Chimes Tower District

Mertensia virginica is native to the woodlands of the eastern United States, particularly in the Appalachian and Ozark regions. It’s often found in moist, shady areas along streams or in deciduous forests.  The vibrant blue bell-shaped flowers start as pink buds and gradually turn to a striking blue as they mature. This color transition is a unique feature that adds even more interest to this early blooming ephemeral. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, which are drawn to the sweet nectar. The plant’s blossoms are especially favored by the fritillary butterfly, which often lays its eggs on the plant.

Cercis canadensis is native to eastern North America, ranging from the Midwest to the southeastern United States. One of the most notable features of the eastern redbud is its vibrant pink to purple flowers that bloom in early spring, before the leaves appear. Flowers grow directly on the branches and the trunk, which is called cauliflory. Redbuds are a great tree for attracting wildlife. The flowers provide early nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and the tree’s seeds are eaten by various birds.  In Native American folklore, the redbud tree is sometimes seen as a symbol of love and new beginnings due to its bright blossoms signaling the arrival of spring.  Look for the cultivar 'Alba' as you enter Peirce's Woods! 

Bloodroot flowers are fleeting—they bloom for just a few days in early spring.  Each bloom opens in response to sunlight and closes at night or on cloudy days. The flower often withers before the leaves fully unfurl, giving it a kind of "blink-and-you-miss-it" mystique in the woodlands. Bloodroot produces a fatty "snack" or nutrient-rich structure on the seed called an elaiosome, which attracts ants. Ants carry seeds underground, eat the "snack" and leave the seed to grow—a strategy called myrmecochory. The leftover seed gets tossed aside in a waste chamber—a perfect underground spot for germination.