|
 (Epigaea
repens)
Mayflower
May 2003
What better
flower to highlight for this month of May than the fabulous native
Mayflower, {Epigaea repens} from the family Ericacea. The Mayflower
has been Nova Scotia's official flower since 1901, and what a
truly special plant it is.
This evergreen
plant is quite particular about where it decides to grow, as many
unfortunate gardeners have discovered. However, it is happy here
at home in our natural moist humus woodlands. If you are one of
the lucky gardeners to have these spicy pink and white flowering
plants in your back yard, tread lightly. The Mayflower does not
reseed every year and spreads quite slowly, so once gone it is
very difficult to replace. It is almost impossible to transplant.
The Mayflower although native in much of eastern North America,
it is not widespread and unfortunately like so many wildflowers
is too quickly disappearing from many areas.
So lets look
after the little Mayflower, so it will be here again next year
to announce spring in Nova Scotia. Anita Sulley
garden [at] hammondsplains [dot] ca |
