Harbingers of spring
Story by Dee Dee Ellison ❖ Photos by Steven Porterfield
Wild bleeding heart
West Virginia’ s diverse climate creates the perfect environment for wildflowers. Along roadsides, creek banks, forest floors and meadows, nature is awaking to the call of spring.
It’ s the time of year when the days are getting longer, the cold is beginning to subside and the spring rain and snow melt have increased the flow of rivers and streams.
Along roadsides, creek banks, forest floors and meadows, nature is awaking to the call of spring. It’ s the perfect catalyst for the explosion of wildflowers that grow in West Virginia.
West Virginia boasts one of the most diverse environments in the United States. Our climate which is influenced by altitude and location is characterized by the remnants of ancient glacial activity, ever-present fog, high altitude bogs, dry shale barons and a temperate rain forest. This biodiversity fosters the development and growth habit of our ecosystem
12 � SOUTH � SPRING’ 26