Wildflower season is upon us!

By Pat Loomis

It begins in late winter and you spy your first buttercup!  This sighting is a source of joy as other harbingers of spring are already visible: the geese are pairing off and the trees are full of returning robins joyous in their noisy calls.

The progression of wildflowers is soon to follow. The spikey green shoots that soon bear purple Grass Widow flowers, Yellowbells, white and pink Phlox, Trumpet Bluebells, Shooting Stars, Yarrow, the list is endless!  So many colorful wildflowers begin to carpet our area.  These spring ephemerals (lasting for a very short time) last from about March through August. I always love the profusion of Arrowleaf Balsamroot that seem to carpet the Eastern Washington landscape interspersed with purple Lupines with numerous other wildflowers nestled in between .

A great source for hiking and wildflower viewing is the Washington Trails Association. You can subscribe online to receive their newsletter concerning up to date hiking areas around Washington with information on great areas to see wildflowers.

Click this link for another excellent resource on wildflowers. This site contains pictures of wildflowers, when they typically bloom, plus additional information about each flower.

MY final resource recommendation is Northwest Wildflowers. This site features the blooming status of wildflowers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

It is time to get outside and enjoy our beautiful wildflowers as they begin to bloom.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change”

Buddha

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We would love to see pictures of wildflowers you find this season! Tag @inlandnwland on Instagram and/or Facebook with your photos : )

New to plant and animal ID and want to learn more? Check out our Field Guide to the Little Spokane River Available for purchase on our website.

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