Sea Thrift adorns the bluffs of Yachats in late spring and early summer.
Beautiful wildflowers are gems of the trail
Throughout spring and summer, like the colorful stroke of an artist’s paintbrush from lower to higher elevations, wildflowers add their vibrant and delicate shapes to Oregon’s coastal landscape.
Regular hikers develop “the eye” to recognize annual favorites, getting closer to admire and sometimes photograph them before moving on to see what’s around the bend, always leaving them for others to enjoy and never picking them because it’s often illegal to do so.
In the Yachats area, you will see wildflowers seasonally in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, along the Amanda Trail, on the Heceta Head Lighthouse trail, and at Gerdemann Botanic Preserve. You’ll also see wildflowers, such as sea thrift (pictured above), along the rocks on the 804 Trail.
Or venture farther afield in midsummer to Alsea Falls or Marys Peak in the Coast Range, where the wildflowers fill the meadows with color, drawing pollinators to higher elevations.
Beautiful and fleeting, Oregon wildflowers are true gems of the coastal woodlands. These are just a few of the many species that thrive here and thrill their admirers:
Trillium
One of the first wildflowers of the year, its signature three-petaled white flower and three broad green leaves are easy to spot in early spring against the leafy brown of wet leaves. A native flower, trillium thrives on the woodland floor and attracts ants that help to spread its seed.
Wild Iris
Its delicate purple, white and yellow flower petals provide a beautiful pop of color within the coastal woodlands in early spring. Small and often nestled low to the ground, they’re easy to miss.
Wild rhododendrons
Large blossoms unfurl in a variety of colors as early as April into May. These hardy plants thrive in the coastal landscape and can grow as tall as trees!
Blue camas
Find these abundantly blooming in open meadows through May. With its edible root bulb, this plant was an important food source for indigenous natives living along the coast. They would roast these bulbs or make bread from them.
Bleeding heart
This native early bloomer prefers the wooded, shaded habitats of the coastal forest, displaying strands of heart-shaped blooms in vibrant pink or white.
Larkspur
Arresting to see, the beautiful purple-blue larkspur, or delphinium, is toxic to humans and to animals.
Lilies
Lilies are common bloomers along coastal trails, from the small and delicate fawn lily in early spring to the tall and eye-catching tiger lily, or Columbian lily, with its signature orange bloom drooping from its tall stem from May through August.
Shooting star
Less common, but sure to surprise wildflower fans in the Coast Range, is the beautiful shooting star, with its rocket-like tip aimed down as if enroute to crash-land.
Foxglove
Also known as digitalis purpurea, foxglove loves to grow on the edge of the forest, from the coast to mid elevations. Although not native to the Pacific Northwest, foxglove is very common and a favorite with hummingbirds, thanks to its abundant nectar, but very toxic to humans and animals.
Remember, these wildflowers are fleeting! To ensure that you’ll have the best chance to see the earliest gems of the spring season next year, make your reservations now for a wildflower adventure at Overleaf Lodge & Spa.
FLORA & FAUNA