Spring Wildflowers in Paradise Meadows

As the snow quickly melts in the subalpine, it’s a great time to dust off the hiking boots and look for spring wildflowers in Paradise Meadows. The Paradise Meadows trailhead gives easy access to subalpine meadows and a variety of hiking loops in Strathcona Provincial Park.

For those looking for something easy, a short walk around the meadows on a mix of boardwalk and level gravel trails is ideal for families with small children. This loop also provides a good introduction to many of the common wildflowers in the park. Hikers looking for a workout can go further into the park on the Lake Helen Mackenzie loop. This trail is around 8km in length and has some changes in elevation. Longer loops deeper into the park are possible as well.

Searching for Wildflowers in Paradise Meadows

Here’s a closer look at five easy to identify subalpine wildflowers that you can expect to see in the meadows after snow melt. These species can persist well into the summer. However, the “spring” flowers are definitely at their peak in June through to mid-July. Pink and white flowers dominate this first bloom.

White Mountain Marsh-Marigold (Caltha leptosepala)

Found in wet seeps and along stream edges, the White Mountain Marsh-Marigold (Caltha leptosepala) is a striking member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its large, white, petal-like sepals surround a dense cluster of yellow stamens, giving it a daisy-like appearance. Unlike true petals, these sepals are thick and waxy—an adaptation to the cold, wet environments it inhabits.

At a quick glance, this flower may look like globeflower (see below) but there are some distinct differences. The bases of the white, petal-like sepals of this wildflower often have a blue tinge. The leaves of this marsh-marigold are notable as well. The broad, somewhat heart-shaped leaves are waxy-leathery to the touch, an adaptation to the timing of its bloom just after the snow melt. Also known as alpine white marsh-marigold, this species is a western North American specialty, thriving in the saturated soils of alpine and subalpine wetlands.

Globeflower (Trollius laxus)

Globeflowers (Trollius laxus) are beautiful early spring wildflowers in Paradise Meadows. Their beautiful, papery blooms—creamy white to greenish-white—seem almost too perfect. The showy flowers are actually composed of numerous large, white petal-like sepals and smaller, yellow petals. Look for the yellow petals visible under the dense cluster of bright yellow stamens. Globeflowers prefer moist, open meadows and are usually common near patches of melting snow. Their showy blooms attract early pollinators, including flies and beetles.

Compare the leaves of globeflower and mountain white marsh-marigold. The leaves of globeflower are palmately-divided into five main segments. The edges of the leaves are further divided and the toothed edges give it a soft, almost fern-like look. Noticing the difference between the leaves of these somewhat similar-looking wildflowers is one way to tell them apart. Both globeflower and marsh-marigold leaves contain ranunculin which can cause chemical blisters in the tongue and throat if eaten.

Western Bog-Laurel (Kalmia microphylla)

This low-growing shrub is a splash of pink in boggy subalpine flats. The plant’s star-shaped flowers are arranged in tight clusters—each bloom is a delicate five-pointed star with darker pink markings. Note the ten stamens, each tucked into a pocket in the flower petals. When an insect visits the flower, these “spring-loaded” stamens trigger, dusting it with pollen. A member of the heath family, Western Bog-Laurel (Kalmia microphylla) has leathery, evergreen leaves and thrives in acidic, waterlogged soils.

While beautiful, western bog-laurel is also toxic—an important reminder that not all that is lovely is safe to touch or taste. The leaves look superficially similar to the leaves of Labrador tea. However, bog-laurel leaves contains andromedotoxin, a glycoside. Ingesting the leaves lowers blood pressure and causes symptoms including difficulty breathing, dizziness, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

White Mountain-Heather (Cassiope mertensiana)

A quintessential subalpine shrub, White Mountain-Heather (Cassiopeia mertensiana) forms dense mats across rocky slopes and moist meadows. Its tiny, bell-shaped flowers dangle from the tips of the branches, pure white with a hint of pink at the tips. Note the reddish sepals at the base of the flower. Belonging to the heath family (Ericaceae), this evergreen plant is well adapted to harsh alpine conditions. The tough, scale-like leaves arranged in four rows conserve moisture and resist frost. While white mountain-heather is small and compact, this species is very slow growing. Individual plants may be more than 20 years old!

Pink Mountain Heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis)

Often growing alongside its white-flowered cousin, Pink Mountain-Heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis) adds a splash of vibrant magenta-pink to the subalpine landscape. Its urn-shaped flowers cluster tightly at the tips of wiry stems, contrasting beautifully with the dark green, needle-like leaves. This species prefers slightly drier microsites and is a reliable indicator of well-drained soils. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s a hardy survivor, often among the first to bloom as snow melts.

Read more about three species of heathers found in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Spring Wildflowers in Paradise Meadows: Worth Looking For

If you need a little extra incentive to make the drive up to the subalpine, make an effort to search for these beautiful spring wildflowers in Paradise Meadows. All of these early blooming flowers persist well into July (and sometimes later). After you’ve appreciated the larger landscape from boardwalk around the meadows or on the trail out to Lake Helen Mackenzie, cast your view downward. Make a note of the subalpine wildflowers that are in bloom and point them out to your fellow hikers! Remember to take only photographs and leave no trace of your visit.