April 18, 2023

Wildflower season is one of the best times to experiences California’s great outdoors.

If it’s spring, it’s wildflower season. 

There’s nothing like walking through a natural place, and coming across an amazing wildflower. And during this time of superblooms, we want to remind people that the redwood forests are wonderful places to find wildflowers. And that goes for both the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. There are literally hundreds of different types that you might find out there, but we thought we’d share a few of our favorites.

Here you go:

Trillium

Trilliums bloom in the redwoods in spring

Trillium comes in many varieties, like this white flower in Redwood National Park. Photo by Max Forster.

Rhododendron

two small pink-white flowers on the right, with two a dark-grey tree trunks in the left background

Rhododendron is really more of a shrub or small tree that flowers beautifully among the redwoods, such as here in the Big River-Mendocino Old-growth Redwoods. Photo by Max Forster.

Douglas Iris

a close-up on a purple flower with some dewy leaves in the background

The Douglas iris is considered common, but that doesn’t make it any less attractive. These were found in Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve. Photo by Jerry Peepers.

Lupine

Lupine is a wildflower found in redwood forests. Photo by Max Forster.

Lupine is another common flowering plant, and always a joy to see, like here in the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park. Photo by Max Forster.

Leopard Lily

Photo by JJ Maugn.

Sticky monkey flower

Photo by Alan Schmierer.

Alpine Lily

close-up of an orange flower with many speckle-like stamens inside the whorl

Also known as the Sierra tiger lily, this flower is found at altitudes between roughly 4,000 and 9,000 feet. Photo by Sean Munson.

Snowflower

Bright red plants grow on the forest floor

The snowflower, or snow plant, is an odd sort of thing. It doesn’t produce its own chlorophyll, but instead takes advantage of a fungi that lives off the roots of giant sequoia and other conifers. That’s why you’ll often see them poking up out of the ground under the tall trees. Photo by Garrison Frost.

Spotted Coralroot

close up of a purple vein with many small flowers, each of which have a cotton-like middle that features many violet spots

The spotted coralroot is actually a native orchid. Photo by M.E. Sanserverino

Wood Strawberry

a ladybug sits on the white petals of a white flower with a yellow center

The wood strawberry has a delightfully simple flower. Photo by Laurel Russwurm.

Stream Violet

a bright yellow five-petalled flower with thin brown streaks going into the whorl

The stream violet is another simple flower that is terrific to find. Photo by Lynette Elliott.

Mariposa Lily

a white flower with three petals and a hairy, orange center. The center also has a purple border, some purple details, and white-tipped stamens

Another great Sierra wildflower, the mariposa lily is named after the butterfly because it is large and showy. Photo by Judy Gallagher.