Woodland Garden at Greenspring Herbs

It is spring here at Greenspring Herbs. The bird activity is nearly constant throughout the day, the tree frogs are singing at night, and the woodland garden that I began last season is coming to life.

I want to take you on a photo tour of what is happening right now!

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

I purchased both the goldenseal and the blue cohosh plants last summer, and this is my first time getting to see both of these plants in flower, live, with my own eyes. I can't tell you how special it feels to be a steward for these plants on my own land in suburban Baltimore County.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Bloodroot, mayapple, and jack-in-the-pulpit are all plants that have literally come to me. Over the years they have showed up along the edges of the property, and I have rejoiced at their appearance. I transplanted each of these plants from other areas of the yard into my newly designated woodland garden, and the mayapple was actually dug out of the compost pile!

Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)

Celandine poppy is another plant that made its way into my yard on its own. Again, I transplanted it into the designated woodland garden, but there is a substantial patch along the edge of my fence in another part of the yard. From that patch, I broke a stem to demonstrate the bright yellow sap that lives inside this plant. It is caustic and had been used traditionally, directly applied to the skin, to get rid of warts and other skin growths.

Sassafrass (Sassafras albidum)

This sassafrass tree was growing up among the brambles and vines that I cleared out to make space for the woodland garden. Now it is part of what makes this space special.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

Pawpaw flowers are something to behold! This year the trees are full of blooms. Looks to be a good year for pawpaws.

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens)

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

The wild ginger, partridge berry, and slippery elm were also purchased and planted last season. It is so rewarding to watch these plants come to life here for the first time, and to help create this botanical sanctuary, even if on a small scale.

About me:

My name is Jillian Bar-av and I am a Registered Herbalist and Licensed Nutritionist who works with busy women to help them have the energy to do what they love. I specialize in conditions that affect the reproductive system and urinary tract, such as PCOS and Interstitial Cystitis. I believe that it takes healthy people to create a healthy planet, and I want to make a difference for both.

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