The birds are chirping, and the sunshine feels a little warmer on our backs. As we bear the usual pains of fickle spring weather, most of us are excited just to see some sort of green activity in nature and our gardens. Our Horticulture staff has been on the lookout for any and all signs of bud break as we work on cutting back old growth, mulching, and removing the last of the fall leaves. We’ve spotted quite a few species braving the ever-changing March weather.

Wellfield is now open DAILY, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and we invite you to join us in looking for early signs of spring! Here are a few species to look out for to tide us over until May:

Witch Hazel
Forsythia
Dogwood
Magnolia
Redbud
Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Crocuses, and Dwarf Iris
Woodland Ephemerals
Azaleas

(tulips and hyacinths emerging in Annual Garden display)

(Amelanchier buds on the north promenade shoreline)

(early Solidago, Monarda, and Ratibida basal leaves returning in the prairie)

(sedums emerging in the Adventure Path)

(yellow and orange witch hazel, along with forsythia and daffodils/tulips in the Spring Garden)

(yellow-green branches of the willow trees in the Island Garden)

(dwarf iris in the Water Celebration Garden)

(Hepatica, ramps, and Virginia bluebells all emerging in the Woodland Conservation Garden)

The liriope, heuchera, and sweet flag are starting to make their comeback, along with some hostas. We can see the basal leaves of the Solidago starting to emerge, along with some of the heart-leaved aster and lady’s mantle. If you’re excited by the process of rebirth and like to hunt out signs of new life, Wellfield has a lot of species to admire this time of year.

Take the time to notice the changing of the seasons around you, and appreciate the patience of nature. Let it inspire you to notice the subtleties around us and practice patience as well. I like to look for sources of inspiration – either online or in the spaces around me – this time of year to add a few tweaks to my final garden plans (although they are always evolving!). And don’t worry – we’ll be sweating in the July heat before we know it! 

Mary Wojcik, Lead Horticulturist