Pure Michigan: 40 Native Flowers & Wildflowers that Define the State
Michigan is situated in the Great Lakes region and provides lots of diverse habitats for flowers and wildflowers. The Great Lake State provides lots of wetland and woodland areas as well as open grasslands. In this article, we’ll explore 40 Michigan native flowers and wildflowers.
Michigan Native Range & Growing Zones
Michigan is an Upper Midwestern state in the Great Lakes region. It has a cooler climate with forests and mountain areas in northern and western regions. Michigan’s climates correspond to USDA Zones 4 to 6. Northern areas correspond to Zone 4, while southern areas correspond to Zones 5 and 6.
How are Michigan’s Native Flowers Defined?
Michigan’s native flowers are defined as species that were growing in Michigan before Europeans arrived in the 17th Century. Many of Michigan’s native flowers were used for food and medicine by Native American tribes. When the Europeans began to settle, they brought new plants that became naturalized across Michigan.
40 Beautiful Types of Native Michigan Flowers
1) Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is one of the most recognizable and iconic wildflowers in the United States. These beautiful Michigan native wildflowers come from the Rudbeckia genus in the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae).
Black-eyed Susan flowers have bright yellow ray petals that surround dark brown central florets. Black-eyed Susan enjoys a long blooming period from early summer until the first frost arrives in the fall.
| Scientific Name: | Rudbeckia hirta |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 3 ft |
2) Bottle Gentian
Bottle gentian flowers are herbaceous perennials from the Gentianaceae family. These clump-forming plants are named for their bottle-shaped flowers that remain closed. These blue flowers emerge at the tip of the stem from late summer until fall.
Bottle gentian flowers thrive in moist, fertile soils in shady woodlands. Once these plants finish flowering, their narrow leaves turn from medium green to golden yellow.
| Scientific Name: | Gentiana andrewsii |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 7 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Partial sun |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
3) Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is a perennial species of milkweed from the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). These Michigan native flowering plants are popular with butterflies, hence their common name. Butterfly weed is also an important food plant for the larvae of several butterflies and moths.
Butterfly weed produces several clusters of orange, red, or yellow flowers throughout the summer. Each flower has five petals and five sepals.
| Scientific Name: | Asclepias tuberosa |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
4) Common Evening Primrose
Common evening primrose is a beautiful biennial from the Onagraceae family. These tall plants produce yellow flowers from early summer until fall. Each flower only lasts for one day but gives off a lemony scent.
Common evening primrose grows throughout central and eastern North America. These plants tolerate full sun or partial shade and grow best in well-draining soils.
| Scientific Name: | Oenothera biennis |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 5 ft |
5) Common Milkweed
Common milkweed is a perennial wildflower common across much of North America. These plants come from the Asclepias genus of the dogbane family. Common milkweed provides food for over 450 different insect species.
These Michigan native flowers produce rounded clusters of fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers. If any part of the plant is cut, common milkweed produces a milky sap that can cause skin irritation.
| Scientific Name: | Asclepias syriaca |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 ft |
6) Dwarf Lake Iris
The dwarf lake iris is a beardless perennial iris that is also Michigan’s official state wildflower. This beautiful iris grows on the shores of the Great Lakes, especially Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, it’s classed as Vulnerable.
Dwarf lake irises have blue or violet flowers with yellow and white markings on the petals. Each plant produces between 8 and 12 light green fan-like leaves.
| Scientific Name: | Iris lacustris |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 7 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 6 inches |
7) Eastern Red Columbine
Also known as Canadian columbine, eastern red columbine is a herbaceous perennial from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). These attractive columbines grow throughout eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers produce red, nodding flowers with a crown of distinctive spurs from late spring to early summer. Each flower head has several yellow inner petals surrounding a group of prominent yellow stamens.
| Scientific Name: | Aquilegia canadensis |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 ft |
8) False Sunflower
False sunflowers are herbaceous perennials from the daisy family that grow across central and eastern North America. These plants produce several bright yellow flowers with yellowish-brown central florets. The flowers bloom throughout the summer and end in the fall.
