An Early Season Pair of Grass Widow Blossoms at Catherine Creek, Washington.

I took this photo of a Grass Widow (Olsynium douglasii, formerly Sisyrinchium douglasii var. douglasii) early in the season a few years ago. The early season flowers seem to bloom before the plants reach the full normal height of the later bloomers.

Grass Widows start blooming in the east Columbia River Gorge as early as mid-January, but the peak of the bloom is usually the last week of February and the beginning of March. After that, one wildflower specie after another comes into bloom in a succession that continues into early summer.

Accommodations are available at Hood River, Stevenson, Bingen, and The Dalles. Fine dining can be found in Hood River, Stevenson, and Mosier. A trip to view the wildflowers can be combined with visiting the many fine wineries in the area.