Flowers (Medium to Moist Soil)

These wildflowers are well suited to Manitoba's medium and moist prairies and woodlands. Some are more versatile and do well in dry or wet habitats, too.

Medium soils range from well-drained to somewhat poorly drained and may consist of sandy loam or clay with a thick, dark, nutrient-rich upper layer. Vegetation is dense and ranges from low (ground cover) to tall (>5 feet).

Moist soils may be subject to periodic flooding during spring melt or after heavy rains but do not remain water-logged. They are typically found in the transition zone between wetland and upland and can vary between clay, silt, loam and sand. The dominant graminoids, or grass-like plants, in these habitats are grasses (not sedges).

Canada Mayflower

Familiarity breeds comfort with this common plant of forest floors.

Many-flowered Aster

The flowers provide a late-season nectar source for a wide range of insects.

Tall Meadow Rue

Attractive in both the vegetative and flowering stages.

Swamp Lousewort

A hemiparasite on asters, native grasses and some non-native grasses.

New England Aster

Bold and beautiful. An important late-season food source for many insects.

Evening Primrose

Large yellow flowers with heart-shaped petals and a wonderful fruity aroma.

Sweet-Scented Bedstraw

The sprawling, shade-loving nature of this bedstraw makes it great ground cover for woodland areas.

Honewort

Honewort is ranked S1 (critically imperiled) in Manitoba where it reaches the northwest extent of its range.

Golden Alexander

Yellow dill-like flower clusters appear in spring and attract a wide variety of insects.

Smooth Aster

Smooth aster brings welcomed colour and an important source of pollen and nectar to the late summer/fall landscape.

Purple Prairie Clover

Incredibly attractive flowers and aromatic leaves.

Harebell

Continues flowering throughout the summer.

Prairie Dandelion

Leaves are thick and rubbery and seed puffs are pure white.

Pink-Flowered Onion

The star-like flowers are just as flavourful as the precious bulbs.