We have had a crazy spring. Of course the weather varies from year to year – sometimes we go straight from winter into summer, sometimes it is cold and wet – you never know how it will go. This year spring has been a little slow. We get those nice warm, sunny days and then a stretch of cooler weather. The early rains are good if you don’t like gypsy moths. Hopefully we will be spared from those abundant, voracious caterpillars.
It is, above all, garden time. The gardens have also been a bit slow this year but today I saw my first Yellow Lady’s Slipper. It is one of the plants that attracts visitors to the Sanctuary. When I came to work here, I expected to see the Lady’s Slippers around Memorial Day. With a warming climate in many years we have peak bloom around May 15th. As they are just starting, you still have time to plan your visit. The Lady’s Slippers should be peaking over the next two weeks.
[lightbox link=”http://norcrosswildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/phlox-garden-e1526668574315.jpg” thumb=”http://norcrosswildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/phlox-garden-150×150.jpg” width=”150″ align=”right” title=”” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]All the spring wildflowers are up and doing their thing. The weather is a little cool, a little damp and a little warm making it a good spring season for plants. Phlox, wakerobin, bluestar, wild geranium and foam flower are all in bloom or starting to bloom. You can check our website and the weekly bloom list for a full listing of the plants currently in bloom. I make sure that my crew takes time out to look at the garden while we are working. Woodland wildflowers typically bloom from around May 1 through about June 15th. There is always something to see in those six weeks. There is no lull, either. From mid-June we go into the summer wildflowers and meadow plants and fall brings the asters and goldenrods. There is always something in bloom along our walking trails.If you know our gardens – the Short Trail Garden is in full bloom right now while the Lime Flower Cobble is lagging a bit (they are on a north facing slope). The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary’s visitor center and trails are open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm. The Sanctuary is closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays (including Saturday, May 26th for Memorial Day). Admission is free. There is a printed bloom list you may take on your walk to discover all the plants in bloom as well as trail maps. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!
