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While spring is often the best time to view wildflowers in the northwoods, summer offers up some of the northwoods' finest flowers, such as the purple-fringed orchid. Here's a selection of summer flowers and descriptions. See how many you can find the next time you're walking in the northwoods.
Purple-fringed Orchid This outstanding orchid is typically found only in swampy areas, most often ash or alder swamps. You can see many of these orchids in bloom in mid-July along the Orr Bogwalk, next to the Orr Visitors Center. They also grow along the walkway to Kettle Falls Hotel.
Fireweed This is one of the most prominent mid-late summer wildflowers in the northwoods. Look for it along roadsides or in any recently disturbed area where it typically grows in dense patches that appear as large magenta patches across the landscape. It also grows well in the wake of forest fires, hence its name.
Evening Primrose This abundant wildflower is found on disturbed sites throughout the northwoods. Its stalk typically stands 3-4 feet tal and is festooned with numerous lance-shaped leaves. The flowers typically bloom two or three at a time. They bloom in the evening and close up during the following day.
Bellwort Take a walk through an aspen woods in May and you should find bellworts in bloom. Look for the bright yellow flowers and curled petals. Don't confuse it with the similar flower, called Wild Oats. That flower has paler yellow flowers with petals that come together to form a bell.