A Trip To Cleveland's Neverending Daffodil Field Will Make Your Spring Complete
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 03, 2019
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Springtime in Northeast Ohio is truly a remarkable occurrence. Our landscape transitions from one of white and grey to a world of color, engulfing the earth in new life and sunshine. While the natural world is awakening, Clevelanders seem to be waking up, too. We’re eager to get outside and enjoy the splendor of the season, and we’re fortunate to have so many great things to do in our city. One of the most remarkable springtime destinations, you may be surprised to learn, is actually hidden in a local cemetery.
As the icy grip of winter subsides, the campus of Lake View Cemetery slowly comes back to life.
Located on the border of Cleveland and Cleveland Heights is one of the most fantastic cemeteries in Northeast Ohio. Lake View Cemetery dates back to 1869 and provides a permanent resting place for some of Cleveland's greatest residents, including President James A. Garfield.
Though cemeteries are traditionally a place of death and mourning, this gorgeous destination celebrates life in a variety of ways.
From monuments and memorials to horticultural gems that absolutely burst with color in the springtime, the landscape of Lake View Cemetery is truly that of a fairytale. Fantastic pastel hues transform the landscape each spring, adorning the cemetery with blooms that truly seem endless.
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The most magnificent feature of the cemetery to visit in the spring is the aptly-named Daffodil Hill.
Each year, nearly 100,000 daffodil blooms burst through the earth to greet the sunlight of spring. Some additional 2,000 bulbs are planted each year to ensure continual growth year after year.
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Daffodils bloom anywhere from late February through early May, as they respond to the length of days and soil temperature.
Cleveland's Daffodil Hill tends to bloom between late-March and mid-April, so there is no better time to begin planning a visit.
While this dreamy vernal hillside is a popular photo-taking spot each spring, it is only one of several gorgeous spaces in the cemetery that is transformed by springtime.
Perhaps there's a bit of irony to the fact that this cemetery is so lively, or maybe it truly is Heaven on Earth. Either way, there is no other place in Cleveland that's quite so enchanting in the springtime.
Daffodil Hill dazzles alongside magnolia trees, cherry trees, and springtime surprises like tulips and azaleas. The entire landscape is made rich with the presence of brilliant hues and visitors are enchanted by the wonders of this cemetery.
Though points of interest like the Wade Memorial Chapel and James A. Garfield Memorial are certainly worth visiting, some of the most amazing sites in the cemetery are natural spaces.
If you're looking to indulge in the pleasures of springtime, look no further than this gorgeous cemetery in Cleveland.
Pack a picnic lunch, bring a camera, and plan to spend some time exploring the historic grounds of the cemetery. There is much to see across its 285 acres, and you could easily spend the better chunk of a day visiting its most prominent sites.
It’s no wonder so many Clevelanders are enchanted by the landscape of this garden-like cemetery. When will you be visiting this glorious Daffodil Hill?
