National Arboretum – Wild Flowers

In the early spring, the Fern Valley section of the National Arboretum features many wild flowers. The forest floors in our area bloom before the leaves leaf out and the shade becomes almost total. The entrance of the garden is in full bloom.

A little further on the dried fronds of last summer’s ferns  look like feathers (similar to ones I’ve photographed at Brookside Gardens).

The wildflowers are small so it is worthwhile to walk slowly and look for color amongst the dried leaves. There is signage that helps with identification. These are Prairie Trillium.

And then there were several Bloodroot in bloom.

These didn’t have a sign but they look like a type of Phlox.

There were lots of Virginia Bluebells.

Violets were starting to bloom. Based on the foliage…there will be a lot more blooming in a few weeks.

The Sweet Betsy Trillium was a largest of the flowers.

Wild flowers bloom early and last a short time…I’m glad we had a sunny day to visit the Arboretum…to photograph the ones in bloom last weekend.