Special Edition: June Wildflowers

My Top 10 June Wildflower Picks

June is a time for serious discovery in my woods. I gotta pay close attention when looking for wildflowers in June because sometimes the flowers are hiding UNDER the leaves! Wildflowers are all shapes, colors and sizes. Many wildflowers in my woods are tricksters. They have multiple names as well as imposters that look like one thing but really are another. Pay close attention as you are out and about in June. Look over and under plants and you may be in for a surprise! 

Here are my Top 10 wildflower picks for June. Along with my sizing scale (as I see it) – so you know what to look for as you go out on wildflower seeking adventures of your own. 

• WILDFLOWER SIZE SCALE:
  • Small dog nose (size of a dime)
  • Medium dog nose (like mine – the size of a quarter)
  • Large dog nose (larger than a quarter)

• PLANT HEIGHT:
  • At the Paw (ground or up to 2 inches off the ground)
  • My dewclaw (3-4 inches off ground)
  • My dogleg (6 inches or more)

#1 Wild Lily of the Valley (white)

Height: paw

Flowersize: small dog nose (or smaller)

These are native to Canada so sometimes called “Canadian Lily of the Valley” or “False Lily of the Valley”. They look like tiny stars on top of two leaves. They grow very close to the ground so watch where you’re exploring or you will squash them!

#2 Sasparilla (white)

Height: my dogleg or taller

Flower size: large dog nose

This is one of those sneaky plants – the flowers are hiding under the leaves. They look like white round puff balls. Sasparilla is a tall plant, some would argue it’s a shrub – but is actually categorized as an herb. It has been used to treat sores and burns among other things. It is sweet and has been brewed in root beer! I don’t advise anyone eating plants unless they research them themselves – so please don’t take my word for it. It’s safest to look – don’t taste!

#3 Fringed Polygala (pink)

Height: paw 

Flower size: medium dog nose

This is a pretty cool looking little flower also called “Gaywings”. It comes from the milkwort family and looks like a pink airplane. Fringed Polygala lays close to the ground and their bright pink color makes them easy to spot.

#4 Woodland Phlox (purple/blue)

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: large dog nose

These flowers light up the woods. They are a blueish purple color (I think) and can grow taller than me! They are sometimes also called “Wild Sweet William”. They grow all over my forest. I know summer has arrived when the Woodland Phlox comes out to play! 

#5 False Solomon Seal (white)

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: small dog nose

These are some of the imposters I was telling you about! The leaves look like Solomon Seal and the flowers look like Wild Lily of the Valley. That’s probably why they are also called “Starry False Solomon Seal” or “Starry False Lily of the Valley”. I forgive them for trying to trick me though cuz their starry flowers turn into red berries in the fall – and that’s pretty cool.

#6 Solomon Seal (white)

Height: my full dogleg (or taller)

Flower size: small dog nose

The real deal not to be confused with the imposters! Solomon Seal flowers dangle under the leaves – so you gotta be looking for them. They are also called “Ladder-to-Heaven”. Probably because the flowers are staggered like little steps. They can be hard to see, so I am standing behind this one to help you out. See the dangly buds? They will bloom into little white flowers. Cool dontcha think? 

#7 White Baneberry

Height: my dogleg

Flower size: medium dog nose (clumped like a lilac)

DANGER! These are super cool plants but are very poisonous. The stems turn bright pink and the flowers turn into white berries. White baneberry is also called “Dolls Eyes”. I guess cuz they kinda look like dolls eyes? I dunno but they are cool to look at – just don’t eat them. I am not sure if it is true but I heard if a hooman eats these berries – it can cause their heart to stop! Who knows what it could do to canines… 

#8 Ox-eye Daisy (white)

Height: my dogleg (or taller)

Flower: large dog nose

Ox-eye daisies are tall and look just like a daisy you would see in a garden – only these daisies have thin stems and grasslike leaves. They are also called “Dog Daisies” which makes no sense to me, but I often find them in open fields where they can be in full sun. They originated in England where they are referred to as weed since they are known to spread. If you don’t see them in June – don’t worry. They usually bloom all summer long!

#9 American Speedwell (blue/purple)

Height: my dogleg

Flowersize: tiny – a very small dog nose

This type of speedwell has tiny flowers with four bluish-purple petals. They are also called the American Brooklime because it grows along shallow streams. I found this one growing right next to the creek in wet sandy soil.

#10 Dame’s Rocket (purple/white)

Height: my dogleg or taller

Flower size: medium dog nose (grows in a bunch)

These brightly colored flowers will not last long so go find them while they are out! They have many names like Gilliflower or Summer Lilac. They say their scent becomes more potent in the evening and is also called “Mother of the Evening”. I found these in a sandy open area of the woods. As you can see they are very tall!

So friends, those are my top 10 picks for June. I hope you enjoyed this special edition of my Canine Adventures. Leave me a comment or send me a pic of what you are discovering on your own outdoor adventures and get out there and smell the flowers!

Bark at you next week – your friend,