Carkeek Park — Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

SnowDrop Trail In Carkeek Park, in north Seattle thousands of little white Snowdrops bloom in February each year. To see them drive into the park and leave your vehicle in the little lot near the sewage plant. Head east on the Pipers Creek trail to the old orchard. Just before the orchard, on the left, look for a tiny creek. Walk up this little creek shore 50 feet or so and you will come to the Snowdrop garden. I’m sure a few bulbs were planted by someone in the Piper family when this part of the park was their farm homestead. Over almost 100 years they have multiplied. I doubt you will find any other garden in Seattle with such a good display. This area has re-naturalized since the farmers left and just looks like a jumble of bushes and average undergrowth in the summer. Only now when leaves are down and branches are bare do the snowdrops show us that spring is on the way. Galanthus Nivalus is the latin species name. It's a little bulb that only grows 6 inches high. Works well in a woodland setting. Robert Michelson