Category Archives: Wildflowers

Wildflower Walk for July 21

Alpine Forget-me-not Eritrichium nanum Description: Flowers have five pale to deep blue petals that become white to yellow at the center. Grows from a dense cushion of pale green leaves 4 inches or less tall. Found on open rocky alpine … Continue reading

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Crazy Canyon in color

I’ve spent the past few mornings enjoying the summer bloom up in Crazy Canyon, at the Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area on Missoula’s east side. One of my favorite wildflowers is in abundance right now – pinedrops, above. I like … Continue reading

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Explore July’s explosion of colorful flowers

I’m a little late this month, but here are a handful of ways to celebrate the explosion of colorful wildflowers on western Montana’s hillsides in July: On Friday, July 15, through Sunday, July 17, the Montana chapter of the Sierra … Continue reading

Posted in Bitterroot Mountains, Glacier National Park, Hiking, Montana, Summer, Wildflowers | 1 Comment

Why the big bloom this year?

Missoulian reporter Gwen Florio has a nice write-up about the seemingly abundant wildflowers this spring and summer. Here’s what the experts she checked in with had to say: Morgan Valliant, the city of Missoula’s conservation lands manager, says it’s more … Continue reading

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Wildflower Walk for July 14

Owl clover Orthocarpus tenuifolius Description: 4- to 16-inch tall spike of yellow flowers interspersed by purple-tipped bracts. Linear or linear-lobed leaves that overlap and become bracts in the flower spike. Usually found in open areas of plains and hills with … Continue reading

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Short wildflower season for me

This has been a great year for wildflowers in western Montana, but Wildflower Walks has been on hiatus, as you’ve probably noticed. I’ve been recovering from personal injuries – a bad case of Achilles tendinitis in one leg and then … Continue reading

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Late bloom at Packer Meadows

Packer Meadows, June 2007 If you thought you missed the camas bloom at Packer Meadows near Lolo Pass, you’re in luck. The blue flowers, which normally bloom in June, should peak within the next week, said Dan Shook, Montana Fish, … Continue reading

Posted in Bitterroot Mountains, Hiking, Idaho, Spring, Travel, Wildflowers | 2 Comments

June bloom events in western Montana

June is here, and western Montana wildflower-related events are picking up. On Tuesday, June 7, join the Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society and Glacier National Park biologist Tara Carolin for a two-hour walk up the Columbia Mountain … Continue reading

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On the trail of flowers in Utah

Every year, my wife and I try to take hiking-centered spring vacation. This year, we detoured to Utah on the way to a family gathering in Denver. Every few years, we make our way down to the national parks and … Continue reading

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Wildflowers go mobile

The National Audubon Society and Green Mountain Digital recently released the Audubon Wildflowers app for Android smartphones. The app is a mobile version of the Audubon Guides website and has been available for a while for the iPhone and iPod … Continue reading

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