Wildflowers Field Guide

About alpine meadows

Alpine meadows, considered one of Canada’s most beautiful natural phenomena, occur when alpine wildflowers make their spectacular appearance for a brief period of time during the spring and summer months, despite the harsh growing conditions of the alpine environment. Putting down roots in a growing environment that includes adversities like low temperatures, dryness, and ultraviolet radiation (not to mention being buried under 3 metres of snow all winter long!) – you could say that alpine wildflowers are some of the toughest and most unique blossoms in B.C.

Alpine meadows are so special because they aren’t made of the types of flowers you can find in your local florists' shop. No, the colourful wildflowers of Canada’s alpine meadows live a short, miraculous lifespan just a few months each summer. Plus, they are only found at the highest elevations of British Columbia, meaning that a pair of hiking boots is usually involved to admire their beauty! But trust us, the prismatic panorama of colours is worth every step. In fact, if you were to visit the same alpine meadow at different times throughout the summer you would see a totally different display of colours month to month, as alpine blossoms all bloom at different times, creating a continually changing wave of colour across the high-altitude hills.

Ready to start exploring?

Here at Big White, we have an extensive network of alpine hiking trails that allow you to admire some of B.C.’s most beautiful native blossoms. The time is now to lace up your boots, grab your camera, and hit the trails to walk with the wildflowers. Listed below are a few alpine wildflower varieties that can be found in Big White’s sprawling mountain meadows at the top of Bullet Chair. Print this guide and take it on a trip into the alpine to count how many you can see!  

Mountain Blossom Family

White Yarrow, Arctic lupins, Red Common paintbrushes, Arnica, and the Pasque flower are all members of Big White's colourful mountain blossom family.

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

Fireweed is a perennial with pinky purple flowers that grows from 0.5 to 3 m in height. Since its seeds need extreme heat to crack open, Fireweed commonly grows in places where there has been a forest fire or fire disturbance. In late summer long seed pods spring open and release hundreds of seeds with tufted hairs which are dispersed by the wind.
Fun Fact: Fireweed is the floral emblem of Canada’s Yukon territory.

Common Red Paintbrush (Castilleja)

Common Red Paintbrush has a striking red blossom that grows on top of a straight, hairy stem typically 20 to 60 cm in height. The upper part of the Common Red Paintbrush resembles a brush covered with bright dyes. One of the most eye-catching features in subalpine meadows.
Fun Fact: The Common Red Paintbrush goes by many names including Prairie Fire, Grandmothers Hair, Painted Cup, Indian Paintbrush, Painted Lady, and Butterfly Weed.

Arctic lupin (Lupinus arcticus)

The Arctic lupin has grey-green leaves covered with soft, silver hairs and a blossom that consists of 5 to 28 narrow, pointed leaflets and it can grow anywhere from 30 to 80 cm high! It’s native to northwestern North America, from Oregon north to Alaska and Nunavut, and is known as one of the most common wildflowers in B.C.
Fun Fact: The lupin is a member of the pea family

Scouler's hawkweed (Hieracium scouleri)

Bright and beautiful, the scouler’s hawkweed is a perennial that blooms from June – September and grows up to 70 cm in height. One plant will typically have 5 to 30 dandelion-like flowers on a stem covered in fine, short hairs.
Fun Fact: Hieracium derives from Greek hierax, which means hawk. Ancient Greeks believed that hawks strengthened their vision by eating this plant.

Leafybract aster (Aster foliaceus)

Leafybract asters are beautiful perennials that are found in the subalpine environment and forest openings. Loose clusters of daisy-like flowerheads on sprawling stems can grow up to 60cam tall with multiple flowers. The word 'Aster' is of Greek derivation and refers to this flower’s star-like blossom.
Fun Fact: Asters are oftentimes a prime target for birds, bees and butterflies because they are fragrant and colourful.

Sitka Valerian  (Valeriana sitrchensis)

A common feature in forest openings, subalpine meadows and even in the alpine zone. This beauty can reach up to over a metre tall with beautiful clusters of small white tubular flowers. This flower is native to northwestern North America from Alaska and northern Canada to Montana to northern California.
Fun Fact: Indigenous communities cooked and ate the roots. Some tribes also used the roots for their medicinal benefits helping with inflammation and aches.

Western Pasqueflower (Anemone occidentalis)

Both in bloom and in seed the Western Pasqueflower is a spectacular sight in the subalpine meadows at Big White. A common perennial, which blooms early after snow-melt in moist subalpine meadows, with spectacular displays of white flowers above green leaves. In mid-summer, the flowers transform into very conspicuous feathery green, changing to tan, seed heads. In late summer, the wind separates and disperses the seeds.
Fun Fact: The seed heads are so distinctive that common names for this flower include mop-top and nature’s hippies.

Arnica (Arnica montana)

Arnica is a perennial plant of the sunflower family. It gets its name from its soft, hairy leaves – like lambs’ ears – from the Greek word arni or “lamb”. It has large, showy yellow blossoms with long ray florets.
Fun Fact: Homeopathic preparations of Arnica are widely marketed and used for ailments such as sprains, bruising, and osteoarthritis.