TROSSET WILDFLOWER SANCTUARY
History and development of the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary
Stan and Ruth Trosset lived in Evendale on Glendale-Milford Rd from 1954-1997. Much of their 1.9 acres was native woodland. During the rapid land development of the 60s and 70s, they rescued a great variety of native wildflowers from construction sites and established them successfully in their own woods, where they identified over 200 native plant species. When the Trossets could no longer care for their woods, they donated it to be a wildflower sanctuary and it became associated with Gorman Heritage Farm.
Because the Glendale-Milford Rd property was difficult for the GHF staff to access and maintain, the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary at GHF was established in 2016, where it could be protected and used to show and educate people about the vast native ecology of the area. Most of the plant species growing in a deciduous forest are neither trees nor shrubs. There are a great many native herbaceous plants that live on the forest floor. These woodland wildflowers can spread vegetatively, and they also produce seeds, many of which are dispersed short distances by ants. Spring wildflowers are also an important source of food for early pollinators, which include many species of bees, flies, beetles, and moths. The Trosset’s daughter, Carol has retired back to Cincinnati, where she volunteers at the TWS and is analyzing Ruth’s data and continuing the study of wildflower phenology (timing), and the ways in which it is being affected by climate change.
Cultivating a local, native habitat
Prior to the clear cutting brought on by the arrival of European farmers, southwestern Ohio was a vast deciduous forest, where the flora found inside the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary grew abundantly in their native habitat.
This native ecosystem is now severely threatened by invasive plants brought here from other parts of the world, especially bush honeysuckle, winter creeper, and lesser celandine, as well as the over-abundance of white-tailed deer, which prefer to eat native plants.
The Blooms
Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary has an impressive diversity of spring ephemeral flowers, as well as native summer and fall blooming plants.
Spring ephemerals are one of the first blooming plants in our region, taking advantage of the ample light on the forest floor before even the trees leaf out. These small and precious blooms serve as the first source of food for many early pollinators. Even the ants eat a special fatty coating called an ‘elaiosome’ on many of the seeds and slowly disperse these seeds along the forest floor.
With their natural habitat slowly shrinking, the encroachment of invasive species, and their slow seed dispersal methods, these small blooms need our help more than ever to flourish. By supporting the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary you are helping to preserve these important plants in our community for years to come.
How do I get involved?
As much as possible, the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary is maintained by volunteers, although Gorman Heritage Farm staff assist as needed. Throughout most of the year, there are groups of volunteers who congregate on Wednesdays to work together, to maintain the sanctuary.
If you would like to get involved, please fill out our volunteer form, to get connected!