FG-0068 · Wildflowers · 6 species
Wildflowers of New York
By Derek Gauger · Updated
Overview
New York's wildflower year runs from spring ephemerals in the hardwood forests through summer meadows to a long, colorful fall of asters and goldenrods. The Adirondacks, Catskills, and Finger Lakes each add their own character.
This guide covers common and iconic New York wildflowers — how to recognize them and when they bloom. Photograph the flower and leaves and use the app to confirm any bloom you find.
Key species to know
FG-0068.01
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
April–June
Nodding red-and-yellow flowers with backward-pointing spurs, dancing on thin stems over lacy leaves. A hummingbird favorite of rocky woods.
Habitat: Rocky woods, ledges, and shaded slopes.
FG-0068.02
Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum
April–May
A nodding, yellow, lily-like spring flower with swept-back petals above mottled, trout-patterned leaves. Carpets the forest floor in early spring.
Habitat: Rich, moist deciduous woods.
FG-0068.03
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
August–October
Bushy clusters of purple, yellow-centered daisies that close out the season in a blaze of fall color, feeding late pollinators.
Habitat: Meadows, roadsides, and moist field edges.
FG-0068.04
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
ToxicJuly–September
Tall spikes of intense scarlet, tubular flowers along late-summer streambanks — one of the most vivid reds in the eastern flora. Pollinated by hummingbirds.
Habitat: Streambanks, wet meadows, and seeps.
Lobelias are toxic if eaten. Enjoy in place and do not consume.
FG-0068.05
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
July–September
A mint-family wildflower with ragged, lavender pom-pom flower heads and a minty scent, humming with bees and hummingbirds in summer meadows.
Habitat: Meadows, prairies, and open woodland edges.
FG-0068.06
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
June–September
A familiar daisy with golden-yellow rays around a dark brown dome, common in meadows and along roads. Bristly stems and leaves.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, and open ground.
Through the seasons
- April–May: spring ephemerals like trout lily and columbine bloom before the forest canopy closes.
- June–August: meadow flowers such as bergamot and black-eyed Susan peak.
- September–October: New England asters and goldenrods light up roadsides and fields.
Questions
- When do New York wildflowers bloom?
- Spring ephemerals peak in April and May, meadow flowers dominate June through August, and asters and goldenrods carry a long, colorful season into October.
- How can I identify a New York wildflower?
- Note the flower color and shape, leaves, and habitat, then take a photo and use an app like Spotter to identify the species and its bloom season.
From Field Notes
Not sure what you found?
Take a photo with Spotter for the name, field marks, look-alikes and safety notes in seconds.
In this guide
- Species
- 6
- Edible
- 0
- Toxic
- 1
- Region
- New York