#ninebark

Jill Raggett

Physocarpus opulifolius — common ninebark a.k.a. Eastern ninebark a.k.a. Atlantic ninebark

Despite its small size, Valley Falls State Park is a real treasure. Most people who visit the park come for the falls on the Tygart Valley River and completely ignore the beautiful trails. The Rhododendron and Glady Creek Trails wind through some lovely old cove forest anchored by impressive boulder fields smothered in moss. It has that LOTR thing going, especially along some of the more secluded sections of Glady Creek, culminating in an enchanting, multi-tiered waterfall draped in rhododendron. This time of the year, the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) are in bloom (I can't decide which is lovelier) and the fungi and ferns dominate the forest floor, now that the canopy has closed over. The American royal fern (Osmunda spectabilis), which grows in the nooks and crannies of the giant boulders at the edge of the river, is a personal favorite of mine.

Love the autumn color of the ninebark.

Summer flowers blooming in the garden

Ninebark on a sunny day

Color tests and a WIP for a story about a cursed and dethroned queen whose jester followed her into exile. 🌿 I always seem to say this about new ideas but your honor I’m love them...