Spring is my favorite time of year. It’s when ephemerals emerge in miraculous colors, shapes and sizes without the need to be planted, weeded, watered or pampered. They’re a rite of spring that begs to be noticed and appreciated.

Spring beauties are some of the first flowers you will see in my area. Honey bees, Mason bees, sweat bees and bumblebees seek the nectar and pollen these flowers offer. It’s an important source of food for bees early in the season. Spring beauties’ bright pink stripes guide the way for bees seeking the nectar source.

Bloodroot is one of my favorite spring wildflowers. It’s very unique. Its single leaf wraps around the flower stem until it’s warm/sunny enough to bloom. Then the magnificent white-petaled flower with its yellow/orange center emerges. The bloom is closed at night or on dark days though the flowers don’t last long. Bloodroot seeds are germinated by ants which love the seed appendage (elaiosome). Ants take the entire seed back to their nests, eat the part they like, then ditch the seed in the equivalent of an underground trash can. Bloodroot leaves can grow to be as large as 12″ across. You’ll find this plant in moist areas that are either in shade or partial shade.

Dutchmen’s Breeches is another spring ephemeral in the same color tones as Bloodroot and has something else in common. Both plants have a seed appendage and rely on ants for seed dispersal. This allows the seeds to grow in nutrient rich soil. This plant gets its name from looking similar to a pair of Dutchmen’s trousers hanging upside down. Primarily only long-tongued bumblebees can reach inside to pollinate them (though they can be pollinated by other long-tongued bees). In Ohio, long-tongued bumblebees would include Two-spotted, Black & Gold and American bumblebees. This plant is an important source of food for newly emerging Queen bumblebees that are establishing their nests in the spring.

Hopefully you’ve been lucky enough this year to see the Yellow Trout lily. This plant gets its name from its mottled colored leaves which can remind one of a brown trout. Its flower head nods downward, with pedals curled up. The exterior of the bloom is an amazing bronze color, as seen in the second photo below.

Virginia bluebells were also abundant this year with their profuse blooms carpeting the floor of many wooded areas. Often times you will see very large patches of bluebells growing together in the same area. We have one such spot on a sloped hillside near a small stream that’s absolutely beautiful.

Jacob’s ladder is also in the “blue family” of spring wildflowers, although I believe this one looks a bit more violet to me perhaps because of lighting. The blooms are typically low to the ground and the plant has a tendency to sprawl a bit. It’s pollinated by both bees and butterflies. The plant tends to like shaded moist woody areas. I love how the center of the plant in the photo below almost appears to glow like it has its own internal light.

Speedwells grow very low and close to the ground with tiny 1/3″ wide flowers. The plant is undoubtedly considered by most people to be a groundcover weed. You really have to be looking closely to see it. I find the tiny flowers beautiful. It’s non-native to the U.S. and can become quite aggressive. I believe this may be Birdseye Speedwell but am not sure. On a positive note, the plant attracts bees and butterflies.

Here’s one plant I rarely see. Redstem Storksbill is an annual (or biennial in warmer areas of the country), originally native to the Mediterranean. The thing I found interesting about this plant is that I read its seeds “spring” from the plant when they are dry, though they don’t go far. I’ve never seen it in action, but wish I could.

The photos below are Dames Rocket, which can be purple, pink, white and even a mottled pink and white color. It’s often mistaken for Phlox, but Dames Rocket has only four petals. It’s highly invasive but it’s a source of nectar for hummingbirds, moths and butterflies.

It seems Mother Nature loves purple, as with this delicate little flower, Miami Mist shown below. This native plant can be found near moist meadows, along streams and even at the perimeter of forests. It’s delicate little petals look fringed and lacy. Its always a treat for me to see this little flower in the spring.

I’ve probably given you enough spring flower photos for now, but just in case you need additional incentive to get out there and look at what nature provides, here’s a few photos of things I encountered on my wildflower walks that are NOT wildflowers. A baby Barred Owl…a Red Admiral butterfly, a Green frog and a Chipmunk (who was as curious about me as I was about it). You never know what you might see when you go exploring with a camera in your hand!

I hope you’ve been able to get out and see some of Nature’s springtime wonders yourself this year. It almost feels like I’ve have a little mini-vacation when I do. And it always brings a smile to the face.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.