Flowers from the Swiss Alps

Jack and I just got back from traveling in Switzerland for two weeks. It was absolutely stunning with green valleys and snow capped mountains. Traveling in September meant fewer crowds, which was nice, but also fewer wildflowers which was really okay too. Because I wasn’t overwhelmed with fields and fields of flowers, I was able to see and appreciate individual blooms. I would love to go back when the hills are alive with color but, I was thrilled to be there in any season.

I loved seeing plants that we consider Eurasian weeds happy and well adjusted in their native habitats. Plants such as dandelions and buttercups, which we consider invasive pests, seemed to be much better behaved “at home.” Perhaps the most impressive example of this was the bachelor buttons (cornflowers) and knapweeds, both members of the Centaurea genus native to Europe. There, at home, they are just a lovely part of the ecosystem. Here in North America, they are in a foreign land and have become so aggressive that they outcompete the natives for space and resources and endanger the health of the natural environment.

I also loved seeing how many American natives were being used as cultivated plants in the gardens that were so prevalent from small cottages to grand parks. Purple coneflowers, black eyed Susans, sunflowers, phlox were pampered and coddled in these Swiss gardens.

Perhaps the most thrilling sight was the fields of Autumn crocus that were in bloom. This is actually not a true crocus (and NOT the source of saffron) but a mildly toxic relative in the Colchicum genus. Toxic or not, it was thrilling to see hillsides come into bloom with this small pink flower.

Switzerland is reputed as being one of the most beautiful countries in the world and I would have to agree! I can’t wait to go back and roll in fields of flowers. And maybe even get to see the shy and ephemeral eidleweiss.