Outdoor Spirit Group

The Heralds of Spring

I must admit, by the time the end of March rolls around, I am restlessly searching for signs of spring in southern Alberta.  I find myself dusting off my hiking boots, flipping through wildflower books and dreaming of those early season hikes.  Unfortunately, from living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, I know it is a mistake to declare the arrival of spring too early.  The likelihood of one more snowfall is high.  So, when I see that first brave crocus poking its purple blossom through the dead grass of last season, I know the truth.  Spring has finally arrived!

Spring can be unpredictable, but flowers generally arrive from early April to June over a gradient of elevation from the prairie to the foothills and alpine.  The prairie awakens first and the Prairie Crocus (Anemone patens) is its champion.  Grasslands and open forests are adorned with lavender-purple, pale blue or white cup-shaped flowers with bright yellow centers.  Hairy stems and leaves, and low stature help it endure possible subzero temperatures or a blanket of snow.  The arrival of Moss Phlox (Phlox hoodii) comes soon after on sun-washed slopes and grasslands.  Its compact cluster of 5-petalled flowers varies in color from white to pale purple.  It grows on a small cushion of hairy leaves close to the ground, making it somewhat inconspicuous. Other remarkable spring beauties include Early Blue Violet (Viola adunca), Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) and Golden Bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia).  Look for these flowers in city natural areas with unbroken native prairie, and on rural rangeland and roadsides.

Spring on the foothills and prairie can arrive almost simultaneously but is dependent on sun exposure and the winter snow pack.  The foothills are intermediary between the prairie and the mountains, resulting in a mixing of vegetation zones.  Select prairie and higher elevation flowers are found in combination with some of the unique spring species of the foothills.  A couple of jewels pop up before one would even think to look for wildflowers. The delicate Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica) heralds the arrival of spring with its solitary bell hanging from a curved stem. This sweet scented perennial is found in dry coulees and open mixed woods in southwestern Alberta.  Look also for Kittentails (Besseya wyomingensis) on dry, open rocky slopes and grasslands. Their fuzzy purple tops are not the result of pretty petals but colorful protruding stamens.

The showiest flower of the foothills south of Calgary, the Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), appears later in May and is a favorite of many.  These large (to 10 cm), bright yellow blossoms are borne singly atop a cluster of arrow-shaped leaves.  The display is often so substantial that they can be seen from long distances, adorning the tops of rolling hills.  The foothills south of Calgary and Waterton National Park are excellent locations to witness the beauty of these flowers unique to the southwest corner of Alberta.

As spring progresses in both the prairie and foothills and April turns to May and early June, prepare for the certain burst of blossoms.  Some of the more memorable flowers include Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon pulchellum), Old Man’s Whiskers (Geum triflorum) and Wind Flower (Anemone multifida) that speckle the grasslands with pink, contrasted by the blues of Low Larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) and Blue Beardtongue (Penstemon albertinus).  White flowers include Fairybells (Disporum trachycarpum), Western Canada Violet (Viola canadensis), Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina stellata) and wild strawberries (Fragaria sp.).   Flowering shrubs – wild roses (Rosa sp.), Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) and Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) - also put forth their splendor at this time.  These flowers are quite common and many can be seen early in spring in city natural areas, rural rangelands, and front range hikes of Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley Provincial Park.

At higher elevations, the arrival of spring may be delayed until June or early July, yet it is still celebrated with flair.  The true symbols of mountain spring come as a team - the Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) followed closely by the Western Anemone (Anemone occidentalis) and Globeflower (Trollius albiflorus).  Aptly named, Glacier Lilies literally appear on the edge of the retreating snow, their delicate yellow bloom in stark contrast to the cold remnants of winter.  Like its cousin the prairie crocus, the Western Anemone is adorned with woolly stems and feathery leaves to keep its lovely creamy-white flower warm in inclement weather.  Globeflowers are confused easily with Western Anemones but are distinguished by their 5- to 7-parted, shiny green leaves.  As the snow recedes further and the earth continues to warm up, keep an eye out for the beautiful blue Alpine Forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris), Alpine Buttercups (Ranunculus eschscholtzii), White Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala), Western Spring Beauty (Claytonia lanceolata) and Silver Rockcress (Smelowskia calycina).  To witness the spring show of flowers at higher elevations, keep an eye on trail conditions in Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, accessing hikes as soon as the snow leaves the trails.

Spring is coming and with it the awakening of new life and beauty.  Experience the wonder of discovery as the landscape slowly transforms from winter-white to the browns and greens of spring.  Take advantage of the staged offering of floral diversity and color as the season advances slowly over the landscape.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The Earth laughs in flowers”. Laugh with the flowers and enjoy all the splendor that nature has to offer!  The outdoors awaits.