A few sunbeams have shown today, illuminating some lovely spring flowers. Don’t let the weather fool you. Spring is here, and it is time to get outside.

The winterhazels (Corylopsis sp.) are in bloom now, their airy yellow flowers evoking the dappled spring sun. Similarly, Rhododendron lutescens catches your eye with its light yellow blooms.

Helwingia japonica is in flower, its strange, tiny flowers opening at the leaf bases. As is common in the Kruckeberg Garden, the subtle beauty of this plant is easily overlooked by hurried observers. It only offers its rewards to those who bother to pay attention.

The native fawn lilies are likely to steal your attention away from their more subtle neighbors. Both the giant fawn lily (Erythronium oreganum) and pink fawn lily (Erythronium revolutum) are in full bloom now, soon to fade and lay dormant for another year. Don’t miss them.