Spring is here according to the calendar and the weather seems to be starting to catch up as well.
There are certainly good and bad things that come with the season change. The warming weather is waking up the ticks and flies are likely not far behind, BUT it’s not all bad. The warming sun is causing the grass to turn green and the spring flowers are starting to pop up.
The pussy willows are bursting open and the buds on the other trees are likely not far behind.
When it comes to spring flowers, there are a number of seasonal blooms that are a bit shy and only appear for a short time.
The spring ephemerals are some of the first wildflowers to search for as the mercury rises. What are they and where should your search? Here is a guide to help you find this early season beauty:
Spring Ephemerals: A Guide to Early Season Wildflowers
One of the sweetest smelling spring flowers has a special connection to our province. Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) is Nova Scotia’s provincial flower, you probably know this low growing sweet scented colourful plant as the mayflower.
Trailing arbutus
Also known as the mayflower, trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) is Nova Scotia’s provincial flower. Its five-petaled pink or white flowers are a cheerful sign of spring that later gives way to a fleshy white fruit enclosed in a hairy capsule. Wide, oval shaped leaves stay on the plant throughout the winter. Trailing arbutus plants form a low mat up to 15 centimetres tall.
This plant is renowned for the sweet fragrance of its flowers and leaves, sometimes compared to jasmine.
Get details on more plants native to Nova Scotia at Nova Scotia’s native plants stir spirits with sweet and salty seaside scents
Now there is another option if you are not into searching for wild beauty, you can always look into creating your own. Take a peek and weather you are going for a hike to look, or trying to create your own wild beauty at home, enjoy and Happy Spring.
