Wildflowers That Take a Long Time to Bloom

White Wildflowers

• Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thlictroide) is a species of wildflower that takes up to three years to bloom. This 4- to 8-inch-tall plant blossoms in the spring and features white to pale-pink flowers with yellow stamens. A member of the Ranunculaceae plant family, this wildflower thrives in slightly acidic, well-draining soil with partial shade. Great Solomon's seal (Polygonatum commutatum) is a member of the Liliaceae family that blossoms within two to four years. This 3- to 8-foot-tall flowering plant has medium-green foliage and arching stems. In June, clusters of two to eight white bell-shaped flowers develop and last for two weeks.

Blue Wildflowers

• Sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) is an early-spring bloomer that takes up to two years to blossom. The 4- to 6-inch-tall plant produces blue flowers with five to 18 petals per bloom and yellow stamens. This Ranunculaceae plant member likes partial shade and rich soil. Blue Flag iris (Iris versicolor) is a slow-establishing hardy wildflower featuring spring-blooming blue flowers with yellow throats. This perennial thrives in wetlands and has a natural habitat alongside streams and ponds. The foliage of the Blue Flag iris has a dark-green hue and sword-shaped leaves.

Red Wildflowers

• Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a 1- to 2-foot tall, hardy perennial wildflower that blooms within two years from germination. The red flowers have yellow stamens and blossom during May through July. The foliage of the Eastern red columbine has a bluish-green hue with coarse compound leaves. Red trillium (Trillium erectum) is a perennial wildflower that flowers during the spring. This slow bloomer produces dark red blossoms with six petals and purplish stamens in three to 10 years. Growing up to 16 inches tall, the red trillium has a spread of 12 inches.

Yellow Wildflowers

• Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) is a slow-to-propagate, perennial wildflower with a clumping formation. This 18-inch-tall herbaceous plant develops bright puffy yellow flowers in May. A member of the Orchidaceae plant family, this wild orchid grows in open woodlands. Common yellow violet (Viola pensylvanica) is a slow-blooming perennial with a height of 6 to 16 inches. This wildflower has a clumping configuration with lobed basal leaves in a medium-green shade. During early summer, the yellow violet blossoms with brilliant, small yellow flowers.