Bloom and autumn color compass
Autumn colors

Outside the fall season

In winter, spring and summer, the forest shows other facets of its beauty: from the bare branches in winter to the delicate, fresh green of spring to the dense, shady canopy of leaves in summer. Each season shapes the beech forest in its own way and creates space for quiet, natural relaxation. Discover the changing impressions of nature and enjoy the peace that the forest radiates during these phases!

Spring snowflake

Dormant phase of the spring snowflake

Outside of their blooming season, the spring snowflakes remain in a quiet dormant phase. Deep in the soil, the bulbs lie dormant, storing energy for the next spring. From the surface, nothing is visible, but beneath, the plants are preparing for their next phase of flowering, when they will once agian herald spring with their delicate white blooms. A hidden cycle that becomes visible in its full beauty for a brief time year after year in Hainich.

Liverwort

Withering of old leaves and unfolding of new leaves

As the flowers fade in spring, the old leaves of the previous year gradually retreat and wither. At the same time, fresh, bright green leaves sprout from the ground. These new leaves remains throughout summer, autumn and winter, storing nutrients and protecting the plant until next spring.

Wood anemone

The dormant phase of the wood anemone

During the summer, autumn and winter, the wood anemone is completely hidden in the ground. The above-ground parts are withered and are no longer visible, but the plant rests in form of rhizomes in the soil. There it stores energy to sprout again the following spring, transforming the forest once more into a sea of white blossoms.

Corydalis

Dormant phase of the corydalis

For the rest of the year, the corydalis remains in its dormant phase. The tubers rest deep in the soil, invisible and protected from external influences. During this time, the plant stores energy for the following year, when it will once again welcome spring with fresh greenery and colourful blooms.

Wild garlic

Dormant phase of wild garlic

In summer, autumn and winter, wild garlic rests deep in the soil. The bulbs gather strength and energy for the next spring, protected from outside influences. The forest shows no sign of the sea of green leaves and white blossoms of wild garlic, yet the plant is ready to awake once more and herald the spring with its fresh green and pungent scent. A hidden cycle that returns year after year.