A Website about Urban Environmental Restoration in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Today I saw the first bloom of the Mayapple here in West Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, near the Recycling Center on the bike trail leading to the Strawberry Mansion Bridge.
It is a bit later this year than years in the recent past. The Trout Lilies that were in full bloom last week on the Boxers Trail? Just like that in a flash: Boom! Totally not blooming anymore. Spring is moving along at a fast clip!
Our backyard Mayapples are finally blooming! Most of the ones in the Fairmount Park forests behind our house are finished blooming.
These Mayapples are cultivated and sourced from a native plant nursery that specializes in shade plants. They last throughout the season and can be used for decorative landscaping as opposed to the local populations here that only last into June.
Today, April 11, 2023 on a late afternoon walk. We lamented on how quickly the spring ephemerals will wither away. Seeing them so vibrant and fresh is almost heartbreaking knowing that they will be gone so soon.
