Early Signs of Wildflowers – Winter Wildflowers
The White Salmon Wildflower Festival is held in May, but there are plenty of winter wildflowers to appreciate before the festival!
It is still winter in the mountains; however, signs of spring wildflowers are popping up in the lower Columbia River Gorge! The exact bloom time shifts yearly with weather patterns and climate change, but a few early bloomers to watch are Trillium (Wake Robin), Douglass’s Grass Widow, and Yellow Bells. And don’t be surprised if you spot signs of Miner’s Lettuce, Gold Stars, and even California Poppies before too long.
Early signs of Douglass Grass Widow’s at Catherine’s Creek late January 2023
Early Bloomers to Keep a Watch For
Trillium (Trillium ovatum) are also commonly called “Wake Robin” because they are said to wake the robins in spring. One of the first flowers to arrive after the snow clears, they are known as the flower of good weather news.
Douglass’s Grass Widow (Olsynium douglasii) was first recorded in 1826 by Scottish botanist David Douglas, also famous for introducing the Douglas Fir into cultivation near Celilo Falls.
Yellow Bells (Fritillaria pudica) were observed and recorded by Lewis and Clark on May 8, 1806. It was said to have been a welcome sign of spring because their expedition was eager to cross the Rocky Mountains.
Look out for Miner’s Lettuce and Gold Stars:
Thank you to Ashley Erdely, author of Meet the Wildflowers, for this information and photos on winter wildflowers!
