Happy Friday GPODers!
Last week I shared some photos from my trip to White Sands National Park this spring (GPOD on the Road: Spring at White Sands National Park). I encouraged everyone to share photos of flowers they found in the wild this year. Little did I know that Gail Blomer of Black Mountain, North Carolina had already completely beaten me. We’ve already seen Gail’s amazing collection of daylilies this week (Gale’s Daylilies in North Carolina), but seeing those photos first made me nostalgic for when she posted the wildflower photos she took on trips to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. This vast national park is home to many iconic landmarks, including the Tundra Community Trail, which offers spectacular views and a feast of spectacular wildflowers for plant lovers to enjoy. This location, at high altitude and above the tree line, is a harsh climate for these flowers to endure, but this is exactly the conditions they need to thrive.
It’s easy to think that the flowers that grow in this extreme environment are different from the flowers we grow at home, but the majority of these plants are relatives of the common garden plants we love. This shrub Dasiphora fruticosa (Zones 2-7) is a perfect example, showing a family resemblance to the Dasiphora fruticosa shrubs and perennials enjoyed in gardens across North America.
Most of the flower shapes of these plants are consistent with non-alpine plants, a growth habit that evolved to suit the harsh landscape. Sticky polemonium (Polemonium viscosum, zones 3 to 8) produces flowers much like its relative Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium caeruleum, zones 4 to 8), but it grows only 6 inches tall to protect it from strong feathers and has succulent-like leaves that help retain water.
There are several species of primrose native to North America, but this special little guy is only found in Colorado and northern New Mexico. It is the alpine primrose (Primula angustifolia, zones 3-7). Its bright magenta flowers can easily be mistaken for parry primrose (Primula parryi, zones 4 to 8), which grows in the subalpine to alpine tundra of the Rocky Mountains, but its short stature belies its true identity.
Woodland forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica, zones 2-8) is an invasive species in much of North America and is included on some states’ restricted plant lists. However, there are some forget-me-nots that are native to North America, such as alpine forget-me-not (Eritrichium nanum, zones 2-8).
Buttercups are known for their full blooms that make great cut flowers, but the simple flowers of the alpine buttercup (Ranunculus adoneus, zones 2-5) are just as eye-catching with their bright yellow color and are even more appreciated by pollinators.
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera, zones 3 to 9) is popular in many spring gardens because it creates a carpet of bright flowers, but there is another ground cover phlox (spread phlox) (Phlox diffusa, zones 3 to 8) that is native to North America. Creeping phlox is native to central and eastern North America, and rampant phlox is home to the western part of the continent, but both can grow in many different types of habitat.
Old Man of the Mountain (Tetraneuris grandiflora, zones 3-8) is a very silly name for this cheerful plant of the Helianthaceae family. Also known as alpine sunflower, this other name comes from the white hairs that cover the plant’s stems, which can be faintly seen in this photo.
Gail clearly had a keen eye for these tiny plants, as many other hikers undoubtedly passed right in front of these little pops of color. Growing only 2 inches tall, dwarf clover (Trifolium nanum, zones 2-7) is easy to overlook, but its sweet pink petals are worth a closer look.
All the flowers were blooming along this road.
Thank you so much Gail for sharing your amazing wildflower photos with us! They introduced us to some very interesting alpine plants and wonderful spots to look for flowers.
Have you found any wildflowers on your travels or daily walks this year? Let us know in the comments where you like to look for flowers. Or consider sharing your wildflower photos on your blog. Follow the steps below to submit your photo to Garden Photo of the Day.
I want to see your garden!
Do you have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a collection of particular plants you love, or any amazing gardens you’ve had the chance to visit.
To submit, please fill out the garden photo submission form of the day.
You can also send 5-10 photos to: (email protected) It also includes information about the plants in the photo and the location where the photo was taken. We’d love to hear about where you live, how long you’ve been gardening, any successes you’re proud of, what you’ve learned from failures, your hopes for the future, your favorite plants, and any funny stories that happen in your garden.
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