Petworth blooms again as Spring rains bring colors to our neighborhoods
/If you’ve found yourself walking around our beautiful neighborhood admiring the flowers and wondering what you’re looking at, we’re here to help. Welcome to "Petworth Blooming,” a popular series featuring some of the most common plants and flowers seen around Petworth. Follow and support Steve at PetworthBlooms.org and see more photos at @petworthblooms on Instagram.
Spring has sprung and Petworth Blooming returns!
Spring has officially arrived for us in the northern hemisphere, and so have the spring flowers. As usually, daffodils are the first big display of flowers you’ll see in the neighborhood. These easy to grow bulbs come in various shades of white, yellow and orange.
White daffodils on Randolph Street NW
Solid yellow daffodils in front of Roosevelt High School (13th & Upshur Streets NW)
Mixed color daffodils at the Paul Robeson Park (Georgia & Kansas)
Another bulb that’s just starting to flower now is Grape Hyacinth. This little spring bulb will slowly form clumps and is short enough that it can often survive in a lawn. The grass-like leaves will come up over the winter, and the flowers emerge in late March or April
Grape Hyacinth in Grant Circle with daffodils in the background
Regular Hyacinths are much larger than their grape hyacinth relatives. These bulbs are very fragrant with very showy flowers. They’ve been bred to have such large flower stalks that they often struggle to support their own weight and need staking.
Blue Hyacinths on Varnum Street NW
Pink Hyacinths on Randolph Street NW
Lenten Roses aka Hellebores are not closely related to roses at all, but they do flower around Lent, depending on your latitude. These plants have dark glossy leaves which hold on through winter. The flowers start opening downward, but slowly tilt more upwards.
Lenten Rose on Taylor Street NW
There are several Magnolias blooming right now. The spring blooming ones are all Asian in origin and have been widely hybridized. Common names include Saucer, Star, and Jane Magnolias
Purple hybrid magnolia at St Gabriel’s Church
White Star Magnolia at the Petworth Rec Center
Pink Saucer Magnolia on Varnum Street NW
The common dandelion is starting to pop-up in yards around the neighborhood. This edible weed can be used in salads or as tea, and its fluffy seed heads provide great entertainment to toddlers. It grows a sturdy tap root which also helps to break up compacted soils.
Dandelions on 9th Street NW
It’s still a little early for Creeping Phlox, but a few plants have gone for a quick start this year. Look out for more waterfalls of color flowing over retaining walls in the next few weeks.
Creeping phlox on Randolph Street NW
So what's blooming next in Petworth? We’ll talk about that next time!
Donate!
If you like the flowers at the small pocket parks and Circles in our neighborhood, you have Steven to thank! Consider donating to PetworthBlooms, and help Steven expand, diversify and maintain our gardens throughout the neighborhood.
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