use for more than a two-week course.” (Wikipedia)
The NCBG looks so lush and peaceful. I love woodland phlox both for their look and their scent. They’re just starting to bloom now.
Enjoy your woodland phlox. Mine are starting to fade. Mid-80s for two days and no rain for 8-10. Nice while they lasted.
The display of woodland phlox at the garden is wonderful. I haven’t been there yet this spring, unfortunately. I wish the Garden stayed open later than 5. I always enjoy seeing the Florida azalea by the Totten Center.