Soggy green forests starred with spring ephemerals are earthly fairylands. Just as April’s cold rain convinces us that the ground may never fully thaw, improbable delicate blooms emerge. Spotting the first sprouts is a wonderful relief, like finding congratulatory fans at the finish line of a hard-fought race.

Trillium are the prom queens of the perennial-woodland wildflower scene, but they are joined by a lovely court. If you hunt for Trillium you’re bound to find many more wildflower treats: speckle-leaved trout lilies, bright-yellow bellwort blooms, royal-purple violets, inconspicuous jack-in-the-pulpits, darling pink spring beauties and squirrel corn, and my personal favorite: dutchman’s breeches (named for their pant-like appearance).

Dutchman’s Breeches (named because they look like adorable pairs of pants hanging to dry).

Trillium (and other ephemerals) are precious in part because of the brevity of their blooms. They flower in early spring across deciduous forest floors and are here and gone within a few short weeks. Every spring I make it my mission to hunt for sweeping patches of white trillium during their peak bloom (mid-to-late May in NW Michigan), and I am always delighted by the extra wildflowers I find along the way.

Below are a few of my favorite places to find spring wildflowers in mid-May in northern Michigan.

Arcadia Dunes: Pete’s Woods Preserve

I visited this hilly Grand Traverse Land Conservancy property for the first time this spring. My friend Sally guided me through the path, and it was LOADED with wildflowers. We went on a cool, rainy day so the blooms were a little slumped over and shy, but they were still breathtaking. I highly recommend this 1.5 mile hiking path.

M-119 Tunnel of Trees between Harbor Springs and Cross Village

This throughway is known for its stunning fall foliage, but it is a stunner in the spring time too. Sam Brown wrote a fun piece for MyNorth.com with recommendations for a spring joyride along this route.

A forest floor covered in squirrel corn and dutchman’s breaches

“The Breezeway” from Atwood to Boyne Falls

This scenic highway between Atwood, MI and Boyne Falls, MI winds through Ellsworth and East Jordan and includes several scenic overlooks and orchards. Take the 28-mile scenic drive for prolific trillium blooms.

If you’re lucky, you may spot the elusive red trillium in super top-secret spots. While you hunt, tread with care, some species are protected, and none should be picked or transplanted from public land without special permission.