Treasures of Spring

Virginia Bluebells

A favorite among plant enthusiasts is the beautiful Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Bluebells have lush, green leaves and blossoms in shades of blue. Their stalks grow tall above groundcover plants and create a sea of cheerful blooms in the early spring forest. This year, we found an abundance of the classic blue-colored bluebells, as well pink and white blossoms. These color variations were amazing, especially at Ferncliff Wildlife and Wildflower Preserve! We were in awe of all the Virginia bluebells, as evidenced by the sheer number of photos we took!

Virginia bluebells are an early source of nectar for pollinators in the spring. Since their flower has a tubular shape, long-tongued bees, like bumblebees, are common pollinators. If you’re lucky, a ruby-throated hummingbird may even stop by to take advantage of the flowers.¹ The best part about Virginia bluebells? They look great in your garden! Bluebells can be planted in partial to full shade areas of your property where the soil is moist. Every spring you can enjoy these iconic blooms!

Trilliums

This spring, trillium was a thrilling find! During our adventures, we found three species of trillium in the local area (Trillium flexipes, Trillium erectum, Trillium grandiflorum). Part of what is so enchanting about finding Trillium is that it takes years for these species to reach the flowering stage. From seed, a Trillium plant may take two to three years to produce the familiar leafy structures. Then, around the seventh year, a plant will finally produce a flower.² Every bloom we see is a testament to the perseverance of this plant!

The word trillium contains the prefix ‘tri’ which derives from the Latin word ‘trilix’ and means triple.² This name is noteworthy as trillium plants all have three leaves, three petals, and three sepals. Occasionally, you may be able to find an oddball plant with a mutation that makes it grow four of everything! On one of our hikes, Shelby spotted a trillium with four leaves, petals, and sepals right next to the trail. This was a rare treat for us to observe!

Trilliums have a unique relationship that aides in their seed dispersal. Their seeds develop with an extra piece called an elaiosome. Ants are particularly attracted to the elaiosome structure because it is rich in nutrients. They harvest the seed from the Trillium plant, feast on the elaiosome, and then discard the seed. Where that seed is discarded is where a new Trillium plant will grow!³

Farren is captivated by Trillium species, and always tries to add a new species to her list each year! This spring, she found red Trillium (Trillium erectum) tucked in a small hollow that was surrounded by developed land and had invasive species encroaching the area. It was both a joy and a heartache to find this site! Farren’s favorite species so far is great white Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). The white to pink blooms are bold and impressive. She patiently awaits for the year that the collection she planted in her yard will bloom. In the meantime, Farren tries to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains each year to see populations of thousands upon thousands of great white Trillium.⁴

This plant is one of Shelby’s favorite spring finds! They are unique and intricate blooms, but easy to overlook with their small stature. She is delighted by the quirky breeches that add a bit of charm and animation to the forest floors. Shelby was very excited to see the carpet of breeches at Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve. They provided a beautiful frame for other spring ephemerals to emerge. With every step, the upside pantaloons of the Dutchman’s breeches led us on our wildflower hikes.

Animals on the Move

Along with plants, we came across a few animals enjoying the spring weather! Farren spotted a copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) basking in the sun on a rock outcrop. Copperheads are one of the venomous species of snakes in Pennsylvania, so we kept a respectful distance. Often misunderstood, snakes are fairly shy creatures that would rather make a quick exit than encounter a human in the wild. We were ssssssuper excited to see this beautiful snake!

Thanks to Shelby’s keen eye, another reptile we encountered was an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina spp. carolina). This turtle was showing off its camouflaging skills as it hid amongst the leaves next to the trail! Although quiet and not so speedy, they have an effective defensive mechanism. When threatened, the turtles will draw their feet and head into their shell and close up as tight as they can like… you guessed it, a box! Box turtles will make the most of the mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) fruit in June. If you see mayapples blooming on your property now, then keep a close eye out for box turtles this summer!

Enjoy and Protect

This spring was full of adventures! We are always seeking inspiration in nature and we are so grateful to be able to explore protected habitats. Throughout Pennsylvania, there are efforts to conserve incredible wildlands that include spring ephemeral sites. If you are interested in visiting and supporting conservation efforts, check out information from organizations like the Lancaster Conservancy, PA Game Commission, and the Central PA Conservancy.

We thank you for following along with Feather and Fern Wildscapes on this adventure! We’ll continue to use this blogspace to write about all things interesting and fun in the plant world. If you have questions about a certain plant or would like us to highlight a specific topic, comment below on any blog post and we’ll be sure to address it in a follow-up post! To keep up with us, sign up for our occasional newsletter and follow our social media channels as well – Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.