May 3, 2020

This chapter explains how Bellis perennis has not come to Ithaca. Bellis perennis is sometimes planted as an ornamental (the so-called English daisy) and has occasionally escaped, but it is not widespread in North America. The author describes the meadow violets (Viola papilionacea) that emerged at the far end of her lawn. Alongside the meadow violets and dandelions, hairy bittercress, red dead nettle, field forget-me-nots, and both birdeye and thyme-leaf speedwells were all flourishing. The author also recounts how it rained on the last day of April. By early morning of May Day, hermit thrushes visited the author's lawn. Hermit thrushes are summer visitors that can be seen occasionally in woodland.