Hummers have arrived at my house between the 12th and 18th of April for the past three years. The flora is expanding even faster than the fauna. The woods, meadows and roadsides are brimming with added color every day. In some areas trout lily and bloodroot have come and gone, but some higher and shadier sites are just reaching their prime. Trilliums are also coming into their own.
Several species including cuneatum, erectum and grandiflorum are in bloom.
Often hidden beneath the leaf litter, the beautiful, delicate and wonderfully scented white flowers of trailing arbutus are presently in bloom. Also in bloom now and likely covered by leaf litter are the small maroon to brown fleshy flowers of wild ginger. Look for the two large kidney-shaped leaves a few inches above the ground. The flower is found at ground level, at the base of these leaves. Various species of purple, yellow and white violets are blooming.