UPDATE (Monday, February 27, 2023): Due to an impending winter storm, this program has been canceled.

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Many beautiful spring native wildflowers can be found growing in Connecticut’s fields, forests and wetlands. Their appearance is not only a delight for the eyes, but also lifts winter weary spirits from the drabness of our cold months. Naturalists Barbara and Peter Rzasa will provide a presentation highlighting some of their favorite native spring wildflowers at the February 28 meeting of the Garden Club of Newtown, to be held at Cyrenius H. Booth Library at 1 pm.

Many spring flowers are ephemeral, having to emerge early, bloom and produce seed before our overhead trees leaf out. True ephemerals will soon disappear as shade begins to blanket the forest floor.

Spring wildflowers play an important role in nature as they provide food for pollinators such as bumblebees, solitary wasps, and butterflies.

Hepatica, wood anemone, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, trillium, trout lily, lady-slipper, May apple, and wild ginger will all be described. Uncommon flowers such as early saxifrage, pink corydalis, bird’s-foot violet and cuckoo flower will also be highlighted.

Many are easily observed in nature, but many others are elusive and require a bit of searching. Stories and flower folklore of native spring wildflowers will be shared.

Barbara Rzasa is a retired graphic designer who uses her artistic skills to create nature-based watercolor paintings. She has a BS degree in art from Southern Connecticut State University.

Peter Rzasa earned his BS degree in forest chemistry from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Both are nature photographers who provide presentations on trees, plants and wildflowers, with the goal of encouraging people to look more closely at the wonders of our natural world.

Reservations are not required for Garden Club of Newtown programs but additional information is available by contacting Mary Thomas at info@gardenclubnewtownct.org or 203-426-9696.