These Michigan native flowers thrive in woodlands and also grow along roadsides. They prefer dry soils and full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
| Scientific Name: | Heliopsis helianthoides |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 6 ft |
9) Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongues are herbaceous perennials from the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). Foxglove beardtongues thrive in prairies and open woodlands across eastern North America.
Foxglove beardtongues have tubular white flowers with five lobes; two on the upper lip and three on the bottom lip. These plants bloom from late spring until midsummer.
| Scientific Name: | Penstemon digitalis |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 5 ft |
10) Great Blue Lobelia
Also known as blue cardinal flowers, great blue lobelias are attractive upright perennials from the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). Great blue lobelias grow in woodlands and wetland habitats across central and eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers produce flower spikes covered in dark blue or violet tubular flowers with two lips. The upper lips have three lobes while the lower lips have two lobes.
| Scientific Name: | Lobelia siphilitica |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 ft |
11) Harebell
Harebells are elegant upright perennials from the bellflower family. These plants are a type of bluebell native to the Northern Hemisphere. Harebells thrive in nutrient-poor soils in grassland and woodland habitats.
These Michigan native flowers bear their pale blue to violet bell-shaped flowers on slender stalks. These stalks easily bend under the weight of the flowers. Harebells flower for several months from summer until fall.
| Scientific Name: | Campanula rotundifolia |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 6 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
12) Hoary Vervain
Hoary vervain is a perennial wildflower from the verbena family (Verbenaceae). It grows in wildflower meadows and prairies across the central United States. These flowers are exceptionally drought-tolerant and thrive even in dry areas.
Hoary vervain produces spikes of purple, pink, or white tubular flowers from spring until fall. As the plant grows, the spike develops clusters of tiny nut-like seeds above the remaining flowers.
| Scientific Name: | Verbena stricta |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 7 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 4 ft |
13) Indian Pipe
Indian pipe plants are unusual perennials from the heather family (Ericaceae). These strange plants are widespread across much of North America and thrive in damp, shady woodlands.
Indian pipe plants look like waxy white fungi and produce a single flower stem. As these plants age, they may develop black spots. The stems are curled over to protect the tiny flowers within.
| Scientific Name: | Monotropa uniflora |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 4 to 12 inches |
14) Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack-in-the-Pulpit is an unusual wildflower that resembles a pitcher plant or an orchid. These strange tuberous perennials come from the arum family (Araceae). Jack-in-the-Pulpit thrives in shady woodlands across eastern North America.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants have a purple or green hooded spathe that encloses a spadix of tiny purple flowers. Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants also have two large leaves that are split into three leaflets.
| Scientific Name: | Arisaema triphyllum |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
15) Marsh Marigold
Marsh marigolds are herbaceous perennials that thrive in wetland habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. These bright wildflowers are also known as kingcups and come from the buttercup family.
These Michigan native flowers bloom throughout spring and summer before dying back to a few buds above the soil during fall and winter. Marsh marigolds have bright yellow cup-shaped flowers that look similar to buttercups.
| Scientific Name: | Caltha palustris |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 7 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
16) Mayapple
Also known as American mandrakes, mayapples are hardy herbaceous perennials from the barberry family (Berberidaceae). Mayapples are native to shady woodlands throughout eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers produce clumps of large, umbrella-like leaves with five to nine lobes. Each leaf can be up to 12 inches wide and only unfurls once the mayapple reaches its mature height. Mayapples produce small, nodding white flowers in the spring.
| Scientific Name: | Podophyllum peltatum |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
17) Meadow Phlox
Meadow phlox is a clump-forming perennial from the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). As its name suggests, meadow phlox grows best in meadows and prairies across eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers produce dense clusters of tubular, aromatic pink or purple flowers from late spring until fall. These flowers have a sweet scent and are popular with pollinators.
| Scientific Name: | Phlox maculata |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 ft |
18) New England Aster
New England asters are some of North America’s most popular and recognizable wildflowers. These colorful wildflowers come from the aster family and are widespread across central and eastern North America.
