Wildflowers in Montana: A Guide to 50 Common Species

Montana’s vast prairies mountains and forests are home to hundreds of beautiful wildflowers. The diversity of climates and ecosystems in the state allows many types of flowers to thrive. From low elevations to alpine tundra, splashes of color dot the landscape in spring and summer.

This article will spotlight 50 common wildflowers found in Montana, including both native species and naturalized non-native species.

Most Frequent Wildflowers in Montana

After analyzing data from various sources, here are some of the most frequently occurring wildflowers in Montana:

• Yarrow – Found in many habitats up to 10,000 ft elevation. Blooms from March to October.

• Glacier Lily – Grows in mountainous regions and subalpine areas up to 11,000 ft elevation Blooms in spring

• Fireweed – Often the first plant to establish after fires. Found up to timberline. Blooms summer to fall.

• Arrowleaf Balsamroot – Native sunflower species preferring higher elevations. Blooms in spring.

• Bluebells – Seen at high elevations up to 12,000 ft. Bell-shaped blue, purple or pink flowers.

• Indian Paintbrush – Bright red flowers on prairies and foothills. Blooms in spring.

• Wild Bergamot – Used to make tea. Lavender flowers in summer. Grows up to 5 ft tall.

• Goldenrod – Over 120 species in Montana. Important late summer nectar source.

• Sunflower – Iconic yellow blooms dot fields and roadsides in summer and fall.

• Violet – Randomly appears in lawns and fields. Early bloomer attracting bees.

50 Wildflower Species in Montana

Below are 50 of the most common wildflowers found across the diverse regions of Montana:

Yellow Wildflowers

• Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) – Sunflower-like yellow blooms in spring on hills and prairies.

• Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) – Delicate yellow flowers resembling tulips. Grows at high elevations.

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Over 120 species with bright golden clustered blooms in late summer/fall.

• Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) – Showy blooms fade to wispy seed heads. Seen on rocky soils.

• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – Iconic yellow flower heads lining fields and roads in summer.

• Western Wallflower (Erysimum asperum) – Clusters of bright yellow flowers top tall stems in spring.

Blue & Purple Wildflowers

• Bluebells (Mertensia spp.) – Bell-shaped blue flowers on slim stems. Seen at high elevations.

• Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) – Delicate sky blue flowers with yellow centers. Blooms in spring.

• Common Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) – Bell-shaped flowers in varying shades of blue/purple.

• Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) – Tall spikes of pinkish-purple blooms. Often the first to colonize burned areas.

• Lewis’s Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii) – Lavender snapdragon-like flowers. Grows up to 3 feet tall.

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Lavender blooms emit minty fragrance. Makes aromatic tea.

White Wildflowers

• Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) – Ground cover with white blooms surrounded by large red berries.

• Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Flat clusters of small white flowers. Foliage has strong scent.

• Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) – Classic daisy with white petals and yellow centers. Introduced species.

• Starry Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum) – Delicate white star-shaped blooms dangle from arching stems.

• Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) – Fragrant white to pale yellow flowers top tall stems.

• Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) – White five-petaled blooms and edible red berries. Spreads by runners.

Pink Wildflowers

• Elephant’s Head (Pedicularis groenlandica) – Dense spikes of pink flowers resembling an elephant’s head.

• Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) – Tall spikes can also produce bright pink blooms.

• Lewis’s Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii) – Snapdragon-like flowers in shades of pink.

• Moss Campion (Silene acaulis) – Compact alpine species with bright pink cushion-shaped blooms.

• Wild Rose (Rosa woodsii) – Bright pink wild rose blooms give way to red rose hips for wildlife.

Red Wildflowers

• Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa) – Shaggy red blooms are a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies.

• Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.) – Brilliant scarlet bracts surround small greenish flowers.

• Red Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – Nodding red and yellow flowers. Grows on rocky slopes.

• Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) – Towering spikes of vivid red tubular flowers.

• Western Red Lily (Lilium philadelphicum) – Showy orange-red blooms with dark spots.

Other Notable Wildflowers

• Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) – Grass-like leaves and globular white flower clusters.

• Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) – Colorful daisy-like flowers in shades of red/yellow.

• Cushion Fleabane (Erigeron compositus) – Dense white daisy carpets high elevation gravel and rocks.

• Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens) – Flowers emerge before foliage. Grows on prairies and foothills.

• Prairie Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) – Spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple and white.

• Sagebrush Buttercup (Ranunculus glaberrimus) – Shiny yellow flowers with contrasting bronze-red foliage.

• Shooting Star (Dodecatheon pulchellum) – Swept back pink and yellow petals give “shooting star” look.

• Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) – Clusters of pink flowers with sticky foliage.

• Western Meadowrue (Thalictrum occidentale) – Fluffy lavender blooms dangle from tall slender stems.

• Wild Hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis) – Towering stalks with showy satiny blossoms in white/pink.

When & Where to See Wildflowers in Montana

The timing and location of wildflower blooms in Montana vary by species, elevation and region. Here are some tips:

• Lower elevations – Early bloomers like Glacier Lily appear late March to May. Other common flowers through summer are Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Blanketflower, Sunflowers and Sagebrush Buttercup.

• Mid elevations (5,000 – 7,000 ft) – Pasqueflowers, Indian Paintbrush, Lupine, Elephant’s Head and Wild Rose start blooming in May. Peak displays of Beargrass and Wild Hollyhock come in early summer.

• Higher elevations – Snow melt unleashes colorful carpets of alpine wildflowers in July/August. Bluebells, Shooting Stars, Moss Campion and Sky Pilot bloom above treeline.

• Burned areas – Fireweed is often the first to colonize recently burned forests, followed by Greenwood Aster, Fire Chalice and other opportunists.

• Roadsides – Look for sun-loving annuals and perennials like Sunflowers, Blue Flax, Yellow Salsify and Scarlet Gilia along highways.

• Mountain trails – Hiking in summer and fall reveals stunning wildflowers. Popular parks include Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

The amazing diversity of wildflowers is one of the best reasons to explore Montana in spring and summer. From bluebell-blanketed meadows in the mountains to sunny prairies sprinkled with Indian Paintbrush, a floral spectacle awaits.