What is blooming in Liberty Park: Spring
Liberty Park, the one-acre elevated park at WTC, is home to over 20 pollinator plants. Every season, there are several plants that bloom and bring an array of different plants to enjoy whenever you visit year-round. Each plant plays a role in supporting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that live in the park.
Here are a few highlights of what is currently in bloom (or will be) this spring:
Sterntaler Tickseed adds brightness from late spring to summer with its yellow flowers. It's one of the first flowers in the bed to bloom each year. This plant grows naturally in open places like woodlands, meadows, and prairies, but it can spread quickly and become a bit weedy.
Catmint has one of the longest blooming periods, stretching from late spring all the way to autumn. Its purple flowers stay vibrant through much of the warmer months.
Canadian Wild Ginger brings early color with blooms in shades of red, green, purple, and brown. Its roots have a strong scent similar to ginger, and when cooked with sugar, can serve as a substitute in recipes.
Dutchman’s Breeches has delicate white and yellow flowers. These spring ephemerals have a unique look and are pollinated mostly by bumblebees. The plant can cause minor skin irritation if touched and is toxic if eaten in large amounts.
Golden Alexanders bloom in spring with bright flowers that attract bees.
Virginia Spiderwort starts blooming in late spring and continues into summer. Its purple flowers only open in the morning and last a single day before wilting into a jelly-like substance.
Wild Geranium takes over in spring to early summer with soft, pinkish-purple blooms.
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to bloom in the year, appearing in late winter to early spring. Its small, white blossoms are a hopeful sign of spring’s arrival.
Stay tuned for the following blog posts in the summer about the next seasonal plants in bloom!
