The compressed transition from prairie to mountain ecosystems makes the Eastern Slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains a wild botanical garden where species mingle along the boundaries of their natural ranges.

Here, the flatland-loving Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) shares open slopes with the montane Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata). White Bog Orchids (Platanthera dilatata) cohabit high-elevation wetlands with Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon) more common to drier meadows.

Our rarest native species is Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax), a metre-tall lily that bursts into extravagant bloom only once every three-to-four years. The best place to appreciate beargrass in Alberta is Waterton Lakes National Park.

Each June, amateur botanists and wildflower photgraphers converge in Waterton Lakes National Park to learn from the professionals. Qualified guides lead visitors by foot, vehicle, boat, and horseback to the most satisfying meadows and woodlands for practical workshops in the field. The festival is timed for peak blooming season, the third week of June.

Check the Waterton Wildflower Festival website for precise dates and programs of activities.