Every spring Vermont’s lush nature is awakened with beautiful wildflowers throughout forests, meadows, and even suburbs. To see the first gentle signs of spring, step into the woods and keep your eyes low so as not to miss tiny white and pink beauties, such as trout lilies, white trillium, and bloodroot. Spring wildflowers usually appear from April through June. Summer is the time to explore mountainous areas and alpine meadows for rhododendrons, mountain ravens, and dwarf cinquefoil. Lupins add delightful purple accents at the foothills. The peak summer bloom in Vermont occurs in July.
Gleason Brook Falls
Gleason Brook features lush forests and a picturesque waterfall trail that is famous for its early spring flowers. You can also walk the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America—the Green Mountain Club Long Trail—that stretches through forested areas into the mountains. In the Gleason Brook area, you can take Duxbury Window and Gleason Brook Bridge hikes on the Long Trail, both of which start on Duxbury Road in Bolton.
Stowe and Mount Mansfield
The area around the ski resort of Stowe and Mount Mansfield, the highest peak of Vermont, is famous for its outstanding flora, and, especially, Alpine meadow plants. Take a ride on the Stowe Mountain Resort gondola or hike to the scenic Mount Mansfield summit. On the top, enjoy panoramic views and spot rare flowers such as diapensia, leatherleaf, lowbush blueberry, mountain cranberry, and a tender pistil. The flowers are most abundant during late summer.
Wild Orchids
The New England region is famous for its wild orchids, and luckily Vermont has plenty of bogs where you can find these rare beauties. The best time for an orchard-spotting hike is in mid-June. Pink lady-slippers are most common in Chickering Bog, East Montpelier, where you can take a hike through a boardwalk traversing the fen wetland. Another famous area is Eshqua Bog Natural Area near Woodstock. Get on the boardwalk through the bog to spot white bog orchids and beautiful lady-slippers.
Practical info
When is Vermont's wildflower season?
Wildflowers in Vermont typically bloom during spring and summer. Spring is the time for trout lilies, white trillium, and bloodroot, which appear from April to June. July marks the peak summer bloom, featuring rhododendrons, mountain ravens, and dwarf cinquefoil. Vermont's wildflowers add delightful purple accents and gentle signs of spring throughout the season. Show more
Where are wild orchids in Vermont?
Vermont has plenty of bogs where rare orchids may be found, including the white bog orchids and lady-slippers located at Eshqua Bog Natural Area near Woodstock. Other spots include Chickering Bog in East Montpelier, where pink lady-slippers can be found. Vermont is part of New England, which is known for wild orchids flourishing in its various bogs. Show more
What are some places in Vermont's mountainous areas to visit for wildflower viewing?
Stowe and Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, are the most popular areas for observing wildflowers in the mountainous region. The Alpine meadow vegetation is especially outstanding here, with diapensia, leatherleaf, lowbush blueberry, mountain cranberry, and a tender pistil among the species typically found. Gleason Brook, which features lush forests and a beautiful waterfall trail known for early spring flowers, is another recommended location. Show more
What is the location of the Chickering Bog and which rare flowers grow there?
Located in East Montpelier, Vermont, Chickering Bog features a boardwalk leading visitors through one of the last wet meadows in central Vermont. The walking path is renowned for its rare and beautiful flora, which includes the pink lady-slipper flower, among other less common wildflowers. This tranquil location offers an opportunity for a peaceful hike while enjoying the splendor of nature. Show more
Which method is recommended for seeing Alpine meadow plants on Mount Mansfield?
To see Alpine meadow plants on Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield, visitors may take the Stowe Mountain Resort gondola or hike to the summit. Late summer tends to offer the best opportunity for spotting wildlife, including delicate diapensia, leatherleaf, lowbush blueberry, mountain cranberry, and a tender pistil. Besides plant species, the summit also provides visitors panoramic views and for a complete alpine experience. Show more
