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Solomon's Seal is a native that blooms in April and May |
The ballet score Appalachian Spring won the Pulitzer
Prize for Music in 1945 and remains one of the most inspiring works in American
history.
But composer Aaron Copeland didn’t have mountains or
forests in mind when he started working on the orchestral suite in 1942.
He initially called the score “Ballet for Martha” for the
ballet’s choreographer and lead dancer, Martha Graham.
Graham suggested the name the day before the ballet
premiered.
Copeland once said “I gave voice to that region without
knowing I was giving voice to it.”
And he was often told he’d brilliantly captured the
beauty of the Appalachians in his music.
Every time I hear Appalachian Spring I envision the beauty of the mountains. Especially this time of year.
Diverse
and dramatic
The mountains that surround me make up one of the most
biologically diverse areas of the world with more than 1,600 flowering plants.
For me, visions of violets begin the season of rebirth.
The Halberd-leaf Yellow Violet is usually the first flower I see.
The humble violet has been celebrated in myths and
literature from ancient times, a symbol of modesty and simplicity. Longfellow
wrote that it “lurks among all the lovely children of the shade.”
Shakespeare described the violet as “forward” as it
trumpets the awakening of the earth following winter. He also writes the violet
is “sweet, not lasting. The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.”
Confederate Violet |
So we should gather our halberd-leaf yellow violets while
we may. Along with the other violets that grow along my trail including Confederate,
Common Blue. Pale and several other varieties.
Trillium
heaven
A couple of years ago according to folks in the know, a very warm
winter caused many wildflowers to go into a tizzy.
Apparently many species flowered up to three weeks early
and because of the warmth, the bloom period was very short. Trilliums also
appeared early and were quickly devoured by hungry deer.
At that time I was new to the mountains, so I didn’t know what I was missing. Now I do and eagerly anticipate the gorgeous, distinctive blooms.
Catesby's Trillium (maybe) |
Trilliums are members of the Lily family and are among
the showiest of springtime wildflowers. The local natives sport three
distinctive leaves and when they bloom, the flowers have three petals.
American Indians used the plant as an eye medication and
women boiled the roots to make a love potion. Mountain folk say if you pick a
trillium you will bring on a rainstorm.
Stinking Benjamin |
Wake Robin, favorite from last year, is back with its
deep burgundy blooms. Apparently that is the “nice” name because I’ve learned
it is also known as Stinking Benjamin or Stinking Willie because of the putrid
smelling flower. Early herbalists use it to treat gangrene.
A number of Painted Trilliums are growing down by the
path. It was a happy surprise because I didn’t see any last year. I’m delighted
to have them because experts say they have been virtually bulldozed or picked
into extinction.
The white and pink trilliums nearby are beautiful,too.
But I’ve become partial to the Painteds.
Every time I see one, I hear music.
Painted Trillium |