Each year I don’t get to walk all the trails that I’d like to for one reason or another and sometimes I’m too early or too late to see certain plants blooming. Finding perennial plants that bloom only in the Spring can be tough. Relying on memories of past walks to help locate some flowers doesn’t help too much.
The best idea I have to share about re-finding plants is to take lots of pictures. Sure, take pictures of the flowers, but also take photos of the surrounding area. Photograph plants that are growing nearby and any other memorable landmark. Images of buildings, walkways, big trees, streams and trail markers can help you find your quarry again in future years.
Before setting out on a trail you’ve photographed previously, review the pictures to refresh your memory. Here is an example that I’ll use next year to find these pretty Hepatica plants. Photos taken 21 April 2011.
On the opposite side of the big tree there was a white-flowering hepatica growing in the shade.
To be able to find these posies again next year, I took a photo of the nearby vicinity. That way, I can review the images before coming to this location in future years. It’s a great way to refresh one’s memory!
Take a few pictures of the surrounding area to help you find your special friends again on future woodland walks.
