COLUMBUS, OH -- With the spring wildflower season now underway, Ohio's state parks and state nature preserves are among the best places to view Mother Nature's annual show of colors, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Virginia bluebells, toothwort, trout lilies, blue violets and spring beauties, as well as varieties of trilliums, will soon be blooming across the state. Typically starting in the Ohio River Valley in early March and moving north and west for the next two months, warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours carpet forest floors in shades of blue, pink, yellow and white.
To help nature enthusiasts make the most of their wildflower viewing opportunities, ODNR has compiled a list of the 10 best parks and preserves to visit in April and May. They are by region:
SOUTHERN OHIO
WHIPPLE STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Adams County)
An abundance of ferns and spring wildflowers emerge early at this preserve, including outstanding displays of twinleaf, fawn lilies, trillium and celandine poppy. A newly constructed trail winds its way for two miles along the dolomite cliffs and slump blocks. The preserve is located on the east side of State Route 247, a mile north of U.S. 52.
LAKE HOPE STATE PARK (Vinton County)
Bloodroot and wild geranium are common along the Hope Furnace Trail, which originates at Hope Furnace. Yellow lady's slipper blooms in the park and many remote hollows. Lake Hope State Park is located on State Route 278 between State Route 56 and U.S. 50.
DESONIER STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Athens County)
An Appalachian woodland typical of southeastern Ohio, Desonier preserve hosts a variety of wildflowers. Included are trillium, bellwort, Solomon's seal and the distinctive trout lily with speckled leaves and yellow flowers. The preserve is located near Coolville on County Road 65.
LAKE KATHARINE STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Jackson County)
One of the state's loveliest natural places, Lake Katharine is home to one of the state's most beautiful wildflowers - the pink lady's slipper. Actually a wild orchid, the lady's slipper is a woodland specie. Other wildflowers at Lake Katharine include trailing arbutus, marsh marigold, mountain laurel, Solomon's seal, trillium and hepatica. Lake Katharine is located four miles northwest of Jackson on County Road 85.
HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK (Hocking County)
Take the Ash Cave Trail for a springtime view of jewelweed and trillium in bloom. The trail offers wheelchair access and winds through towering hemlocks and a variety of ferns at the bottom of the cave's cool, sandstone gorge. The park is located on State Route 664 between State Route 56 and U.S. 33.
CENTRAL OHIO
CLIFTON GORGE STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Greene County)
The Little Miami Scenic River cuts a deep canyon through Clifton Gorge, which is located just east of John Bryan State Park. Hepatica, Virginia bluebells and shooting stars bloom early here in a rich array of color. The preserve is located on State Route 343, west of Clifton.
NORTHERN OHIO
FOWLER WOODS STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Richland County)
A spectacular carpet of wildflowers blankets this preserve each spring before the tree canopy decreases the sunlight reaching the forest floor. Marsh marigolds are the most prevalent wildflower here. However, there are significant stands of wild geraniums, jack-in-the-pulpit, hepatica and wild phlox. About a dozen species of wild violets also grow here. Fowler Woods is located 15 miles north of Mansfield, one mile east of State Route 13 on Olivesburg-Fitchville Road.
MALABAR FARM STATE PARK (Richland County)
Trillium, spring beauties, Dutchman's breeches and wild blue phlox are abundant along the Butternut Nature Trail that originates behind the Pugh Cabin at Doris Duke Woods. The park is located on Pleasant Valley Road, just north of the intersection of State Routes 95 and 603.
GOLL WOODS STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Fulton County)
The preserve hosts expansive populations of trillium, both white and red. White trillium is Ohio's official state wildflower. Wild geranium and wild phlox are among the wildflower varieties found in Goll Woods. The preserve is located northwest of Archbold on County Road 26.
JOHNSON WOODS STATE NATURE PRESERVE (Wayne County)
An exceptional number of wild violets in white, blue and yellow are the hallmark of this preserve in the spring. Trout lilies are also abundant, as is toothwort - little spike flowers in white or pink with finely divided leaves. Toothwort and trout lilies bloom in April and early May. The preserve is located five miles northeast of Orrville on Fox Lake Road.
For more information on Ohio's spring wildflower season, visit the ODNR web site at Ohiodnr.com