Giant violets at Hilton Falls (Milton, Ontario)

What to expect:

Hilton Falls is a 645 hectare park on the Niagara Escarpment in Milton. It’s a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but especially during flower season. Wildflowers are spectacular in early and late spring.

Expect to climb a fairly steep hill to reach an otherwise flat and easy to navigate path that will bring you to the falls. A staircase leads to the foot of the falls. Depending on wind directions, you may be able to hear Highway 401 traffic noise. Since this park is part of the Niagara Escarpment, it’s a World Biosphere Reserve.

Wildflowers

Take the path to the falls and search for Hepatica (Hepatica Americana). It’s a small wildflower of early spring (think early to mid April). You’ll see shades of violet, lilac, and pure white. As you approach the falls, you'll notice little clumps of this pretty little flower everywhere. Please be careful not to trample the plants. The stems are very hairly to protect against the cold. Around this time, you will likely see another early flower: Bloodroot.

Later in Spring, as you climb the Escarpment hill just off the parking lot, be on the look out for the Canada Violet (Viola Canadensis). Here is the description in the Peterson Field Guide (see resources): “Note yellow base of petals and purplish tinge on back of petals.” The plant stands 20 to 40 centimetres tall. It’s a giant violet which thrives in moist, rich woodlands.

Other types of violets, trilliums, and Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum) are some of the other wildflowers you may be able to observe on this wonderful walk.

Photo 1: Hepatica (Hepatica Americana)

The ROM guide (see resources) classifies this flower as Anemone Acutiloba.

Photo 2: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis)

Its large leaves wrap around the flower to protect it from colder temps in early spring. Its stems are filled with orange coloured sap, hence this plant's common and scientific names.

Photo 3 (below): Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

This plant seems to thrive even when growing on top of a rock! It attractsHummingbirds and butterflies.

When to go:

You will be able to observe wildflowers during most of the spring. The first of the season generally start popping up around the same time the garden crocus is in full bloom.

How to get there:

(Directions provided by the park.) From Highway 401, take Highway 25 north to 5 Side Road (Campbellville Road).  Go west on 5 Side Road for 5 km to park entrance.
From Q.E.W. take Guelph Line north through Campbellville to Campbellville Road.  Go east for 3 km to park entrance.

More…

The park opens year round at 8:30 a.m., but closing times vary seasonally. If you take a dog, it needs to be leashed at all times. Park phone: (905) 854-0262. You can download a trail guide at www.hrca.on.ca.