Catch a Glimpse of Spring Ephemerals During Programs at Adkins Arboretum

_ASR1040 bluebells 4x6x300 2 (267 x 400)Spring beauty, dwarf crested iris, foamflower, Virginia bluebell. First thing in spring, this dazzling diversity of flowers emerges, but many are gone in the blink of an eye. These and many others are spring ephemerals, perennial plants that emerge quickly in spring, flower, fruit, and then die back after a short growth and reproduction phase. Beginning this weekend, Adkins Arboretum will offer three programs for viewing these fleeting and lovely harbingers of spring.

Join a walk to find early spring flowers when Arboretum Science Advisor Mary Travaglini offers Spring Ephemerals—The Fleeting Flowers on Sun., April 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Active as an outdoor educator, landscape architect and ecologist, Travaglini has worked extensively on federal lands and within the private sector, most recently for The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service and the Society for Ecological Restoration. The walk is $15 for Arboretum members, $20 for the general public.

On Wed., April 24, join Lee D’Zmura for Nature Journaling with Spring Ephemerals. Following a brief discussion about these early flowers and techniques to capture their beauty, the class will sketch outdoors and return to the Gallery to compose journal entries. An accomplished artist, D’Zmura earned her certificate in botanical art at Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration and now teaches classes in advanced watercolor at Brookside, in addition to leading art programs across the region. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; registration is $35 for members, $45 for the general public.

In Fleeting Ephemerals, a popular Soup ’n Walk program on Sat., April 27, search for these transitory treasures on a walk led by a docent naturalist. Join a one-hour or two-hour walk to look for spring beauty, Mayapple, dogwood, and many other blooms. Following the walk, enjoy a hearty and delicious lunch followed by a brief talk about the meal’s nutritional value. Copies of recipes are provided. The two-hour walk begins at 10 a.m.; the one-hour walk begins at 11 a.m. Registration is $20 for members, $25 for the general public.

To register for the Arboretum’s spring ephemerals programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410.634.2847, ext. 0.

In photo: Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are among the spring ephemerals visitors can view at Adkins Arboretum. In the coming week, the Arboretum will offer three programs focused on these short-lived harbingers of spring. Photo by Ann Rohlfing.