2023 Wildflower Bloom Report 4 (March 31, 2023)

Welcome back to our weekly Ohio Spring Wildflower Bloom report! Things are starting to kick into gear after some warmer and wetter weather. It’s been a strange spring — the growing season started out early with some late February bloomers before slowing way down as March stayed cold, wet, and cloudy. This week, Ohio’s woods are finally back on track.

Next week’s weather is predicted to be warmer and sunnier, a combination sure to get those flowers blooming, especially in the northern end of the state.

This week’s featured wildflower is the Virginia bluebell (Mertensia virginica). With its lovely blue flowers, it’s one of our most stunning bloomers. Blue is one of the rarest colors for flowers in the natural world and few do it better. Commonly seen throughout the state, Virginia bluebells can be found growing in floodplains, stream terraces, and low moist slopes. They reseed easily and often form large colonies in undisturbed situations. The Arc of Appalachia’s Ohio River Bluffs in the first half of April has arguably the best show in the state with countless flowers creating a blue carpet over several acres.

This week’s state nature preserve feature is without a doubt one of the state’s finest places to enjoy Spring’s bounty of wildflowers. Whipple State Nature Preserve, located in southern Adams County, is about as good as it gets. During peak conditions, about the second half of April, it’s possible to see 25-30 native wildflowers blooming at the same time. A 2.2-mile loop trail takes visitors through a mature upland forest before descending into a valley with lush slopes, gorgeous flowers, and impressive rock formations. The wood poppy, large-flowered trillium, squirrel corn, Virginia bluebell, goldenseal, and miterwort displays are especially impressive as those species are just getting started this week. Other common bloomers at the site include Jack-in-the-pulpit, Canada violet, dwarf larkspur, rue-anemone, and drooping trillium. Be sure to plan a visit to Whipple in April.

South Region

Southern Ohio is reporting more new bloomers this week. Most are just getting started and southern Ohioans will have a few weeks to enjoy them. Wildflowers like large-flowered trillium, twinleaf, dwarf larkspur, golden ragwort, dwarf cinquefoil, bluets, Virginia pennywort, wood poppy, squirrel corn, Canada violet, bishop’s cap, and early saxifrage have been spotted throughout the region.

Early bloomers, such bloodroot, white and yellow trout-lily, false rue-anemone, purple cress, hepaticas, Dutchman’s breeches, toothworts, and Virginia bluebells, are continuing to bloom and haven’t hit their peak yet.  However, harbinger-of-spring is winding down in many locations and, as we warned last week, snow trillium is about finished. Some goldenstar lilies are still hanging on, but time is also running out for them.

Other excellent spots to seek out spring’s first bloomers in this region include Davis Memorial, Lake Katharine, Miller, Shoemaker, and Scioto Brush Creek 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 near Cincinnati? A great bet for early bloomers is along the trails at Bender Mountain Preserve in Hamilton County or East Fork State Park in Clermont County.

Central Region

There are some new floral faces to celebrate in central Ohio this week as well. Large-flowered trillium is just beginning to break bud as is sessile trillium, Virginia bluebells, and golden ragwort. We’re hearing that the bright yellow marsh marigolds are beginning to open in select locales. Spring’s early bloomers are still going strong with harbinger-of-spring at peak or fading. The lovely Dutchman’s breeches and sharp-lobed hepatica shows are especially nice throughout the region. For some early favorites, blooms are in decline or nearly gone.

Our suggestions for brilliant blooming include Blackhand Gorge, Christmas Rocks, Clifton Gorge, Davey Woods, Gallagher Fen, and Shallenberger state nature preserves. State parks are another great spot for a quick wildflower hike. Check out the trails at Alum Creek, Cowan Lake, John Bryan, or Mt. Gilead state parks.

North Region

We’re happy to report that the beginning colors of Spring flowers are starting to show in the northern regions of the state. It may be just a trickle of blooms this week, but the wildflower awakening is just beginning.  We’re hearing that species such as harbinger-of-spring, spring beauty, sharp-lobed hepatica, and purple cress are unfurling their buds and announcing, “Northern Ohio, winter is over!” Other early bloomers showing their leaves like bloodroot, trout-lilies, and rue-anemone will soon be spreading their delicate colors across forest floors. Skunk cabbage fans — these unique early bloomers are still blooming in northern wetland haunts.

As the weather warms, it’s not long before you’ll want to grab your friends or family and head out to a prime viewing spot at your favorite woodland or considering visiting Augusta-Anne Olsen, Eagle Creek, Goll Woods, Johnson Woods, Kendrick Woods, Lawrence Woods, or Lou Campbell state nature preserves.