The tiny, hot pink Deptford Pink wildflowers are blooming all along the trails at Fort Hill. I’ve never seen so many!
One interesting fact that I learned while doing a bit of research: The name ‘Deptford Pink’ refers to the town of Deptford, England where the plant once grew in abundance.
Such a pretty, delicate wildflower… have you seen any yet this year?
The Milkweed is blooming and everywhere at Fort Hill but where are the Monarch butterflies? I was so excited to see two of them a few weeks ago, but have not seen any since. Hmmm…. Where did they go? (Click on blog link for other photos.)
Does anyone have any idea why there aren’t any Monarchs at Fort Hill?
Look at all of the Milkweed growing all through the fields at Fort Hill!
The Scarlet Pimpernel growing on the sides of the trail at Fort Hill are absolutely stunning this year! (Click on blog link for other photo.)
I have seen a few of them over the years at Fort Hill, but only small, little clumps of them with 2-3 flowers. As you can see in the 2nd photograph, this was a pretty big bush of them.
Two interesting facts that I Iearned: 1. “The Scarlet Pimpernel flowers open only when the sun shines, and even close in overcast conditions.” 2. “If consumed, it can be toxic to livestock and humans. Toxicity level ranges from virtually nontoxic to fatally toxic and appears to correlate with summer rainfall levels.”
Have you seen the Scarlet Pimpernel at Fort Hill?
We were driving down the road when I saw a flash of white in the grass by the side of the road. I told Phil to stop the car and I ran out … was I in for a treat for there was a “bouquet” of Star of Bethlehem wildflowers growing in the middle of the grass. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
The “Star of Bethlehem is a winter bulb belonging to the Lily family, and blooms in late spring or early summer.” You can see the “star” in the center of the flower in the 2nd photograph.
Have you ever seen this delicate little flower?
