Ohio Wildflowers

With all its beautiful parks and preserves, there are a lot of wildflowers in Ohio. If you are in Southern Ohio, the season starts in early April; if you’re in Northern Ohio, the season starts in early May, and the season for most Ohio wildflowers is very short.

About Wildflowers in Ohio

There are a lot of wildflowers to be discovered in Ohio. The season for most of them is very short as they require light to flower. When the trees get their leaves, the wildflowers are in the shade. In more open areas, wildflowers can be in flower for most of the year.

We have focused on eight of the most common wildflowers in Ohio and listed a few more as well.

Bloodroot

• Sanguinaria canadensis

The Bloodroot is a member of the poppy family. They flower from around mid-March for about 40 days. They have white petals, but when the white petal comes out, it may only stay on the plant for 12 hours.

The Bloodroot is found all across Ohio, and it is quite common. For it to grow, it does need rich soil with plenty of vitamins. Bloodroot is also known for its medicinal properties. It is known to treat common illnesses like fever, asthma, and laryngitis.

Dutchman’s Breeches

• Dicentra cucullaria

The Dutchman’s Breeches are members of the Papaveraceae family. These flowers are in bloom for around 40 days, from the end of March through to early May. They have a white flower that is quite distinctive. These lovely flowers dangle down and look quite charming. These flowers can be found across the entire state of Ohio.

These flowers need quite moist ground, but it is also crucially important that there is good drainage. Dutchman’s Breeches do not do well in boggy ground. Bees can often be seen on and around Dutchman’s-breeches. So, if you Dutchman’s Breeches on your travels, there is a good chance that you will see a Bumblebee as well.

Liverwort

• Hepatica

This wildflower is a member of the Buttercup family. These lovely wildflowers can be around for 50-60 days, from March until mid-May. Of course, the longer they have access to sunlight, the longer they are in bloom. Even in the winter months, they have fleshy, green leaves that protect the plant.

When they do bloom, they produce gorgeous sepals that can be either white, rose, or lavender in color. These flowers can be found throughout Ohio. They grow well in densely wooded areas with other wildflowers.

These flowers are very important to various insects as they are some of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the season. Beetles, in particular, enjoy using this plant.

Lakeside Daisy

• Tetraneuris herbacea

The Lakeside Daisy is from the family of Asteraceae and starts to flower at the end of April for about 14 days and then it will fruit after the flowering. The fruiting phase takes a bit longer, at around six weeks. This is quite a rare find, and it is only found in the western area of Ohio, parts of Canada, and in small areas of Illinois.

This wildflower likes to be exposed fully to the sun, and it also prefers to grow in quarries that have limestone deposits.

Marsh Marigold

• Caltha palustris

The Marsh Marigold is a member of the buttercup family. This plant flowers in April and lasts until around mid-May. It has large, attractive leaves that are a glossy green color. The sepals on this plant are a bright yellow color.

This plant is found more in the Northeastern area of Ohio, but you can also find it in other parts of the state. Bees love to pollinate these plants, so it is quite likely that in season, you will see bees hovering around them. Butterflies are another member of the animal kingdom that enjoys flying around these flowers.

Skunk Cabbage

• Symplocarpus foetidus

Skunk Cabbage is one of the earliest bloomers of wildflowers in the state of Ohio. They can start to bloom from the middle of February through to the first week or so of April. The flowering happens before the leaves start to grow.

When the leaves do start to grow, they are quite large and end up being the star of the show. This is mainly due to their color and size. These flowers can be found in all parts of Ohio, and they will even start to bloom before the snows of winter have melted away. The Skunk Cabbage prefers damp soil. One word of warning is that when the leaves start to emerge, they can let off an odor that isn’t too pleasant.

Snow Trillium

• Trillium nivale

The Snow Trillium is a member of the Trilliaceae family. The flowering period of this wildflower does depend on local conditions. If it has been a milder winter, they can bloom towards the end of February. If it has been a normal Ohio winter, it tends to bloom in March until early April.

The leaves on this plant are a blue-green color and do stand out. The petals are also a bright, white color. This wildflower is most abundant in central and Southwestern Ohio. These wildflowers grow best on limestone bedrock.

Virginia Bluebells

• Mertensia virginica

Virginia Bluebells are a member of the Boraginaceae family. This wildflower blooms in mid-April through to the first week of May.

You will find these wildflowers in colonies, not on their own. After they bloom, it does not take too long for the plant to wither. The flowers are in various shades of blue, lilac, and pink. These plants enjoy damp soil and surroundings, so it is quite common to find them in rivers, streams, and floodplains.

More Ohio Wildflowers

There are many more wildflowers in Ohio, here are a few more that you may well spot during a walk or hike around the state.

• Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
• Pepper and Salt (Erigenia bulbosa)
• Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum)
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
• Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
• Yellow Lady´s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)
• Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)
• Goldenrod (Solidago)
• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
• Common Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Let’s Find Ohio Wildflowers!

Have you found Ohio Wildflowers? Which are your favorites? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your photos and/or story!

The best places to spot wildflowers in Ohio are the parks and preserves, here are a few you may like to visit:

• Glacier Ridge Metro Park
• Scioto Grove Metro Park
• Hocking Hills State Park
• Glen Helen Nature Preserve
• Rock Bridge State Park
• Yellow Springs

Make sure you check out our round-up post dedicated to Bats, Salamanders, Frogs, and even Ticks!