Compendium of Spring Wildflowers of Nova Scotia

This is a compendium of spring wildflowers of Nova Scotia, and includes native species, introduced species and flowering shrubs and trees. Orchids are presented in a separate compendium due to my particular fondness for this family of wildflowers. The time span of this compendium goes from mid April for the Coltsfoot to June 21.

Blue Violet

It was photographed on my front yard lawn. Due to the absence of herbicides many grass lawns are becoming wildflower nurseries.

Blue Violet Rhodora

This flowering shrub is wide spread with a long blooming period.

Rhodora

Blue-eyed Grass

It was photographed on my front lawn.

Blue-eyed Grass

Seapea

This example was photographed at Spicer's Cove

Seapea Seapea

Luppin

It is wide spread and found alongside roadsides everywhere. The legume seeds of lupins are edible.

Luppin Luppin

Pitcher Plant

It is a carnivorous plant and found everywhere in bogs.

Pitcher Plant

Rhodora

It is widespread and with a long blooming period.

Rhodora Rhodora Rhodora Rhodora Rhodora

Twin Flower

We found this example alongside Sandy Cove Road. This is a very difficult flower to photograph well.

Twin Flower

Painted Trillium

We found this group alongside the Old Post Road, Mount Uniacke Estate.

Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium

Apple Tree Blossom

It is wide spread with a glorious blossom.

Apple Tree Apple Tree

Pin Cherry

It is wide spread alongside roads. The berries are edible in jams and jellies.

Pin Cherry

Pussytoes

Yes it does look like a pussy's foot.

Pussytoes

Starflower

It is wide spread with a long flowering period.

Starflower

False Lily of the Valley

We find it on the forest floor everywhere where there is dappled light.

Lily of the Valley

Sarasaparilla

We find it on the forest floor everywhere where there is dappled light, often in company with False Lily of the Valley.

Sarsaparilla Sarsaparilla Sarsaparilla

Starflower

Bluet

We found this group of Bluet at the entrance to Card Lake Provincial Park.

Bluet Bluet

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla

False Lily of the Valley

False Lily of the Valley

Bunchberry

It is wide spread with a lengthy blooming period. It is spectacular when growing in large groups.

Bayberry

Red Chokeberry

It is wide spread along almost every roadside.

Red Chokeberry

Apple Tree Blossom

Apple Tree

Bunchberry

Bunchberry

High Bush Cranberry

High Bush Cranberry

Elderberry

Elderberry

Mock Bishop's Weed

Mock Bishop's-weed Mock Bishop's-weed

Witherod

Witherod

Black Cherry

Black Cherry

Red Chokeberry

Red Chokeberry

White Rhodora

White Rhodora White Rhodora White Rhodora White Rhodora

Cotton Grass

Cotton Grass

Labrador Tea

Labrador Tea Labrador Tea

Cotton Grass Head

Cotton Grass

White Rhodora

White Rhodora White Rhodora White Rhodora

Labrador Tea

Labrador Tea

Red Chokeberry

Red Chokeberry

Labrador Tea

Labrador Tea

Coltsfoot

It was a month late this year due to the awful winter we had.

Bullhead Lily or Yellow Water Lily

Marsh Marigold

PRO_9616

Blue Bead Lily

This is another wide spread denizen of the forest floor, thriving in dappled shade.

Buttercup

Golden Heather

This year it flowered for one week! Timing is essential with this guy.

Mayflower

Due to our awful winter the Mayflower which usually blooms in mid April was almost a month late this year.

Mayflower Mayflower Mayflower

Strawberry

It is widespread along the gravel shoulders of roads. The berries are small but Laura loves them.

Strawberry Strawberry Strawberry

Leatherleaf

I photographed this short bloomed flower along Sandy Cove Road.

Leatherleaf

Strawberry

Strawberry

Leatherleaf

Leatherleaf

Small White Violet

It was in our front lawn, aka wildflower garden.

Canada Violet

Indian Pear

It is wide spread everywhere in May. It is also known as service berry and quite edible.

Indian Pear