Bloom Board

Updated by dedicated volunteers, this “bloom board” is your field guide for identifying plants in bloom throughout the growing season. For over thirty years, volunteers and staff have been recording when wildflowers first bloom, also known as phenology, which is now helping researchers understand the effects of climate change.

In early spring, this woodland is covered with dozens of species of delicate ephemeral wildflowers including white trillium, trout lily, and hepatica. These plants develop flowers and complete their life cycle in early spring to absorb as much sunlight as they can before the trees above grow leaves. The sun’s energy is stored and used to develop seeds and fruit. During this time of year, all local third graders learn about the life cycle of a plant through visiting this garden to identify and learn about spring wildflowers.