Every year I seem to encounter new species of plants I’ve never seen or, perhaps, have never noticed before, particularly in the spring. If one is lucky enough to encounter the very beginnings of plants and flowers when first emerging from their winter hibernation, magnificent spectacles are to behold. It’s a time for awe and wonder.

Take, for instance, Winterhazel—a mediocre leafy shrub. But just look at the show of yellow blooms it produces in the early spring!

Here’s something I’ve never personally seen before…Bigleaf Maple Tree blooms!

Here’s a botanical denizen of the woodland…the Asian Mayapple. It’s interesting to watch them sprout in their early stage before their large, glistening leaves unfurl. They look a bit like umbrellas!

Here is more woodland flora: young ferns and Trout Lilies.

I’ve never happened to notice these orange, fuzz covered flower buds of a Magnolia tree species. Really fascinating…and colorful!

Here’s an interesting looking bloom of an Illicium species, sometimes called Star Anise.

I’ll end my post with a couple of colorful, spring flowers. The first is a Peony species coming into bloom. And the second is…you guessed it…a Daffodil, with a little visitor.

All images property of Peggy A Thompson