Our islands of daffodils along the main drive and on Sycamore Hill are still looking beautiful. Each drift is a single heirloom variety, maintained as Mr. du Pont laid it out, with irregular borders and closely planted clumps.

Conservatory Lawn near the museum is still frosted with the white flowers of spring beauty (Claytonia virginica). A native wildflower, Claytonia self-sows to create drifts of pinkish white flowers. These drifts expand each year as long as you allow the plants to flower, fade, and reseed themselves.

I suppose magnolias, bluebells, trillium, and windflower should also be included in my catalog of things to see this weekend. I hope you’ll visit the garden yourself and make your own list of experiences “not to be missed.”

Join us on April 23 for our Wednesdays at Winterthur (W@W) garden series. Today Susan Sibley, Winterthur horticulturist, will highlight spring ephemerals such as Claytonia virginica (spring beauty), Anemone apennina (Italian windflower), Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells), and Sanguinaria Canadensis (bloodroot).

Meet at 11:30 am at the Greenhouse Area. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes! The program lasts approximately one hour. No reservations necessary. Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

More information about Wednesdays at Winterthur can be found on our homepage.