Spring’s early bloomers have arrived. The first to show were the snowdrops.
Snowdrops usually fade by the time the crocuses, hellebores and daffodils bloom. But not this year.
Crocuses
Hellebores
Winter aconite, in the buttercup family, hugs the ground.
Winter aconite
Then there is winter jasmine, a cascading bush with yellow flowers often confused with forsythia.
Winter jasmine
None of these early bloomers are native to North America. Soon, the native and lovely spring ephemerals will begin to appear. These wildflowers will be putting on a show in Rock Creek Park and its tributary parks, and Rock Creek NPS is leading two-mile wildflower hikes from the Rock Creek Nature Center on Sunday March 23rd and 30th.
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Kathy Sykes says
Take a free hike in Rock Creek Park with a Park Ranger Claire Jaeger Mountain
Want to jump-start your weekend? Take a hike in Rock Creek Park! Join National Park Ranger Claire for a pleasant and informative stroll through the park. This guided hike will take visitors from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center down into the Rock Creek valley, along the creek and back to the Nature Center. The focus of the hike will be springtime – how does Rock Creek Park wake up from winter? Hikes will last no more than two hours but could cover a distance up to three miles. Terrain could be uneven or slippery depending on the weather in the days leading up to the hike. Bring water, wear appropriate clothing and comfortable hiking shoes, and be prepared to have fun.
Walks will take place on March 14 and March 28 from 3-4:30pm, and will leave from the front porch of the Nature Center. Plenty of parking and bathrooms are available.
David Falk says
Nice summary of what to look for right now. My Winter aconite are already gone, but daffodils have taken their place. Squirrels ate my crocus bulbs a few years ago, so never tried again. Walked Rock Creek Park this morning where DC and Montgomery County meet, but it’s maybe two weeks early to see anything except clumps of snowdrops. I’ll be back.