Touring Wildflower Island

If you've been on Teatown's Lakeside Trail then you may have noticed the ornate wrought-iron gates leading to a small wooden bridge and Island path. The path brings you to the quiet beauty of Wildflower Island, a two-acre refuge within the greater Teatown preserve. This unique sanctuary is home to over 230 native and endangered species of wildflowers. On Saturday, April 14, Wildflower Island opens for the season and visitors have the chance to enjoy a tour. Recently, I sat down with Leah Waybright Kennell, Wildflower Island Curator, to talk about the much-awaited reopening of the Island.

What is Wildflower Island?

Wildflower Island is a native and protected plant sanctuary within Teatown Lake Reservation. With limited exposure to invasive plants and destructive deer, it is a sheltered though fragile environment.

What's the best time of year to visit?

As each season is different, it is wonderful for viewing native plants at any time the Island is open.  A peak time is late April and throughout May for the chance to see spring ephemeral plants and the magical Pink-lady's-slipper orchids.  The fern trail is lovely during June and late July and in early August a second "high-season" or peak features aquatic plants and showy displays of summer flowers en mass. September is special for the interesting fruits and seed pods that the flowers produce.  Mushrooms, mosses, lichens and lycopods (club mosses) are always abundant.

What are some of the more unusual plants on the Island?

The orchids are quite rare. The ferns are a marvelous collection all on a single trail, as well as naturally occurring all over the Island.  The Aronia trees are being touted as the future super fruit, higher than most in antioxidants and easy to grow without pesticides. The Oconee bells (blooming now) had disappeared from the search of botanists for approximately 100 years as their range is so small in the Eastern U.S.

Are the plants native?

Most of the plants are native, but others have "naturalized" from western prairies, such as Black-eyed Susans, which have come to be considered "wildflowers."  The southern Oconee bells are established and protected on the Island and provide an exceptional educational experience when their rarity is disclosed since their indigenous habitat has been virtually lost to development.

Can I visit the Island on my own?

Even though visitors receive a weekly bloom list corresponding to a numbered map, the Island is shared through guided tours only and a reservation is encouraged so that the tour will indeed run.

Who are the guides?

Tours are given by experienced and knowledgable volunteer guides that have trained for an entire season to learn the plants and the stories that give meaning to their names and historical value.

When are the tours?

Tours are offered on Saturdays at 10:30am and 1:30pm, and on Sundays at 1:30pm. The Island opens for the season on Saturday, April 14 and closes Sunday, September 30.

Do I need to register?

Yes, preregistration is required. Private tours, on weekdays, for groups of eight or more can be arranged. Please call (914) 762-2912 ext. 110 to make a reservation.

What is the cost of the tour?

Admission is with guided tour only.
$4.00 - Teatown Members 
$6.00 - Non-Members 
Admission is free to Friends of Wildflower Island. 
Please note children under 12 are not permitted on the Island.

Are there any special event days? 

Yes, on Saturday, May 12 during the Annual Plant Sale, continuous tours will be given every hour from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

On Garden Conservancy Open Day, Sunday, May 20, tours will be available without pre-registration from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. A special NGC admission of $5.00 applies.

For more information on Wildflower Island, please visit www.teatown.org/vi/wildflower_island.htm or call 914-762-2912 x110.