Bull Run Regional Park - Chantilly, Virginia


 
Abbie, a dear person and fellow Master Gardener emailed me a link regarding the Virginia Bluebells at Bull Run Park.  I had planned year after year to make the time to go but somehow never managed to do so.  Inspired by the email I decided this year I was definitely going to see the spectacular display first hand that I heard so much about. I hopped into my car and 25 minutes later I was awestruck!

Alongside Bull Run Creek were hundreds of Virginia Bluebell plants. No one else was around for  most of the one and half hours I spent admiring and taking pictures.  I can't explain how captivating it all was.

The bluebells with their tight pink buds that gradually turn lavender and finally open to wonderful blue nodding bells seemed to pose for me.  I may have actually been there the day they peaked... there was a sea of blue everywhere along the bank.  Spring beauties, another of my favorite native flowers, pictured below to the right, were also in full bloom with their sweet short white flowers tinged in pink.  A handful of yellow and purple violets completed the charming scene.

Amid all the hundreds of bluebells, I saw one white bluebell -- whitebell?  I hadn't even realized white ones existed.  I have to admit for one brief moment I coveted that lovely white specimen for my white woodland garden but I never really gave it a serious thought. Not only would it have been illegal; not only would I have risked killing it; but more importantly I would have destroyed something quite magical.

 As silly as it might sound, I felt as though that lone plant, nestled between hundreds of it more colorful neighbors, was showing itself to me as a special treat.  I wondered how many people had noticed it quietly blending in.  

While I sat there contemplating, I made a decision I would come back and check on that white beauty... maybe even make it an annual event.

Thanks Abbie for that motivating email!  Maybe next year you'll make the trek with me...

(PS - these pictures don't even come close to presenting how incredible this display really is)