Peak is still upon us throughout the state with the cooler temperatures and off and on rain keeping wildflowers fresh. No matter where you visit in the Buckeye state, you’re sure to be met with a cascade of wildflowers. We have dozens and dozens of different wildflower species in bloom in all four corners of Ohio right now; however, new species continue to show their faces for the first time this year.
The newest and more anticipated faces are our native orchids! While we do not share where to find these rare and special plants due to poaching, we can report that species like showy orchids, pink lady’s slipper, large yellow lady’s slipper, and spring coralroot are currently blooming in southern Ohio. Other new bloomers include Guyandotte beauty, waterleaf species, large-flowered valerian, mayapple, creeping phlox, green dragon, golden alexanders, Miami mist, and violet wood sorrel.
PRESERVE FEATURE
This week we’re moving up to northeast Ohio and featuring Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in Portage Co. At 516 acres in size and 3 miles of hiking trails available, this gem has one of the best wildflower shows in the region. Preserve manager Adam Wohlever reports 30+ native wildflower species currently in bloom. The cool spring has allowed a good mixing of species that one doesn’t see every spring. Some of the highlights to keep an eye out for at Eagle Creek include trilliums such as red and large-flowered, dwarf ginseng, Canada mayflower, foamflower, sessile bellwort, numerous violets, wood anemone, wild geranium, and hispid buttercup. The explosion of trilliums in spots is especially impressive. The preserve protects a variety of habitat types from bottomland forests to sphagnum bogs.
SOUTHERN OHIO
Spring’s second wave is in full swing with wildflowers like dwarf crested iris, wild columbine, shooting-star, wild hyacinth, pennywort, dwarf larkspur, scarlet paintbrush, showy orchis, lady’s slippers, yellow mandarin, foamflower, ragworts, violets and so much more! It’s not just herbaceous wildflowers but our trees and shrubs too that are worth your attention. Flowering dogwood, wild plums, tuliptree and even the uncommon crossvine is blooming. Now is the time to experience peak wildflower action in this region. We recommend sites such as Whipple, Miller, Davis Memorial, Shoemaker, Scioto Brush Creek, Lake Katharine, Halls Creek, Caesar Creek Gorge, and Desonier state nature preserves throughout this region. Additionally, Shawnee state forest, East Fork State Park, Strouds Run State Park, and Tar Hollow State Forest all have exciting displays.
CENTRAL OHIO
Central Ohio is swimming in blooms, too! Dozens of species that have been mentioned in past reports continue to hang around due to the weather like Virginia bluebells, marsh marigolds, and our trilliums. Other species like wild stonecrop, lyre-leaved sage, wild geranium, spring cress, Solomon’s seal, wild ginger, mayapple, and golden Alexanders are starting. Suggested sites in the central Ohio region include Blackhand Gorge, Clifton Gorge, Conkles Hollow, Boch Hollow, Gallagher Fen, Davey Woods, Clear Creek, Shallenberger, and Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserves.
NORTHERN OHIO
Northern Ohio is approaching its peak as well with impressive wildflower displays throughout the region. Reports say species like red trillium, wild blue phlox, foamflower, blue cohosh, bellworts, wood anemone, buttercups, wood betony, violets, and dwarf ginseng are in great shape. You even catch species long done in southern Ohio still hanging around in some places. Suggested sites for this region include Eagle Creek, Augusta-Anne Olsen, Johnson Woods, Fowler Woods, Goll Woods, Lou Campbell, Kendrick Woods, and Lawrence Woods state nature preserves.
This weekend looks to start out wet but end with plenty of sunshine. Next week’s weather looks to be sunny and warm which will cause things to progress quicker. It won’t be long before the forest canopies leaf out and another Ohio spring show will come to an end. Lace up those hiking boots and hit the trails soon to take it all in!
The Ohio Wildflower Bloom Report is updated weekly from late March to the middle of May. We encourage you to take spring wildflower photos and upload them to social media using the hashtag #OhioWildflowers.
