Ohio is, undoubtedly, rich in fascinating and beautiful wildflowers. Due to their diversity, some flowers are prolific while others are quite rare and will only grow in specific habitats.
Whatever the case, wildflowers are a beautiful addition to any landscape, and some offer unique benefits as well. If you’re looking for a list of wildflowers that grow in Ohio, read on!
What are wildflowers?
Wildflowers are flowers that grow naturally in the wild, as opposed to being cultivated or grown in a garden. They can be found growing in fields and meadows, as well as in wooded areas and other natural habitats.
The benefits of wildflowers
There are many benefits to adding wildflowers to your landscape. Some of the most important include attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, providing food for birds, enhancing soil health through nitrogen fixation, and reducing erosion.
In addition to these important ecological benefits, wildflowers are also simply beautiful to look at! They add color and interest to any landscape and can brighten up even the dullest of days.
Did you know that some wildflowers are even edible? No? Stick around to find out more.
A list of wildflowers that grow in Ohio
There are many different types of wildflowers that grow in Ohio. Some of the most common include:
- Pepper and salt
- Wild columbine
- Bloodroot
- Mayapple
- Blue lupine
- Painted trillium
- Skunk cabbage
- Yellow lady’s slipper
- Jack-in-the-pulpit
- Wild geranium
- Philadelphia fleabane
- Grey-headed coneflower
- American water lotus
Here’s a closer look at the above wildflowers:
1. Pepper and Salt
Also referred to as the harbinger of spring, this small wildflower can be unobtrusive due to its small size. But don’t let that fool you – these beautiful white flowers are not so easy to ignore. The deep pink or red color of the anthers has a unique contrast to the white color of the petals, giving this flower that remarkable beauty. And to top it all? A single, purplish stem that offers additional contrast to the appearance of the whole plant.
2. Wild columbine
The colors of wild columbine are something to behold. These showy woodland flowers have pinkish-yellowish petals, with the trademark goldish anthers that stand out beautifully against the color of their petals. The lobed fern-like leaves add a lovely touch to this beautiful flower.
3. Bloodroot
One of the earliest blooming flowers in Ohio, the bloodroot is a small beautiful white wildflower that can be found growing in wooded areas. The yellow center of this flower is quite distinctive, and even though the blooms are highly short-lived, they are definitely worth seeking out.
4. Mayapple
The mayapple is a flower with huge, drooping umbrella-like leaves. After blooming, this plant produces a beautiful white flower. The stems can only have one or two leaves. Unique to this plant is the fact that the flowers are only found in the axil of stems that bear two leaves.
5. Blue lupine
Commonly found in Northwest Ohio’s sandy Oak Openings region, this wildflower is famous for its lovely blue-purple hue. The pretty petals of this flower have a spikey appearance, and while these plants are a great attraction to visitors, they are also good pollinator attractants.
6. Painted trillium
This plant is adored for its large tri-petal white flowers that have a touch of a deep pink at the center. The plant’s common name, ‘painted trillium’ is derived from this unique feature which distinguishes it from other trillium species. The blooms of this plant are found at the top of a single, unbranched stem.
7. Skunk cabbage
The pungent smell that this plant produces has earned it the nickname ‘skunk cabbage’. Common in wet woodland and wetland regions of Ohio, this plant is usually among the earliest to emerge at the onset of the spring. Its uniqueness lies in producing its own heat, which means that this plant can sprout even after the ground is frozen.
8. Yellow lady’s slipper
The gorgeous yellow color of this wildflower makes it stand out in a variety of habitats, from shadowy woodlands to open fields and even along streams. The outstanding feature of the yellow lady’s slipper flower is the inflated yellow petal, which is known as the slipper.
9. Jack-in-the-pulpit
This wildflower is easily recognizable with its striking features, which include an unusual cylindrical hooded flower that has purple brownish stripes. As a shade-loving plant that does best in moist floodplains or deciduous woodlands, the jack-in-the-pulpit is not a very rare wildflower.
10. Wild geranium
The wild geranium is a showy spring wildflower that has beautiful five-petaled flowers, which can range in color from pink to purple and even white. This perennial wildflower has a renowned ability to attract different early pollinators that include but are not limited to bumblebees, ground-nesting bees, and even hoverflies.
11. Philadelphia fleabane
The Philadelphia fleabane wildflower is native and common in the state of Ohio. Its numerous blooms are usually white or pinkish in color with a yellow center.
As a wildflower that belongs to the aster family, it will have small, narrow hairy leaves and an often-hairy stem. This prolific wildflower is commonly found in open fields, pastures, and even along roadsides.
12. Northern pitcher plant
This is one of the few carnivorous plants in Ohio. Also referred to as the purple pitcher plant, this wildflower is only found in a couple of areas in the state of Ohio.
It’s especially common in bog habitats, and will usually grow in huge colonies. The blooms are usually purplish-maroonish in color, and they rise out of their foliage like a balloon would nod on a string.
13. Grey-headed coneflower
This prairie wildflower is found in open areas throughout Ohio, particularly in grasslands and pastures thanks to its deep roots. The flowers are bright yellow in color, with a dark brown cone-like tope that is the most important part of the flower to pollinators.
14. American water lotus
The American water lotus is a beautiful aquatic wildflower that is common in many ponds and lakes in the state of Ohio. This native wildflower has leaves that will grow up to 3′ in diameter with white flowers that can reach up to 10″ across.
The plant also has cone-shaped seed heads that are a good source for migratory birds, ducks, and other waterfowl. The wide leaves provide a perfect hiding place for young fish to hide from predators.
Ohio wildflowers: To sum it all up
There is a wide variety of wildflowers that grow in Ohio – this is just a brief list of some of the more common ones. In addition to these, you can also find beautiful flowers such as the Golden Ragwort, grass pink orchid, purple coneflower, nodding onion, blue-eyed grass, and a whole host of other beautiful wildflowers.
Whether you are looking for bright and colorful blossoms or other smaller plants that thrive in damp environments, there is sure to be a wildflower that will appeal to you in Ohio. So why not take some time to explore the natural beauty of this state and see what you can find?
Related Article: When to Plant Flowers in Ohio?