This is my unofficial guide to what you will see and when. Please understand that I'm no expert - I only observe what's blooming around me. For photos of what I've seen, please go to the Foliage Pics page, as well as the Favorite Photos page.

Week of March 18 -

• Along Valley Creek, the willows are showing some buds. Spring has definitely come to the park!

• Along Pawlings Rd. trail, the blue bells are beginning to sprout out of the ground.

End of April -

• On the Pawlings Rd. side of the river trail, you'll see bluebells in full bloom now. It's well worth finding this trail just for the show.

• The may apples will be appearing, but are still a number of weeks from blooming.

• Magnolias are in bloom, but may be starting to fade by now, depending on how warm our spring has been.

• Look for a buttercup-type flower throughout the park. When it's mowed, there is a distinct milky smell to the air.
   
• Crabapples are blooming.

First week of May:

• You should see what's happening here! The red bud trees are sporting their pink flowers (giving off the impression of purple branches) all along Valley Creek.

• Dogwoods are in full bloom right now.  They line the roads along the park.

• Poison ivy is now up and ready to annoy the hell out of everyone. If you run into it, get thee to the Mall (there's an Eckerd drug store there) and buy some Tecnu to get rid of the oils. If you happen to break out, kill it (and I mean kill it) with Zanfel. This stuff is amazing. As a huge sufferer of poison ivy, I'm thrilled to have found this. It takes away the itch and really does cure the rash within a few short days.

Second week of May:

•  Dogwoods are still in bloom.

• The trout lilies are beginning to sprout. No flowers yet, but the plants are nice and green.

Third week of May:

• Ferns are out! They're a little late this year, but they're covering the ground just off the Mount Misery trail.

• Mountain laurel are in full foliage and threatening to bloom (if I haven't already missed them)

• Most of last week's blooms are now history.

First week of June:

• Mountain laurel in bloom! Glorious sight. Especially worth seeing all along the Mt. Misery trail.

• Catalpa is beginning to blossom.

Second week of June:

• Here comes the catalpa in its glory!

• Tulip poplars are dropping blossoms.

Third week of June:

• Poison ivy is everywhere! Watch your step.
• Ferns are covering the cool spots.
• Willow grass makes a beautiful carpet. Look for it along most wooded trails.

Fourth week of June:

• Raspberries are near or at ripeness.
• Blackberries are starting to form.

First week of July:

• Just west of the park next to Valley Forge Texaco, there's a mimosa tree that's in full regalia right now. It's worth a look.
• Oh, the red raspberries! Just beginning to ripen, you might find one or two to eat.

Second week of July:

• Careful of the poison ivy! I'm covered with it right now, so I'll take this chance to warn you again. Watch your step!
• Some really pretty "weeds" in bloom right now. A pretty blue flower, crown vetch (which is horrible to get out of a garden, which exposes the gardener to the poison ivy she's now suffering with) are nice. Daylilies are blooming along Valley Creek.

August:

• You MUST be kidding - it's too hot to go out!
• When it wasn't raining, that is.
• But there were some nice purple grasses that appeared mid-August.

September:

• Gorgeous weather still! You must get out and walk. Think the heat of July without the humidity.
• The grasses in the fields are looking particularly spectacular.
• Here come the hickory nuts and walnuts!

October:

• The first week of October, and we're seeing leaves turning on the maples and some of the locusts and dogwoods. It's still very warm here - think 85 degrees!
• Some leaves beginning to fall. It's been a very dry September, so our fall colors may not be what we'd hoped.