Trillium Trail Walks—April 2026
Two enjoyable—albeit damp—spring walks
Our wildflower walks in Powder Mill Park on April 28 were interesting and different; the TrilliumTrail had no trilliums, but was a beautiful and easy trail along the woods, not very flowery, but with so much to see and learn about. Did you know that if you leave up last year’s milkweed stalks, Baltimore orioles will shred the stems and use the fibers for nest-building? The skunk cabbage along the trail were magnificent, there were tiny pussy-toes (who knew they are dioecious, or even what dioecious means?), marsh marigold, some very gnarly musclewood trees, hepatica, rue-anemone, early saxifrage, wintergreen, mushrooms that were either morels or false morels, and more - even the rare trailing arbutus. All were plants we haven’t seen on spring walks in other places. The morning walk ended up being rained on at the end, but the afternoon walk lucked out and mostly avoided getting wet. It was the perfect spring day, with major thanks to the Southbys for taking our members out twice on a rainy day and providing such interesting and knowledgeable leadership.
Photos contributed by Nita Beck, Judy Hubbard, Corinne Martin, and Jeff Schuetz. Thank you!
Update! Second walk added
Because of the high interest in the Trillium Trail walk on April 28, Carol and David Southby have kindly added an afternoon session, from 1:30 to 3:30pm.
There are just a very few spots still available in both the morning and afternoon walks. If you’re interested in attending, email us at flowercitygardennetwork@gmail.com. Please state which session you are interested in, or whether either one would suit.
This event is for members only and only by prior registration.
Original announcement
Join Flower City Garden Network’s spring wildflower walk at Trillium Trail, Powder Mill Park in Pittsford. We will go Tuesday, April 28, from 10 am-12 noon, with guides Carol and David Southby. This members-only event is inspired by Sarah Sutton’s talk at this year’s Seed and Houseplant Swap held on February 21.
The Trillium Trail is a lovely level trail that goes between a wetland on one side and a steeply sloping wooded hillside on the other, giving us two very different habitats alongside of the trail. Among the many plants we will look for are two of our earliest blooming woodland flowers, namely trailing arbutus and skunk cabbage, neither of which we have seen on our previous spring walks. This trail is easy and short, although narrow, and will probably be muddy in spots, so plan to wear waterproof hiking boots, or shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. There are obstacles like tree roots that have to be negotiated, so hiking poles would be helpful too.
Strictly limited to 25, members only. Registration is required. Email us at flowercitygardennetwork@gmail.com.
Photos contributed by Dave Southby