As reported a couple of weeks ago, we’ve had a VERY warm winter, with Hepatica and Harbinger of Spring blooming when I visited The Pocket on January 30 – the earliest I’ve ever seen native wildflowers blooming at The Pocket. We finally had some “real winter” in the weeks since then, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited The Pocket today. That cold snap slowed things down, but there is some progress. If your “thing” is to see Harbinger of Spring at peak, or to see the waterfalls with a really good flow, this is a good time to visit The Pocket.

Harbinger-of-Spring – Erigenia bulbosa

As mentioned above Hepatica was blooming in January, but if anything it has regressed a bit with the colder weather. The blossoms that were there were huddled against the weather.

Sharp-lobed Hepatica – Anemone acutiloba

There were a half-dozen or so Star Chickweed plants in blossom. Back in January there was one that was just starting to bud.

Star Chickweed – Stellaria pubera

This is also a good time to check out the leaves of Puttyroot – they show up after the plant blooms, persist through the winter, and are withered by the time the bloom comes again.

Puttyroot Orchid, Adam and Eve – Aplectrum hyemale

And don’t forget that waterfalls at the end of the trail…

Waterfalls at The Pocket on Pigeon Mountain