New England asters have small, daisy-like purple flowers with bright yellow central florets. These flowers are borne on hairy stems above lance-shaped leaves. New England asters thrive in loose, dry soils.
| Scientific Name: | Symphyotrichum novae-angliae |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 6 ft |
19) Obedient Plant
Also known as false dragonhead plants, obedient plants are herbaceous perennials from the mint family (Lamiaceae). Obedient plants grow in a range of habitats including meadows, prairies, and woodlands.
These Michigan native flowering plants produce tall spikes of tubular pink flowers from midsummer until fall. The flowers look similar to those of snapdragons and tend to stay in position, hence their common name.
| Scientific Name: | Physostegia virginiana |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 ft |
20) Ohio Spiderwort
Ohio spiderwort is a colorful herbaceous perennial from the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). This species thrives across central and eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers have bluish-green, glaucous stems and slender, arching leaves. During spring and summer, Ohio spiderworts produce blue flowers that only last for one day. The leaves are edible when cooked while the flowers and stems can be eaten raw.
| Scientific Name: | Tradescantia ohiensis |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 ft |
21) Pale Beardtongue
Pale beardtongues are a type of beardtongue that grows throughout central and eastern North America. These herbaceous perennial wildflowers come from the plantain family. Pale beardtongues thrive in dry woodlands, rocky areas, and roadsides or railway tracks.
Pale beardtongues have lance-shaped leaves and upright stems of pale pink or white tubular flowers. Pale beardtongues bloom from May to July.
| Scientific Name: | Penstemon pallidus |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1.5 to 2.5 ft |
22) Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflowers are one of the most iconic and popular types of coneflowers. These herbaceous perennials come from the daisy family and grow throughout eastern North America. Purple coneflowers thrive in nutrient-poor soils on America’s prairies and plains.
These Michigan native flowers have purple ray petals surrounding orange-brown central florets. Purple coneflowers were used extensively in Native American medicine and can be dried to make tea.
| Scientific Name: | Echinacea purpurea |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 5 ft |
23) Rose Mallow
Also known as swamp rose mallows, rose mallows are hardy, woody perennials from the mallow family (Malvaceae). Rose mallow grows in wetland habitats and riverbanks throughout the eastern United States.
Rose mallow blooms from midsummer to fall and produce large, showy flowers. These flowers are usually white or pink and can be up to 8 inches wide. Each flower lasts for a couple of days.
| Scientific Name: | Hibiscus moscheutos |
| Growing Zones: | 5 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 7 ft |
24) Rough Blazing Star
Rough blazing star is a beautiful herbaceous perennial from the aster family. These plants produce stems covered in fluffy purple flowers. Rough blazing star also has slender leaves with a texture similar to sandpaper, hence its common name.
These Michigan native flowers thrive across central and eastern North America. It grows in several habitats including dry prairies and pine woodlands.
| Scientific Name: | Liatris aspera |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 5 ft |
25) Showy Goldenrod
Showy goldenrod is a tall herbaceous perennial from the aster family. Its preferred habitats include dry prairies and open woodlands across the central and eastern United States.
These Michigan native flowers produce tall stems covered in clusters of tiny golden-yellow flowers. The stems have a reddish tinge to them, providing extra color. Showy goldenrod blooms for about a month during summer and fall.
| Scientific Name: | Solidago speciosa |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 5 ft |
26) Smooth Phlox
Smooth phlox is an attractive herbaceous perennial that grows across the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It comes from the phlox family (Polemoniaceae) and thrives in moist prairies and woodlands.
Smooth phlox produces dense clusters of purplish-pink flowers in spring and summer. The flowers have a lovely sweet scent and bloom for several weeks.
| Scientific Name: | Phlox glaberrima |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 4 ft |
27) Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed is a fragrant herbaceous perennial from the dogbane family. Swamp milkweed thrives in wetland habitats such as swamps and river meadows throughout the eastern United States.
