Even after 30-plus Minnesota winters, I’m still astounded every spring when the snow stops, the ground thaws, and life re-emerges. It seems impossible (miraculous!) that anything can survive — especially the little things, like field mice and wildflowers.
I have no field mice to offer today. But I do have a bumper-crop of wildflowers — specifically, Minnesota’s official state flower, the showy lady slipper (Cypripedium reginae, for you fancy-pant botanists).
It’s rare to find these white-and-pink orchids in the wild both because they take a long time to mature, and because they bloom for only a week or two each spring. But my trusty morel-hunting friend Pam knows exactly where to look. (Hint: In the boggy section of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis.)
Every time I visit, I’m temped to pitch a tent and move there.
It’s hard to believe this oasis exists just about three miles from downtown. And because it’s also a teaching facility, it’s a great way to learn about Minnesota’s native flora and fauna.
Still, we weren’t able to name this tree species …
… but Pam correctly identified the wild calla lily that was growing along one trail.
We also appreciated the sign that warned of poison ivy. If only it were so easy to spot in the rest of Minnesota’s woods!
But even in this verdant sanctuary the lady slippers don’t bloom every year. So when they do, word gets out quickly and fans of the flower materialize like fruit flies around a banana.
Never mind the mud. These people are determined.
Unfortunately, some of them are also disobedient and rude. Grrr.
But I (kind of) understood their craze once I spotted my first bloom.
Just down the trail, Pam and I were surprised to find a few more among the grass …
… and even some clumps of flowers among the horsetails. In all of our lady-slipper-hunting years we’d never seen anything like this.
If the lady slippers are any indication, it’s going to be a wonderful spring in Minnesota.
HeideBlog 
Fantastic pictures! Thanks!
Thank you … for always being so kind.
So close to my home; I have to get over there. Thanks for this!
I’m up for a visit anytime. Just say when! 🙂
Graceful lady slippers. What a beautiful name.
Isn’t the name just poetry, Rosa? Even if they’d be quite impractical and uncomfortable as actual slippers, I do *so* love the name. ¡Enorme abrazo!
That second to last photo is my favorite. Really beautiful!
Thank you, Cindy!
So beautiful! I wish we had them here in SC.
*Here* in SC? You’re back already?! My goodness, that went by fast! Hope your time in France was wonderful.
The lady slipper is the official flower of the province where I used to live: http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=1523
It’s hard to spot there too. I remember one of my friends taking a visitor on a hike in the spring and telling her all about the provincial flower and how rare and delicate it was and hard to find. And her friend pointed right behind where they were standing and said, “You mean like that one?” And, yes, there was a lady slipper plant in bloom 🙂
That’s such a funny story, Fiona — and so typical of my experience with these wily flowers, as well. 🙂
Oh wow, I wish I had a friend like Pam, helping me forage and seek natural treasures. What fun you two get up to. Beautiful nature, it never disappoints. 🙂
What a sweet note, Rochelle. Thank you! And yes, I do treasure Pam — for all the reasons you mention, and so many more. xx