Plants blooming on Wolf Haven’s prairie in… October?!
by Anne Schuster, Prairie Conservation Specialist at Wolf Haven International
Ah, Fall – a time of pumpkins, spiced apple cider, fiery-colored autumn leaves and trick-or-treaters. But look at what’s blooming on our prairie right now. These beautiful plants typically flower in spring or early summer – not October.
Despite its name, the Early Blue Violet (Viola adunca) blooms after a rain, but October is a bit late for it.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) is a great late season nectar source for insects, but October is late for it as well.
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) usually blooms in spring, has flowers all around the prairie right now.
Elegant Lupine (Lupinus lepidus) often blooms all through the summer, but this one is finishing up now.
Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) bloom throughout spring, but they are out all over right now.
An early summer flower, there are a few Harebells (Campanula rotundifolia) out on one mound.
And finally, the endangered Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) is flowering here and there around the prairie, despite usually doing so in May and June.
This single Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) is an early bloomer, usually around March and April.