Located in the heart of the Midwest, Indiana is renowned for its fascinating history, varied terrain, and lively culture. From its bustling cities to its charming small towns, there are also a stunning array of wildflowers in Indiana that adds color to its landscape.
Let’s go look at some of these local treasures that add a touch of magic and wonder to the already beautiful scenery of the state and find out more about them.
13 Wildflowers in Indiana
Indiana’s official state flower, the Peony, stands out with its opulent, colorful petals. Chosen in 1957, Peonies add a splash of color to Indiana from late spring to early summer, with hues varying from pure whites and soft pinks to deep reds.
Aside from the Peony, a myriad of wildflowers populate Indiana’s landscapes. As spring sets in, sights of Dutchman’s Breeches and Wild Geraniums are common. The summer season ushers in the Cardinal Flower and Black-eyed Susan, while autumn sees the arrival of New England Asters and Goldenrods. This diverse flora, spread across the various terrains of Indiana, contributes to its vibrant ecological tapestry and picturesque charm.
1. Virginia Bluebells
- Scientific Name: Mertensia virginica
- Zone: 3-8
- Where to see: Central Indiana and some parts of south
Season: early spring
The Virginia bluebells, commonly found in Indiana, are enchanting wildflowers that display unique clusters of trumpet-shaped blossoms that vary in shades of captivating blue, ranging from soft pastels to vibrant hues. With their slender stems and oval green leaves, Virginia bluebells add a touch of elegance to woodlands, meadows, and moist areas near streams and rivers throughout Indiana.
2. Yellow Wood Sorrel
- Scientific Name: Oxalis grandis
- Zone: 5-1
- Where to see: Central Indiana
- Season: late spring to early fall
Yellow Wood Sorrel is one of the most common wildflowers in Indiana. You can tell them apart by their thin, clover-like leaves and bright yellow flowers that make the scenery look happier. It grows in a variety of places, like fields, gardens, and the edges of woods, and it does best in places with loamy soil.
3. Heal-all
- Scientific Name: Prunella vulgaris
- Zone: 4-9
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: Late Spring to Late Fall
The Heal-all is one of the flowers that bloom from spring to fall and is distinguished by clusters of small, tubular blossoms in purple, blue, and pink. This plant has medical characteristics, earning it the nickname “Heal-all” because of its historical use in herbal treatments. They can also be found in a variety of settings throughout Indiana, including lawns, roadsides, and woodland edges.
4. Wild Geranium
- Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum
- Zone: 3-8
- Where to see: Throughout the state
- Season: late spring
The Wild Geranium is a self-seeding perennial, which means it reproduces by releasing its own seeds. This lovely plant showcases delicate, five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
Wild Geranium can be found in a variety of environments throughout Indiana, including lush, damp hardwood forests and shaded roadsides.
5. Butterfly weed
- Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa
- Zone: 3-9
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: Late spring to summer
The butterfly weed is a frequently observed wildflower in the state and serves as the primary host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. This species is quite eye-catching with its bunches of bright orange flowers and slender, lance-shaped leaves, and it can be spotted in open woods, fields, and roadsides. Due to its capability to attract many pollinators, it’s an essential component of the state’s ecological diversity.
6. Bloodroot
- Scientific Name: Sanguinaria canadensis
- Zone: 3-8
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: late March to April
The Bloodroot is a flower that gets its name from the blood-like red sap that flows out of its cut root when it’s cut. Early in the spring, this plant will begin to display solitary flowers that are pure white with vivid yellow centers.
Bloodroot can be discovered in hardwood woods and shady woodlands that are nutrient-rich, typically on stream banks. Native Americans also used the root of bloodroot for medicinal and dye purposes.
7. Evening Primrose
- Scientific Name: Oenothera biennis
- Zone: 4-9
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: June to September
The Evening Primroses are among the types of flowers that are able to flourish on the disturbed soils of prairies, old fields, roadsides, and other sunny locations that range from medium to dry. It’s nocturnal pollinators, such as moths, that are attracted to the flowers of this plant since they open at night and close during the day. Evening Primrose also has bright yellow blooms with four petals and a pleasant scent.
8. Fire Pink
- Scientific Name: Silene virginica
- Zone: 4-9
- Where to see: Northeast, Central and South central Indiana
- Season: April to June
The Fire pink is a type of flower that is well-known in the state of Indiana for its brilliant red hue. These blooms can be found in dry, rocky settings such as open forests and grasslands across Indiana.
In addition to its attractive look, this plant is significant because hummingbirds, which are essential to the process of pollination, are attracted to its nectar-rich blossoms.
9. Woodland Sunflower
- Scientific Name: Helianthus microcephalus
- Zone: 4-8
- Where to see: West central to South
- Season: Mid-summer to autumn
The Woodland Sunflower is a species of sunflower that does well in drier habitats such as dry open forests, sparsely forested bluffs, savannas, open sandy or rocky woodlands, and the like. These sunflowers have bright yellow petals that surround a dark brown center, which is what draws in a large number of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
10. Asiatic Dayflower
- Scientific Name: Commelina communis
- Zone: 5-8
- Where to see: West Central
- Season: July to October
The Asiatic Dayflower is among the flowers you might see in Indiana that last only for a day, hence the name “Dayflower.” The flowers of this plant are dainty and blue-petaled, and it is an annual creeper that can become an invasive species in certain regions. You can find this Asiatic dayflower growing in disturbed areas, in gardens, and along roadsides.
11. Large-Flowered Bellwort
- Scientific Name: Uvularia grandiflora
- Zone: 3-9
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: April to May
The Large-Flowered bellwort is distinguished by its distinctive bell-shaped bloom, which dangles gently from its thin stem and gives the plant a wilted appearance. Flowers of this species are typically yellow in color and can be found all throughout the state on slopes that have a high moisture content. It’s also renowned as one of the species that white-tailed deer frequently seek out.
12. Oxeye Daisy
- Scientific Name: Leucanthemum vulgare
- Zone: 3-8
- Where to see: North to Southeast Indiana
- Season: May to September
The oxeye daisy is one of the species that have the potential to rapidly spread and outcompete other native plant species, which can have a negative impact on the biodiversity of the ecosystem. The oxeye daisy is easily identifiable due to its unusual appearance, which is created by its white petals that surround a bright yellow center.
From the north to the southeast of Indiana, you can find the Oxeye Daisy growing in a variety of environments, such as meadows, pastures, and roadside ditches.
13. Spiderwort
- Scientific Name: Tradescantia virginiana
- Zone: 4-9
- Where to see: Statewide
- Season: Spring to Fall
The Spiderwort is recognized for its flowers that bloom in the morning and close in the evening, which makes it a time indicator. This plant has clusters of three-petaled flowers in blue, pink, and purple and can be found in a range of settings, including thickets and meadows, as well as along roadsides and woodland margins.
It has been known that the spiderwors’s root can heal wounds, and the blossoms have even been ground into a powder to treat nosebleeds.
Louise writes about a wide variety of topics including wildlife, animals, and nature. She’s developed a growing interest in animal biology and categorization due to her fascination with how they interact with one another and with their surroundings.