These Michigan native flowers produce dense clusters of vanilla-scented pink flowers from July until August. Like other milkweeds, it produces milky sap when damaged but is important for butterflies.
| Scientific Name: | Asclepias incarnata |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 6 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 ft |
28) Swamp Rose
Swamp roses are hardy deciduous shrubs from the rose family (Rosaceae). These attractive roses grow in marshes and other wetland habitats across eastern North America.
These Michigan native flowers have small, dark green leaves with toothed edges. These leaves turn red during the fall. During late spring, swamp roses produce single rose pink flowers that have a strong fragrance.
| Scientific Name: | Rosa palustris |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 6 ft |
29) Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells are beautiful herbaceous perennials from the borage family (Boraginaceae). During the spring, Virginia bluebells have clusters of flower buds that open to reveal trumpet-shaped nodding flowers. These flowers are initially pink but then turn pale blue or violet.
Virginia bluebells also have blueish-green oval-shaped leaves. These gorgeous plants grow in moist, fertile woodlands across eastern North America.
| Scientific Name: | Mertensia virginica |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
30) Wild Bergamot
Commonly known as bee balm, wild bergamot is a herbaceous perennial from the mint family. Wild bergamot is widespread across most of North America but prefers prairies and open woodlands with dry, fertile soils.
These native Michigan flowers bloom throughout the summer, producing clusters of tubular lilac or lavender flowers with white bracts. These flowers produce a strong scent that attracts pollinators.
| Scientific Name: | Monarda fistulosa |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 4 ft |
31) Wild Blue Phlox
Also known as woodland phlox, wild blue phlox is native throughout eastern North America. These pungent perennials grow in deciduous woodlands and come from the Polemoniaceae family.
Wild blue phlox covers the ground in mats of blue or lilac flowers. Wild blue phlox flowers have five lobed petals that form a star shape. Wild blue phlox also has lance-shaped leaves and sticky, hairy stems.
| Scientific Name: | Phlox divaricata |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 10 to 20 inches |
32) Wild Geranium
Also known as spotted geraniums, wild geraniums are native to eastern North America. These herbaceous perennials come from the Geraniaceae family and thrive in dry or moist woodland habitats.
These Michigan native flowers have pale pink or lilac cup-shaped flowers with yellow stamens. Faint red veins radiate from the white centers of each petal. Wild geraniums also have green leaves with three to five lobes.
| Scientific Name: | Geranium maculatum |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
33) Wild Ginger
Also known as Canadian snakeroot, wild ginger is a herbaceous perennial from the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). These clump-forming plants spread via rhizomes and thrive in shady deciduous woodlands across eastern North America.
Wild ginger has distinctive dark green, kidney-shaped leaves that can be up to six inches wide. Wild ginger also has small purple-brown flowers that are mostly hidden among the leaves.
| Scientific Name: | Asarum canadense |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 6 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 6 to 12 inches |
34) Wild Indigo
Also known as blue false indigo, wild indigo is an attractive herbaceous perennial common across central and eastern North America. Wild indigo comes from the legume family (Fabaceae) and thrives in open meadows or along woodland borders.
Wild indigo produces upright flowering stems laden with blue or purple pea-like flowers. Wild indigo blooms for a few weeks but retains interest throughout the year thanks to its medium-green trifoliate foliage.
| Scientific Name: | Baptisia australis |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 ft |
35) Wild Lupine
Also known as old maid’s bonnets, wild lupine is a herbaceous perennial from the legume family. Wild lupines produce colorful spikes of blue, pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers from mid-spring until midsummer. These nectar-rich flowers attract legions of pollinators.
Wild lupines are common across eastern North America. These perennials thrive in meadows, prairies, and sandy dunes. Like other members of the pea family, wild lupines can enrich the soil with nitrogen.
| Scientific Name: | Lupinus perennis |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
36) Wild Petunia
Wild petunias are charming herbaceous perennials from the acanthus family (Acanthaceae). Wild petunias are common throughout the eastern United States and are frequently grown as native ornamental plants.
