April Woodland and Prairie Wildflower Wonders

“You belong among the wildflowers… .” Tom Petty

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April’s full moon is sometimes known as the “pink moon,” and it will be in full phase tonight. The Farmer’s Almanac tells us the nickname is from spring flowers, rather than the color of the moon itself. It’s also known, the Almanac says, as the “Sprouting Grass Moon,” “Moon of the Big Leaves,” and “Breaking Ice Moon.”

Almost full “pink” moon, Glen Ellyn, IL. (Cell phone photo)

Pink, you say? Yes, there’s plenty of pink in the woodlands and prairies right now. Let’s go take a look.

Over there—the prairie’s first shooting star in bloom.

Shooting star (Primula meadia), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Soon there will be constellations of pink.

Shooting star (Primula meadia), Beach Cemetery Prairie, Ogle County, IL. (2022).

So much pink.

Shooting star (Primula meadia), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL (2018).

And! The prairie smoke wildflowers continue to delight. No signs of that thready “smoke” yet.

Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Carpets of spring beauties are everywhere in the woodlands and savannas, both in bud…

Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica), The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

…and in bloom.

Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica), The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Of course, it’s not just about the pink. What about a deep burgundy?

Prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum), The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

Palest blue?

Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans), Schulenberg Prairie, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. (2019).

Or rich yellow?

Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum), Plainfield, IN. (2023)

Or even that strange yellowish-green of blue cohosh?

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.

From the largest wildflowers…

Large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. (2016)

…to the tiniest… .

Harbinger of spring (Erigenia bulbosa), Schulenberg Prairie Savanna, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. (2018).

…the prairies and woodlands are full of fleeting delights as April begins to wane. If you blink, you’ll miss them. There’s no time like the present to get out and see what’s in bloom. Tomorrow may be too late.

Why not go see?

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The opening quote is from musician Tom Petty (1950-2017), a singer, guitarist and songwriter, from his song “Wildflowers” from an album of the same name (1994). He was a member of the Traveling Wilburys in the 1980s, and the rock group Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976-2017). Petty was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

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Join Cindy for a program or class this spring!

Wednesday, April 24, 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. —“Illinois’ Wild and Wonderful Early Bloomers,” presented by the Naperville Garden Club. Naperville Municipal Center, Naperville, IL. For more information about access to this event for non-members, visit the club’s website here.

Saturday, April 27, 9-11 a.m.—“Spring Wildflower and Ethnobotany Walk,” The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. To register, click here. (One spot left). (Weather dependent)

Thursday, May 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.–“Spring Wildflower and Ethnobotany Walk,” The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL (prairie and woodland). Register here. (Weather dependent)

Tuesday, May 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.--“Dragonflies and Damselflies: The Garden’s Frequent Fliers,” presented by the Joliet Garden Club, Barber and Oberwortmann Horticulture Center, 227 North Gougar Rd., Joliet, inside the main greenhouse. Open to the public.

See more programs and events at cindycrosby.com.