Nantucket in Full Bloom

A Photo Gallery by Bill Hoenk

Spring is a joyous time. It’s wonderful to see gardens and flower boxes transform this time of year—and now that we’re approaching the end of May, it seems that every day something new is emerging.

Take a stroll anywhere on the island and you’re sure to come across daffodils. Whether arranged in pots beside store entryways or displayed in window boxes outside homes or planted along roadsides, daffodils are everywhere this time of year. After a long winter, they add a touch of color to early spring days when other plants are still quiet. Daffodils, also known by their botanical name narcissus, are easy and reliable spring flowers. They multiply quickly and return to bloom again each spring, year after year. They are not fussy about soil, will grow in sun or part shade, and are not bothered by deer or rabbits, and other pesky critters. The daffodil’s popularity has resulted in the production of many varieties; in addition to the classic yellow form, the trumpet and petals may themselves be of contrasting yellow, white, pink, or orange.

Cherry blossom trees are similarly abundant across the island. They bloom in several shades. Many, like those on Nantucket, are light pink, while others have darker pink flowers or white flowers. Some have yellow-green or white-green blooms that turn pink as they age. The cherry blossom season, like the daffodil season, is relatively short. There may be two to three weeks between the opening of the first blossom and the shedding of the petals, but strong wind and rain can reduce the blooming season even shorter.

We have reached that transitional stage in spring when these early bloomers—the daffodils and the cherry blossoms, as well as the crocuses, the snowdrops, and the tulips—are nearing the end of their seasonal cycles. But spring is the season of continued growth and renewal, and with cherry blossoms and daffodils on their way out, we are now seeing a multitude of other flowers begin to sprout from the ground.