by Deb Ellis

Deb Ellis, the Essex Chapter Leader of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Master Gardener and Montclair Resident walks us through how to spot and appreciate native spring flowers that you’ll find all around northern New Jersey.

My love for wildflowers began as a young child. I was lucky to grow up near an apple orchard in Wisconsin where we wandered freely and discovered large patches of violets and trillium – what a thrill! No one had planted them – they were a gift from Mother Earth because native flowers grow naturally if they have not been disturbed. Here’s a secret: you can have this same thrill while walking through Brookdale and other local parks! Even in our very developed suburbs, a few of our natives manage to persist in the “wild,” despite adverse conditions and hungry deer. Of course, never dig up these treasures – just take a photo!

In March, I search out Skunk Cabbage in wet areas, and although you may not want to add it to your garden (it’s called Skunk Cabbage for a reason) its uniqueness reflects the incredible diversity of our native flowers. It is a harbinger of spring because it is “thermogenic” – it can warm the air around it and even melt snow! Although I haven’t seen Skunk Cabbage in Brookdale, you can find it along streams in Bonsal Preserve, Anderson Park and Yantacaw Brook.

Trout Lilies also love wet areas and there’s a fairly big patch in Anderson Park near Toney’s Brook and along the hiking trails in Eagle Rock Reservation. Their flowers look like small lilies and their mottled leaves look like trout scales.

In late April through mid-May, you can find Common Violet, our state flower, growing wild in many parks. Indeed, it grows so readily – in sun or shade -- that some people think of it as a weed. But actually it is extremely valuable ecologically because it is caterpillar food for 29 species of butterflies and moths including the Great Spangled Fritillary! As an added bonus, both the flowers and leaves of purple violets are edible. full of Vitamin C and A.

Last but not least, in April be on the lookout for Spring Beauty. Their leaves are as thin as blades of grass so they often blend into grassy areas of parks. The white flower with pink stripes is small and delicate, but scientists have documented that more pollinators visit it than any other spring flower! In a bit of plant magic, its dark pink stripes reflect UV light and guide pollinators to the center!

In addition to these flowers that can be found growing “wild,” Brookdale Park is lucky to have the Pollinator Garden a designated Monarch Waystation where many native spring flowers have been planted (and flowers for every other season too). Stop by on your park walks to see what is blooming and be amazed! I wish you happy hunting for our hardy spring natives! I hope that you will be as thrilled as I was as a small child to discover these beauties growing wild.

Go Deeper:
For more information about spring flowers native to New Jersey, check out our favorite local websites:
The Native Plant Society of New Jersey
Jersey Friendly Yards

Candied Violets, photo by The Spruce Eats

Kids Activity
Candied Violets,
from The Spruce Eats

Turn violets into a thing of edible beauty! It’s easy to candy them. These elegant garnishes look great on cupcakes and cakes.