By Paul G. Wiegman
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Western Pennsylvania has two distinct wildflower seasons.The first is from early April through the end of May. That is when spring wildflowers adorn the woodland floors of secluded valleys, and we all shake off the drabness of winter and revel in vernal sun. Spring plants take advantage of the new warmth, abundant moisture and abundance of light on the forest floor before the trees come into full leaf.
The second wildflower season commences in early August and runs through late September just before the vivid colors of fall take center stage. That is when a whole new array of species comes into bloom. These plants show their wares along forest edges and in open fields, where there has been plenty of sunlight allowing them to grow and flourish through the summer. full story
