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Spring wildflowers are early bloomers - you have to catch them at the right time to see them. Weekly wildflower bloom reports will be emailed to you through mid-May.
Spotting secretive wildflowers is a refreshing, unique spring activity for the whole family. Get outside this spring and see what you can find.
The uneven weather has made for an interesting start to Spring with days in the high 70s, followed by a blizzard.
No wildflower blooms yet in northern Iowa. Sharp-lobed hepatica is sprouting in Emmet County.
Look for American hazelnut, snow trillium and sharp-lobed hepatica in Jackson County. Crocus, snow trillium, Virginia waterleaf, violet and thistle are blooming in Sac County. Find skunk cabbage in Guthrie County. Garlic mustard rosette leaves have emerged in Hardin County.
Snow trillium are at the peak of their blooming in Des Moines and Henry counties, surviving last week’s blizzard unscathed. Sharp-lobed hepatica are starting to be plentiful in both the white and purple varieties. Although it's a fungi, and not a flower, scarlet cups can be found. Dutchman’s breeches are beginning to bloom. A single bloodroot and a single very early Spring beauty was found. Purple cress are starting to bloom. Virginia bluebells are budding, but it will take them several more weeks to bloom fully. Virginia waterleaf is beginning to leaf out. The large, rare putty root orchid leaves can still be easily spotted among the leaf litter, as they remain green all year long.
Sweet cisely, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, and Virginia waterleaf leaves are emerging in Appanoose County.
Add spring color to your yard
Spring is a great time to plant trees. Find great tips and resources on how to select, plant and keep trees healthy on the DNR webpage.
Need trees?
- Alliant Energy customers can purchase up to two trees per planting address at $25 per tree; trees retail for $75 or more. Find pick-up locations and dates, and an order form to reserve your trees on the DNR Residential Tree Programs webpage.
- Check out the State Forest Nursery for diverse, native seedlings aviable for spring delvery in April and May.
Looking for ways to keep your kids or grandkids busy this summer near Waterloo, Anamosa, Mt. Vernon, and Palo?
Sign them up for a five-day immersive adventure filled with fun, exploration and learning outdoor skills that can last a lifetime. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per camp.
Camp is for students going into third through fifth grade:
Camp is for students going into fifth through eighth grade:
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