With the veil of winter pulled away, the colors of spring and summer are now on display. The appearance of wildflowers around the state begins in April and continues through the following months. Many of these wildflowers can be seen at Nature Conservancy preserves.

Black Mountain Natural Area
Dummerston

Mountain laurel is the June attraction of this southeast Vermont preserve. The pink-streaked white flowers of the mountain laurel are common in Massachusetts and further south, but Black Mountain is one of the few places it can be found in Vermont.

Chickering Bog Natural Area
Calais/East Montpelier

An impressive variety of unusual orchids like dragon’s mouth, grass-pink, and rose pogonia flower at this preserve in June through early July. Visitors should also keep an eye out for sundew, bunchberry, pitcher plants, pink lady’s slipper, and blue flag iris.

Eshqua Bog Natural Area
Hartland

Mid-June is the time to head to this small preserve in Hartland to see an amazing display of showy lady’s slippers.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom): Pitcher plant in bloom, rose pogonia, showy lady's slipper © Sarah Wakefield/The Nature Conservancy.