What’s Blooming?

If you plan a hike at Devil’s Lake State Park, now is the perfect time to check out the wildflowers adorning the bluffs. Here are some of the beautiful blooms you might encounter:

Wild Roses (Rosa): Fragrant, pink or white flowers with a classic rose appearance.

Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Clusters of small, pale pink or white flowers atop tall stems.

Meadow Hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum): Vibrant yellow flowers resembling small dandelions. (Invasive)

Spiderwort (Tradescantia): Delicate, three-petaled flowers in shades of blue, purple, or pink.

Tall Cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta): Slender stems bearing small, five-petaled yellow flowers.

Tall Dogwood (Cornus altissima): Clusters of small, white flowers that give way to bluish-white berries.

Prairie Alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii): Spikes of small, greenish or pinkish flowers rising from mounds of foliage.

Smooth Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum): Arching stems with dangling, bell-shaped white flowers.

Thimbleweed/Virginia Anemone (Anemone virginiana): Delicate, white flowers with a button-like center.

Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera): Clusters of small, yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers attractive to hummingbirds. BTW, this is a native Wisconsin honeysuckle and not invasive.

Take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty of these wildflowers during your next visit to Devil’s Lake State Park and remember to stay on the trails and avoid picking the flowers, so that others can enjoy them too!

Happy hiking and wildflower spotting!