Wildflowers

Wildflowers are an active, managed part of life here at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter. Our Wildflower Committee’s focused on establishing and maintaining native wildflower habitat, managing invasive species, and educating members so those plantings deliver real benefits for pollinators and local wildlife. We publish identification guides and stewardship articles in the Chapter Newsletter and run seasonal programs for members. These resources explain which plants to look for, what makes certain habitats important, and how to spot and report rare species responsibly.

You can find wildflowers and meadows across the Chapter’s 624 acres:

• Fields. The Farm Committee manages 9 fields (90 acres). The perimeter of many of these fields include natural meadows. For example, the northwest perimeter of Field A2 contains an improved meadow (about 8 acres). It was created after a controlled burn. In addition, pollinator seed mixes are planted in fields: A2-South, B2, B4-South, and C1. Fields A3, A4, and C2 are maintained as natural meadows and mowed once per year.

• Wildflower Meadow. Adjacent to the Chapter House is a 2.5 acre meadow. It’s our designated Monarch Waystation, which  was created in partnership with the Monarch Watch organization. The main plant here is milkweed because Monarchs require that plant to complete their life cycle.

• Woodland Trails. Six miles of trails move through varied habitats and lead to sunny clearings where we plant nectar and host species to benefit native pollinators. Clearing C is a targeted pollinator planting area.

Special habitats: The River Road Shale Barren (West Woods)

The West Woods contains a shale barren — an uncommon habitat with soil and light conditions that support several rare, state-listed species. Notable plants visible on the property include:

• Potato dandelion — a native that can be mistaken for the common dandelion.

• Prickly pear cactus — a native cactus that blooms in late June and appears in sunny shale patches near River Road.

• Pursh’s wild petunia (Ruellia purshiana) — an extremely rare native located in the West Woods (designated S1).