Earliest Spring Wildflowers: Eliza Howell Park

2018 has been cold in March and early April, but the weather will get warmer and wildflowers will soon start to bloom.

Those who have the opportunity to walk in the park looking for blooming flowers this spring may see the following in late April or the beginning of May.

This 11-flower list is not all-inclusive, but it might provide some guidance to spring flower seekers.

All photos are from Eliza Howell Park.

1. Spring Beauty

• Woods
• 3 – 6 inches
• Usually 5 petals marked with pink or purple vein

2. Cutleaf Toothwort

• Woods
• 8 – 12 inches
• 4 petals

3. Yellow Trout Lily

• Woods
• 6 – 10 inches
• 6 backward curving petals

4. White Trout Lily (Dogtooth Violet)

• Woods
• 6 – 10 inches
• 6 backward curving petals

5. Common Blue Violet

• Woods and meadows
• 3 – 8 inches
• 5 petals

6. Canada (white) Violet

• Woods
• 6 -15 inches
• 5 petals, lower 3 marked with fine brown-purple veins

7. Garlic Mustard

• Woods
• 1 – 4 feet
• 4 petals
• Non-native plant

8. Wild Strawberry

• Meadows, open areas
• 3 – 6 inches
• 5 rounds petals, numerous yellow stamens

9. Wild Geranium

• Woods
• 1 – 2 feet
• 5 petals, usually with dark veins

10. (Common) Trillium

• Woods
• 12 – 18 inches
• 3 large petals
• Protected Michigan wildflower

11. Redbud

• Edges of woods
• Small tree, native of North America
• Flowers are pea-shaped and appear on twigs and branches