Aromatic Sumac
Native shrubs like this Aromatic Sumac are putting on a great color display right now, but the trees really haven’t started. At the PGT you’re most likely to find Aromatic … Continued
Flowering Dogwood
A few of the dogwoods have just started showing good fall color. Most of the trees are still green, but I’m seeing good color in Sumac and Virginia Creeper. To … Continued
Virginia Creeper
If you see bright red leaves on a vine right now it might be Virginia creeper. Unfortunately, a lot of people think it’s poison ivy. Remember, “Leaves of three, let … Continued
Golden Light
If you want to see golden rays of light, head out on a humid morning, when there’s a faint mist in the trees. The sunlight streaming through the leaves will … Continued
First Blush of Fall Color
Dogwoods are one of the best trees for fall color, with leaves turning a brilliant reddish purple. This week I’ve seen just a hint of red in a few leaves. … Continued
Open Woods
The woods are still green, but not much longer. Fall colors should start to appear in a couple weeks. This picture was taken at the PGT along the southern edge … Continued
Reindeer Moss
Reindeer Moss isn’t a moss at all. It’s a lichen that forms a pale blue-grey ground cover over rocky areas. In this picture there’s also some dark green moss. At … Continued
Maidenhair Fern
You can find patches of this elegant fern growing in shady spots near rocky bluffs along Hiller’s Creek.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Fruit
Walking through the woods last week I saw a patch of bright red berries mixed in the underbrush. These are the fruits of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, an ephemeral spring wildflower. Finding these … Continued
Backlit Forest
The word “Prairie” in Prairie Garden Trust can be misleading. Only a third of the 540-acres of the PGT is in prairie, the rest is forested. We have many kinds … Continued