Many of the flowers native to Puget Lowland forests have very small blossoms. Seeing their details requires magnification, hence the photos of July flowers in this post are close-ups.
Late Bloomers
By July, some flowers in the backyard forest have faded, but others are just peaking or beginning to bloom.
Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) — I wonder what insects pollinate the shrub’s miniscule blossoms, and if they do their work at night? Pathfinder (Adenocaulon bicolor) — Its flowers are small and sparse, but it earns its place in the backyard forest by filling the niche otherwise occupied by non-native Wall Lettuce and Nipplewort.California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica) – This forb has spread northward and become naturalized in the Puget Lowlands. One climate model predicts that our climate in 60 years will be similar to that of today’s in the Sierra foothills east of Fresno, California.Watson’s Willow Herb (Epilobium cilliatum) — This gangly forb spreads like mad, and lacks showy blossoms, but it is native, so I let it be. I think of it as our local cousin of Fireweed.White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — According to the Burke Herbarium, our region has both native and introduced populations.
Persisters
The flowering season continues in July for some Puget Lowland native flowers.
Foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata) — If it can find enough moisture in the soil, it continues to bloom in July. Western Spring Beauty (Claytonia sibirica) Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – This shrub has inconspicuous blossoms and a relatively long flowering season.
What’s the Deal with Yellow Flowers?
In the Puget Lowlands, yellow blossoms are almost exclusively found on non-native plants. Why is that? Is it somehow a result of evolution or just random chance?
Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) — This invasive plant is but one of many weeds with bright yellow flowers. Large-leaved Avens (Geum macrophyllum) — One of the very few native plants in the Puget Lowland forests with yellow flowers, it is nearing the end of its flowering season in July. Soon the sticky seeds will be clinging to the clothing and fur of passers-by.
New Arrivals in the Backyard Forest
It is always a surprise (not always good) when a new plant appears in the backyard forest. Where did it come from and how did it get there?
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum) — Another yellow-blossomed invasive plant, which I was alarmed to see blooming in the midst of a patch of Douglas Aster. I removed it immediately and disposed of it in the yard waste bin, hoping to never encounter its likes again.Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea Alpina) — I was delighted to spot a half dozen plants growing in a wet spot next to a trail. Did it arrive by seed on someone’s shoe, or had it been there all along, somewhere nearby, hidden beneath other plants?
