Favorite Wisconsin Wild Spring Flowers
Written by Hudson Flower Shop
I am always assured that sping has spring when I start to see the colors popping throughout the forest floor. There are so many regional gems that make me smile and breathe in the fresh air. Some of my favorite regional gems include:
*The Large White Trillium: a classic Wisconsin woodland indicator that shifts from bright white to a soft pink as the blooms age. I have always known Trillium and a "cow slip". When I drive up north I am constantly searching the forest floor for patches of white blooms that calm my soul. Trilliums grow best in shaded, deciduous woodland habitats that mimic their natural forest floor environment. They thrive in rich, humus-heavy, and well-drained soil that remains moist but not waterlogged, ideally beneath the canopy of trees like sugar maples and beeches.
*Bloodroot: Notable for it symmetrical white petals and bright yellow centers; it petals uniquely close up at night and on cloudy days.These beauties are a bit deceptive. it is okay to briefly brush or touch the bloodroot plant but you should wash you hands immediately afterward. It is best to avoid direct skin contact with the roots and the bright red-orange sap they release, as they contain toxic alkaloids that can cause skin irritation or even chemical burns.
*Virginia Bluebells: Beautiful Bluebells sprout to form beautiful bell shaped blue and pink flowers that grow together and form loose colonies. Because they spread through both underground rhizomes and self-seeding, they will happily multiply in shaded, woodsy areas, but they spread at a manageable pace and are not considered invasive.
*Wild Columbine: Wild Columbine feature distinctive bell like red and yellow spurred flowers that are a magnet for humingbirds. Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) spreads easily, primarily through self-seeding. Individual plants are short-lived perennials, but they continuously drop abundant seeds in the summer, allowing the colony to maintain itself and expand to new spots in the garden. Every year my columbine are one of the first to shine in my hosta garden.
In the upper Midwest we are so blessed to have these native beauties available for our enjoyment every spring. I encourage you to take some time to explore the woods in your area and take a minute to enjoy and perhaps "Smell the flowers". Your heart and soul will thank you!
