April Flowers

 Here at the end of April, we have a beautiful assortment of native wildflowers to share.

 

The oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) shrub is full of large flower clusters.

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) panicle

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)

Two catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) trees grow near the Fitness Center. Be sure to look up to find the large flower clusters. Individual flowers are scattered in the grass, too.

Around the trunk of this dead eastern red cedar, you can find foxglove, strawberry bush and maypop flowers.

Foxglove Beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis)

  

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

Ants were busy working the pollen of the strawberry bush.

Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)

There isn't just one flower on the mapop vine. Note the flower buds on the verge of opening.

Beetles were congregating on the maypop flowers.

 

Spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.)

 

Spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.)

  

 

Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

 

Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)

Lizard tail (Saururus cernuus) and flowering magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) are also flowering right now, and they will continue on into the month of May.

What's in Bloom?

Spring, she is in full force. The red buckeyes (Aesculus pavia) have been blooming for over a month. Magnolias are just getting started.

The arboretum's fetter-bush (Agarista populifolia) is secluded; you will find it in an out-of-the-way location.

The red buckeyes (Aesculus pavia) continue to shine.

The oak-leaf hydrangea bush (Hydrangea quercifolia) is producing many large white flowers.

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) smells divine. This non-native plant volunteered its way into the arboretum. It remains confined to a French mulberry tree at this time.

The sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is very fragrant.

Sweet bay magnolia interior

 The delicate pink color of the Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) has unfortunately been washed out in this photo. Stop to smell the roses and see it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

The flowers of the eastern prickly-pear (Opuntia humifusa), while impressive, do not last long. Try to catch them at their best.