The Secret to Spring Blooms at Drumlin Farm

As the winter cold melts away and the days get longer, signs of spring are popping up all over the sanctuary. Explore Drumlin Farm’s extensive trails, meandering through forests and fields, to search for wildflowers. Not sure where to look? Here’s your guide to the sanctuary’s spring blooms. 

Fragrant Ornamentals on Entry Hill

Before you head into the sanctuary, stop by the Mass Audubon shop to admire the Wild Ginger and Mayapple, as well as a cluster of nodding pink Fringed Bleeding Hearts. 

Then, check in at the visitor center and head into the sanctuary. As you walk down the path, the sweet smell of flowering trees and shrubs wafts up to greet you. Witch Hazel’s yellow spindly flowers are the earliest bloomers—get in close to enjoy their subtle aroma. 

Continuing down, look for the thicket of native plantings on your left. In early May, the Beach Plum’s fluffy white blossoms and Button Bush’s round puffs make for an ethereal sight.  

Search for Spring Ephemerals on the Ice Pond Trail 

Early in the season, spring ephemerals emerge for only a few weeks, bringing the first pops of color to this short, accessible trail. The path starts by the Mass Audubon Shop and connects to the Drumlin Loop. 

In early to mid-April, a few Trout Lilies dot the ground with their delicate yellow blooms and spotted foliage. Wood Poppies also grow in thick clusters, adding splashes of vibrant yellow. Later in the month, Virginia Bluebells’ bright pink buds open to reveal blue bell-shaped flowers that attract butterflies, long-tongued bees, and even hummingbirds. Several native trees and shrubs like Serviceberry, White Fringetree, and chokeberries also surround the pond. 

Woodland Blooms Galore on the Drumlin Loop 

From the Ice Pond Trail, split off onto the ½-mile Drumlin Loop or the ¼-mile Beeline Trail. Early in the season, you can’t miss the red and yellow clusters of flowers decorating Silver Maple trees. Lush ferns also grow in abundance here, fed by the moisture of the nearby ponds. 

In May, green and maroon-striped Jack-in-the-Pulpits hide under the umbrella of their three leaves. The pink blossoms of Herb Roberts and Wild Geraniums delight amongst the dense greenery, and white whisps of Creeping Foamflower stand at attention. 

Take the Farm Loop for Garden Greenery 

As you head past Bird Hill to the farmyard, look carefully at the ground for pure white flowers and distinct foliage. Bloodroot is one of the first spring ephemerals of the season to bloom in late March and early April.  

The native plant garden in front of the Farm Life Center is a hotbed of activity for bees and other pollinators. Stop by the Learning Garden as well for native blooms like Wild Bergamot and check out what’s growing in the garden beds—vegetable seedlings will soon make their way out of the greenhouse and into the soil. 

As you make your way around the accessible Farm Loop trail, stop to admire Forsythias next to the Red Barn. A few clusters of Creeping Phlox are also scattered around the trail, though you have to look carefully to find them amongst their look-alikes, Dame’s Rocket.

Blossoms Thrive Amongst the Pines on the Forest Discovery Trail 

Split off from the Farmyard Loop onto the 1/3-mile Forest Discovery Trail. Deep in the red pine forest, Pink Lady’s Slippers blanket the ground in May. These delicate flowers grow slowly and rarely survive when transplanted, so leave them to thrive right where they are.   

In April, vibrant yellow Wood Poppies grow in clusters on the entrance to the trail. Greater Celandine, its non-native look-alike, also grows around here, so check to see if you can spot the difference using identification apps like iNaturalist or Seek.  

Look for the magenta blooms that cluster on the bare branches of the Eastern Redbud tree, as well as clusters of the subtle white Northern Starflower and Canada Mayflower blanketing the forest floor. 

Start your Spring Exploration 

Ready to go on your very own scavenger hunt for these spring beauties? Check out our trail map and plan your route around the sanctuary