Visiting Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Spring
Come with me on a rainy trip to Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, a place that opened my eyes to just how gorgeous spring ephemerals are.
What Are Spring Ephemerals?
First, what are spring ephemerals? These are woodland wildflowers that are the first to bloom each spring. They grow and seed quickly, taking advantage of the sunlight before the tree canopy fills in and blocks the light.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
At the preserve, I was greeted by hilltops full of Virginia Bluebells. You’ll know them by their soft clusters of flowers that shift from pink to blue as they open. That color combination is so rare in nature, and it was so inspiring to see it stretching all along the trail.
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
My favorite flower by far was Dutchman's Breeches. I laughed when I spotted the tiny, pants-shaped flowers waving in the breeze. It felt like they had been delicately pinned to a clothesline and left out in the morning rain by accident. If you love Bleeding Hearts, you’ll likely love these too.
Susquehanna Trillium (Trillium hybrid)
Another flower that seemed to be everywhere was the Susquehanna Trillium. They looked a little floppy in my photos because they were weighed down by raindrops. This rare beauty is a unique hybrid found primarily at Shenks Ferry, and people travel from all over to see them.
From Field Sketch to Painting
I’m working on a sketch of them now that I hope will become a painting…
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