CARPETS OF TRILLIUM IN NORTHPORT

 

I’ve been living in Traverse City for nearly three and a half years and have been searching for a field of trillium like I saw while living in Northport.  I've not yet located such a large patch here, but in the Northport area, there are actually two large hills carpeted with trillium.

 

 The  first site is officially known as Trillium Hill and is on Johnson Road off M-22.  The sign here is of the property owners’ land, which is private, but if you proceed down the hill you’ll see the actual trillium hill.

 

 This Trillium Hill is a heavily wooded hillside that is partly-shaded and borders a wetland area.  That specific habitat type is one reason why it’s difficult to transplant trillium to neighborhoods gardens.

 

 Trillium Hill is actually a series of hills that stretch on for perhaps an eighth of a mile.  It can be pretty dark to photograph in the morning, but in the afternoon, the sun streams through, highlighting the trillium and sending shadows throughout.

 

 Zooming in a bit, I was able to catch close-ups of the densely-populated trillium.

 

 The Great White Trillium is the most common variety.  Its solitary, waxy-white flower will turn pink with age.  

 

 At the base of Trillium Hill is a marshy area and Marsh Marigolds populate that area.  They are as lovely to see as the trillium.

 

 On the way to the second trillium site, I passed by Peterson Park and couldn’t resist popping in for the beautiful view.  The Lake Michigan water sparkled in the sunshine.

 

 This second location for carpets of trillium is on Peterson Park Road across from the goat farm.  It’s a little more open than Trillium Hill, which makes for easier photography.

 

 Since I was here last, someone has cleared a path through the trillium.  While it’s private property, I can imagine what a walk through the trillium would be like.

 

 Which ever trillium hill you favor, it’s worth the spring drive to see these masses of lovely flowers.