Blazing Star can grow up to 6-feet tall and have dense purple flower clusters at their head. The purple flower heads have a somewhat feathery appearance. In combination with the spiked leaves the “spiked” blazing star name is very fitting. They bloom in the summer and attract numerous pollinators. To learn more about spiked blazing stars, visit:

• Ontario Wildflowers – Blazing Star 
• Wildflower Center – Blazing Star

Starry False Solomon’s Seal is found across Ontario. It typically grows 12-24 inches tall and produces a cluster of 6-15 small, white, star-shaped flowers in late spring. This flower attracts a variety of pollinators, including small native bees. Following pollination, the plant develops berries that develop to be dark red as they mature in late summer. For more information, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Starry False Solomon’s Seal
• Ontario Wildflowers – Starry False Solomon’s Seal  

Sundrops have large, bright yellow flowers. They bloom in late spring and summer. Interestingly, their flowers open when exposed to sunlight hence the name sundrops. Their bright yellow colour makes them attractive to birds such as hummingbirds. To learn more about sundrops, visit:

• Gardenia – Sundrops 
• Wildflower Center – Sundrops

Violets bloom in the spring and can be found in both forests and fields. Typically growing 3-10 inches tall, they act as great groundcovers under larger perennials. These asymmetrical blue/violet flowers attract a variety of native bees and butterflies, such as Fritillary butterflies, providing an early-season nectar source. To learn more, visit:

• In Our Nature – Violets
• Ontario Wildflowers – Violets  

Wild Bergamot is a tall, upright native wildflower reaching 2-4 feet in height. It produces clusters of purple/pink tubular flowers in the summer. These blooms attract a range of pollinators, including bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Wild Bergamot belongs to the mint family and has a characteristic minty scent. To learn more, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Wild Bergamot
• Ontario Wildflowers – Wild Bergamot