Curly Lilys and Trilliums – West Coast Wild Flowers of Spring

A gorgeous view from the top of the bluff at Neck Point - looking right down over the "Neck"!

Every Spring, right around Easter I start to look for the Curly Lily’s and Trilliums.

They grow wild in the Parks and woodlands around Nanaimo.  They were a favorite with my mother-in-law and Tom and I would take walks to find the flowers and then take Ruth to see them.  As she got older and less mobile, this got harder to do as these flowers only grow in the wilder spots, especially the Curly Lily’s – her favorites!

Six Stamens, three petals, three underpetals and 3 leaves form the Trillium plant!

Last weekend we took Sophie for a walk through Neck Point Park.  We found many Curly Lily’s and I took pictures of the individual flowers and the small meadow pockets.  I love Neck Point.  Much of it used to be private land, much of it was developed and then allowed to grow wild.  The cultivated plants now grow wild and blend with the wild plants that abound.  There is Periwinkle in the Bay and Grape Hyacinth on the flat above the boat landing and fruit trees throughout.  It is always a wonderful walk.

Grape Hyacinth now grow wild at Neck Point!
A perfect Curly Lily

Curly Lily’s are difficult to photograph as the flowers all hang down from their stem.  They are very pretty and very delicate – the flower is about 3 inches across and as it ages it changes colour from white to pink.  They do not bloom for very long.

The Trilliums are a little easier to find than the Curly Lily’s.  They carpet the floor of the woods, standing bright and glowing white between the ferns and other undergrowth.  Like Curly Lily’s they change in colour from white to pink as they age, but they do bloom for a longer period of time.

Trilliums growing wild and deep in Colliery Dam Park.

We found the Trilliums at Colliery Dam Park.  This is quite an extensive park with lots of woodland and two small lakes.  We walked some paths that we had never tried before and wore Sophie right out!

A tree fungus shelf with a cedar front laid casually across!

In the park I also saw some incredible tree fungus on a tall stump.  They were all sizes and colours.  There was also a wonderful mushroom glowing against the foliage all around it on the ground!

Also low to the ground, right next to the path, I saw some very small, yellow flowers, they were sort of pitcher-shaped.  There were only two of them, I could not find any others, and after seeing these I was looking for more!  They were very pretty, but I do not know what they are!

Thank-you to Susan Brown I now know what these tiny little flowers are. They are a species of Mimula. They are edible and have been in the past used to flavour food as they are salty and a little bitter in taste. They grow in very damp places! A new wildflower for me to look for!
Sophie, pulling at the leash trying to see, smell and do more!! more!!

Sophie has been enjoying these tramps through the parks – by the end of each walk she is panting and quite happy to flop down at home and sleep for while.  She loves to sleep on her back with all 4 paws in the air.  I love it too as I can then knit for an hour or so without her interested gaze judging when it would be best to go after my yarn.

Beading done, heel turned, only the gusset shaping left before straight ahead knitting to the toe!

I have just finished turning the heel of the Palm Springs Sock.  This is one pattern that has turned out far better than expected.  I was originally going to add a beaded lace ruffle detail below the rib, but I now think that it would detract from the whole so there will be no ruffle!

Happy Knitting

Lynette

The Shining Colour of Spring!

Classic Daffodil

Has to be yellow!  It glows in the garden on those grey Spring days that have us all longing for the sun.

It is the colour of the sun and of the Daffodils, Forsythia, Crocus, Winter Aconite, and the lowly buttercup.  It shines up any spot with glowing colour and just makes me smile!

The Lorna’s Laces socks for the Summer Class now have a name – Palm Springs.  The lace pattern is an old one, based on the classic palm leaf shape and the colour of this yarn, Magnificent Mile, makes me think of Spring!  Pretty hokey eh?  I’ll accept better idea’s.

Leg of the Palm Spring Sock

I am working on this sample as fast as I can.  Most of my own knitting is about to take a little break……Vogue Wants Me to Knit for the 30th Anniversary Edition – they said so!

As soon as the yarn arrives I will be knitting my fingers to the bone for my art.  I can hardly wait!

It is all in the Details - Matsuno 8/0 beads - Creamsoda Rainbow Transparents!

Happy Knitting

Lynette