Summertime blooms striking in DuPage forest preserves

Now is a great time to see striking displays of summertime blooms blanketing several forest preserves in DuPage County.

"Prairies may have flowers in bloom from May through October, and new colors seem to appear from week to week as different species come into their peak," forest district plant ecologist Scott Kobal said.

Yellow blooms on cup plant, compass plant, prairie dock and rosin weed stand tall alongside brown and blue big bluestem and Indian grass.

Purple prairie blazing star, scarlet cardinal flower and orange butterfly weed provide additional vibrant colors. As the lingering blooms of wild bergamot and purple coneflower fade, yellow goldenrods and cream, blue and purple asters will start to appear.

"August and September are some of the best times to explore prairies because you can see the transition from the many bright summer colors to the rich tones of fall," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Tim Whelan, District 4.

Some of the best displays of summertime blooms are at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville, West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago and Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn.

The Poverty Prairie at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien is home to more than 300 native plants, and the Great Western Trail through Timber Ridge Forest Preserve in West Chicago offers its own colorful vistas. At Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn, the trail through the Back 40 features woodland and prairie, where yellowish gentian and white snakeroot bloom.

DuPage County forest preserves are open daily from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Visitors can find information and trail maps for preserve locations at dupageforest.org under "Places to Go" and "Forest Preserves."