2023 Wildflower Bloom Report 3 (March 24, 2023)

It’s week three for Ohio’s Spring Wildflower Bloom report, but as you’ve probably already noticed, it doesn’t look much different than last week. The growing patterns in the state have really slowed down after that exciting rush of early emergence of wildflowers at the beginning of March. Nevertheless, depending on your zip code, most plants are (slowly) continuing to mature, as the occasional wildflower species spreads some color across the Buckeye State.

We’ll start the week off with some good news. The forecast is calling for warmer temperatures during the day and plenty of rain—the perfect combination for wildflower blooming, especially in southern Ohio.

This week’s featured wildflower is bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). Commonly seen across Ohio, this short-lived beauty has large white flowers that only open in sunny weather. Enjoy them while you can as they quickly lose their petals after blooming. Concealed deep underground, its rhizomes are quick to spread, so bloodroot may form large, lovely colonies in places where the growing conditions are just right. Its common name, ‘bloodroot,’ comes from the red sap seen when its leaves or roots are broken open. Although its flowers won’t last past early Spring, this plant’s leaves stick around until Fall and are easily recognized by their unique shape.

This week’s report also includes our first nature preserve spotlight of the season– Shoemaker State Nature Preserve in Adams County. From March thru May, it’s a wonderful site to visit because of the variety of blooming species. Early bloomers, such as harbinger-of-spring, white trout-lily, and Virginia bluebells, abound. Preserve highlights include the fantastic show of twinleaf in the first half of April, and a chance to see some unusual plants, such as few-flowered valerian and Guyandotte beauty, later in May. If you visit, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the large green basal rosettes of American columbo which will also emerge in the upland woods during Spring.

Not only is Shoemaker filled with botanical gems, but it features some cool geology as well. The preserve’s 1.5 -mile trail takes visitors through upland limestone woods, past large dolomite slump blocks and cliffs, and along scenic Cedar Fork, which is a tributary of Scioto Brush Creek.

South Region

Despite the flowering slow down here and around the state, we can still report a few new wildflowers blooming including slender toothwort, sessile trillium, and large-flowered trillium. Other species in bud and due to bloom over the next week or so include twinleaf, wood poppy, golden ragwort, and wild ginger. Common species like yellow trout-lily, Dutchman’s breeches, and Virginia bluebells are in full bloom in some areas, yet just starting to bloom elsewhere. This time of year, the relationship between the position of sun and direct sunlight on the land makes a world of difference from one location to the next.

Other species still brightly blooming across the region include harbinger-of-spring, purple cress, cut-leaved toothwort, white trout-lily, spring beauty, bloodroot, sharp-lobed hepatica, rue-anemone, and giant blue cohosh.

As we warned last week, for early blooming species, such as snow trillium and golden-star lily, their bloom time is running out. The cooler weather may have delayed their decline, but these two wonders will be disappearing soon, until next year.

Some excellent spots to seek out spring’s first bloomers in this region include Davis Memorial, Lake Katharine, Miller, Shoemaker, Scioto Brush Creek, and Whipple state nature preserves. For those who prefer a vast forest to visit, check out Shawnee State Forest in Scioto County—in early Spring, it’s a carpet of wildflowers. Live in the Cincinnati area? A great bet for early bloomers is Bender Mountain Preserve or the wooded trails of East Fork State Park.

Central Region

Farther north, Central Ohio locations continue to lag its neighbors to the south. Some new species may be missing, but the region continues to offer a variety of pretty petals in Ohio’s woodlands. Lots of flowers to spot including harbinger-of-spring, sharp-lobed hepatica, purple cress, spring beauty, and white trout-lily—they’re all turning up across the middle of the state. Other species, such as Virginia bluebells, sessile trillium, and bloodroot, may still be in bud, but their blooms will open soon.

The snow trillium, seen growing at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, not far from Dayton or Columbus, has peaked and is starting to wane. Not far from either the Dayton or Columbus area, we highly recommend you head there soon as there are some single snow trilliums still in bloom.

Central Ohio offers some great spots of exceptional wildflower viewing in the region including Blackhand Gorge, Christmas Rocks, Clifton Gorge, Davey Woods, Gallagher Fen, and Shallenberger state nature preserves. State parks are also great places for a quick wildflower hike. Check out the trails at Alum Creek, Delaware, Cowan Lake, John Bryan (adjacent to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, you’ll get two great spots in one trip), or Mt. Gilead state parks

North Region

Northern Ohioans have been patient and we’ll have to beg your forgiveness a bit longer as we wait for the temperatures to climb a bit higher. If you look closely, in sunnier spots, you’re likely to find harbinger-of-spring, spring beauty, and perhaps cut-leaved toothwort or purple cress breaking bud. We know we said it last week, but we’ve got to say it again—warm weather will soon open those lovely blooms in your favorite northern viewing spots!

You’ve got some time to plan a wildflower excursion. Consider some of our favorite spots for a guaranteed wildflower explosion of color—Augusta-Anne Olsen, Eagle Creek, Goll Woods, Johnson Woods, Kendrick Woods, Lawrence Woods, and Lou Campbell state nature preserves. Mohican State Park and State Forest is a region also covered with pretty wildflowers.

The Ohio Wildflower Bloom Report is updated weekly from March to the middle of May. We encourage you to take spring wildflower photos and upload them to social media using the hashtag #OhioWildflowers. You can follow @OhioDNAP and @OhioDNR on Instagram, @OhioFindItHere and @OhioDNR on Twitter, and the OhioDNAP on Facebook. Find individual wildflower pages at Ohiodnr.gov. You can also use our handy spring wildflower checklist to track what you’re seeing in the field.