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PRIME TIME WILDFLOWER SEASON ALERT!
by Jane Scully

	Wild Blue Phlox
	Trout Lily

The early April showers might be worth it, given the glorious wildflower displays beginning now and running through May and June. The delicate ephemerals that flower under the spring sun before the leaves come out on the trees are magnificent.

Go now while you can see the bluebells in all variety of pinks and whites as it matures, the spring beauties delicately laid out in whites and links. If you're lucky, you may see the lovely little rue anemone, lying discreetly in the shade. Perhaps you will find the yellow trout lily, exquisite with its brownish-mottled leaves and long brown arching stamens.

What you find will be influenced by where you are; habitat and elevation play major roles, even in our own immediate area and even on a particular trail. In wet places, you may get lucky and see blue flag iris, Indian cucumber root and a variety of violets. Higher, better-drained ground is the place to go for oceans of wild blue phlox, jack-in-the-pulpit and later bloomers you'll find in Wildflowers A to Z. Slopes and uplands are home to large-flowered trillium and lady's slippers.

So choose your discovery spot with elevation and habitat in mind-rocky? Sun all day? Deep shade? Beside a stream? Wherever you go, some lovely surprises await you. Enjoy the merry month of May-and June!

Photos by the author

Wildflowers A to Z