Wildflowers

From Three Creek Lake south of town, to the lands of the Deschutes Land Trust along Whychus Creek, to Iron Mountain a short drive to the west in the Cascades, Sisters Country is painted each summer with the vibrant color of wildflowers. July tends to be the height of the season, so make sure your summer visit includes some time in the field.

Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva. A desert beauty growing in rocky, open soils. White to pink flowers burst from rosettes on the ground. Named for Meriwether Lewis whose samples grew 2 years after collecting (rediviva = restored to life)! 

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. A widespread native at home in sagebrush meadows and pine forests. Leaves are feathery and flowers grow on tall stems in an umbrella-like cluster. Each white flower has 3-5 rays and a yellow center. 

Arrowleaf balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata. One of our showiest wildflowers lighting up hillsides with sunny, disk-like faces. Grows in clumps with large wide triangular leaves that have heart-shaped bases. Yellow flowers are 2½-4 in. wide on 1-3 ft. stems. 

Red columbine, Aquilegia formosa. A stunningly delicate native that grows in moist, partly shaded areas. Drooping bright red and yellow flowers grow on stalks up to 4 ft. tall. Hummingbirds and butterflies love columbine nectar. 

Spotted mountain bells, Fritillaria atropurpurea. A beautifully delicate native lily, found in forests near openings. Brownish bell-shaped flowers have yellow-red spots and grow 5-25 in. tall. This uncommon lily takes a keen eye to find! 

Mariposa lily, Calochortus macrocarpus. A sagebrush jewel that blooms intensely lavender on tall 8-23 in. stems. Mariposa is ‘butterfly’ in 

Spanish, and kalo and chortos are Greek for ‘beautiful,’ and ‘grass.’ 

Scarlet gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata. Trumpet-shaped, bright red flowers on stems up to 3 ft. tall. Flower color may vary from scarlet, speckled with white, to pale pink, speckled with red. Grows in dry soils in woodland openings and meadows. 

Washington lily, Lilium washingtonianum. This native lily seems like it came straight from the flower shop with its classic shape, smell, and size! Large white to pink flowers on tall, 2-8 ft. stems. Grows in dry forests and is named for Martha Washington.