Winters in northern Utah are looooooooong. They nudge their way into fall and overstay their welcome in spring. Don’t get me wrong! I do love the beauty of the snow-capped mountains, a frozen waterfall, and winter hiking.
But I am dreaming of SPRING!
Spring officially begins on Monday, March 20th. But for that feel of spring we all are craving, the date is, shall I say, a bit flexible. How do I know that spring has arrived? I let the wildflowers tell me!
Below are 5 wildflowers that are a surefire way to know that spring has arrived. These early bloomers are out there just waiting for the snow to melt and the soil to warm.
The Sprawling Spring-Parsley
The sprawling spring-parsley (Cymopterus longipes) has spring in its name, so it must be spring if you spot one of these! It is a rather unassuming plant that lines the trails and begs you not to step on it. But take notice of their pretty blue-green foliage and bright yellow flowers.
Yellow Bells
Yellow bells (Fritillaria pudica) begin to bloom as the snow is melting and only last a short time. If you find one that has turned a reddish color, they are already past their prime. Look for them in open fields, under oak trees, or small shrubs. Yellow bells would be the perfect flower for a fairy to sit on if fairies did exist.
Glacier Lilies
Glacier lilies (Erythronium grandiflorum) also bloom as the snow melts. Their bright yellow petals really stand out with a snowy backdrop. Unlike the yellow bells, the glacier lily petals splay out and turn upright. Look for them in sunny, open fields.
Western Springbeauty
The western springbeauty (Claytonia lanceolata) has 5 lovely petals that range in color from white to pink. Another plant with “spring” in its name! Admire the pretty bright pink stripes on the petals. Clusters of western springbeauties will catch your eye in the shadows of trees and shrubs.
Ballhead Waterleaf
From white to pink to purple in color, the ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) can be found in moist, shady spots. To really admire these funny looking balls on the trail, take a picture and zoom in on their intricate flowers.
I hope that you will find these signs of spring or others on a trail in your area soon. If you’d like some company, please join me, my dog Zoey, and other fabulous ladies on one of the Women’s Wine Hiking Society hikes I lead in Salt Lake County. I’m always on the lookout for wildflowers!
Cheers!
Karen
