April Blooms

Hi River Roaders!

It’s been awhile since my last Grounding blog post, and it feels good to get back to it. This month, we’ll take a look at what’s blooming on our grounds right now. I’d also like to invite folks to participate in wildflower walks every Sunday after service, weather permitting. Just meet on the front plaza ten minutes or so after service.

Wild columbine blooming in an area off the gravel pad in the back. This plant taught me an important lesson in “right plant-right place”. I had previously planted columbine in other areas on our site that had damp and rich soil, but these plants all died within a year. The plant pictured above is growing in a well-drained area with poor soil, which is the same conditions they grow in nature.

Our bluebells always delight in April.

We are lucky to have a large number of blackhaw viburnum on our grounds. It is a great three season shrub with flowers in spring, fruit in summer, and bright leaves in fall.

The areas of our grounds that are covered in golden ragwort increase every year. It is a wonderful but aggressive evergreen ground cover.

Violets are often under-appreciated, but their spring flowers delight and they are host plant for several butterflies.

While not native to Maryland, the celandine poppy is native to other parts of eastern US.

April is also the peak blooming month for the many red bud trees on our grounds.

There is a small area in the very back of our property where you can find several star chickweed plants.

Woodland phlox are new to our grounds this year. They are common in the local Potomac floodplain.

Golden Alexanders are on the Maryland Watch List (S3 Vulnerable) in the wild but it grows well in garden. I’ve seen it locally in sandy areas by the Potomac.

The red chokeberry along the front path are just starting to bloom.

I hope you can join me for a wildflower walk some Sunday!

Joe