Wild petunias have lavender or lilac tubular flowers that can be up to three inches long. The flowers have five rounded lobes. These Michigan native flowers bloom from spring until fall, providing interest throughout the year. Wild petunias also have hairy stems and leaves.
| Scientific Name: | Ruellia humilis |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to fall |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
37) Wild Quinine
Also called American feverfew or prairie dock, wild quinine is a herbaceous perennial from the aster or daisy family. It grows throughout the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States and prefers meadows and prairies.
Wild quinine plants produce toothed leaves and several umbrella-like clusters of tiny white flowers. These flowers bloom from late spring to late summer and have an attractive, slightly medicinal scent.
| Scientific Name: | Parthenium integrifolium |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Mature Height: | 2 to 4 ft |
38) Wild Sarsaparilla
Wild sarsaparilla is a flowering perennial from the Araliaceae family. It’s also known as false sarsaparilla or rabbit root. Wild sarsaparilla spreads via its underground creeping stems.
These Michigan native flowers have large oval-shaped leaves with finely toothed edges. From spring to summer, these plants produce three globe-like clusters of tiny white flowers. These flowers are borne on separate stems from the leaves.
| Scientific Name: | Aralia nudicaulis |
| Growing Zones: | 4 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
39) Yellow Lady’s Slipper
Also known as moccasin flowers, yellow lady’s slipper orchids are perennial flowers from the orchid family (Orchidaceae). Yellow lady’s slipper orchids thrive in wetland habitats such as fens, marshes, and moist woodlands across North America.
Yellow lady’s slipper flowers have a yellow slipper-like pouch with red spots inside. These bulbous pouches are protected by three green petals that are often slightly twisted. Yellow lady’s slipper orchids also have up to five leaves that have fine hairs.
| Scientific Name: | Cypripedium parviflorum |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 7 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring to summer |
| Light Requirements: | Partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 1 to 2 ft |
40) Yellow Trout Lily
Also known as yellow dogtooth violets, yellow trout lilies are showy members of the lily family (Liliaceae). These low-growing perennials are widespread throughout eastern North America. Yellow trout lily flowers bloom in mid-spring, opening in the morning and closing in the evening.
Yellow trout lilies have large, bright yellow flowers with three petals and three sepals that are curved backward. Yellow trout lilies have grayish-green leaves with mottled markings that resemble the skin of a trout.
| Scientific Name: | Erythronium americanum |
| Growing Zones: | 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 inches |
Michigan Native Flowers FAQs:
What is Michigan’s State Flower?
Michigan’s official state flower is the apple blossom, particularly the flowers of the sweet crabapple (Malus coronaria). The apple blossom has been Michigan’s official state flower since 1897. Michigan’s official state wildflower is the dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris), which was officially recognized in 1998.
What Flowers is Michigan Known for?
Michigan is known for its many beautiful wildflowers, including the dwarf lake iris; the official state wildflower. Michigan is also known for wildflowers like black-eyed Susan, columbine, and phlox.
Can You Pick Wildflowers in Michigan?
In Michigan, it’s illegal to pick wildflowers growing on public lands such as highways, roadsides, and state parks. Although you can pick wildflowers on private land, you must obtain the landowner’s permission first. Picking Endangered species is also illegal.
Where Can I Find Native Flowers in Michigan?
Michigan’s native wildflowers bloom in various habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and highways. Michigan’s native flowers are relatively cold-hardy due to growing in Zones 4 to 6. Some species also grow in the state’s mountainous regions.
Wrapping Up
Michigan’s dazzling array of beautiful wildflowers is one of the state’s great botanical treasures. Some of Michigan’s most beautiful native flowers include apple blossom and the dwarf lake iris. Michigan’s native flowers thrive in USDA Zones 4 to 6. Remember that it’s illegal to pick native flowers unless you’re on private land and have the landowner’s permission.