It has been a blooming spring in Thompson Okanagan with flowers of all kinds popping up all over. Here are some beautiful captures of spring flowers throughout our region and some facts to go along with them.

These beautiful Arctic Lupines are commonly found in alpine meadows, much like this meadow sitting next to Mount Robson.

One of the first sings that spring has sprung is seeing the Arrowleaf Balsamroot along the Okanagan Valley’s hillside.

With so many varieties of fruit in the Thompson Okanagan, spring is one of the most beautiful seasons as the valley is covered in blooming fruit trees.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot is commonly found in the Southern Interior of British Colombia.

Not all buds on fruit trees are guaranteed to be pollinated in order to produce fruit.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot is also called the Balsamorhizq Sagittata.

The roots of the Arrowleaf Balsamroot can be up to 8 ft tall.

Plum blossoms are a lot like apple blossoms and about the size of a nickel.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot belongs to the sunflower family.

There are many pollinators consisting of species of birds, bats, small mammals, and insects.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot can be as tall as 1‑2 ft.

Wild flowers can be important to vineyard farming practices as they can form part of a cover crop to protect the vineyard’s soil from erosion, maintain moisture levels, and attract pollinators.

Although not all that appetizing, all parts of the Arrowleaf Balsamroot are edible.

Apple, plum, orange, and some cherry blossoms are all white.

If you get close enough, some say the Arrowleaf Balsamroot smells like chocolate.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot flowers grow best in full sun.

Peak bloom season for blossoms is normally at the beginning of April.

The Arrowleaf Balsamroot’s extensive tap root allows it to survive through fires and droughts.

—Written by Jenna Labossiere

Born and raised in Kelowna, Jenna loves being able to be a tourist in her own backyard. As a Brand Ambassador for the Thompson Okanagan region, she hopes to be able to showcase the region’s local businesses and natural attractions in order to encourage others to take the opportunity to enjoy.