Cherries in the Door
Door County
has a history of
cherry growing
that dates back
to the 1800s.
Soil and weather
conditions –
warm days and
cool nights –
influenced by
Lake Michigan
and Green Bay have created an ideal situation
for growing these delicious fruits.
Today with around 2,500 acres of cherry
orchards and another 500 acres of apple
orchards, Door County is filled with blossoms in
the spring and is delightfully decorated with the
delicious fruits in the late summer and fall.
Door County is the 4th largest cherry producing
region in the nation. The top three producing
regions are Michigan, New York, and Utah.
All but 100 acres of Wisconsin’s red cherry crop
is grown in Door County.
While the Montmorency (tart) cherry makes
up most of the 2,500 acres of cherry orchards
throughout the county, the sweet cherry crop
consists of only 50 acres, just enough to supply
local roadside markets.
For more information visit:
DoorCounty.com/Experience/Everything-Cherry
Blossoms in the Door
Springtime in the Door
Places to visit as you begin your
search for Door County blossoms
Door County
Guide to Spring
Crossroads at Big Creek, Sturgeon Bay
crossroadsatbigcreek.com
Door County Land Trust Preserves, County-Wide
doorcountylandtrust.org
Door County Parks, County-Wide
map.co.door.wi.us/parks
The Garden Door
dcmga.org/the-garden-door
Nature Conservancy Preserves, County-Wide
nature.org
Spring is here and you should be too! After
all, where else can you enjoy 300 miles of
spectacular freshwater shoreline, 5 state parks,
11 historic lighthouses, mile after mile of scenic
roadways – plus outstanding dining, shopping,
arts, entertainment and exploration?
Newport State Park, Ellison Bay
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/newport
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/peninsula
Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/potawatomi
While you are here, learn about the county’s
unique maritime history, visit the many studios
and galleries, explore the miles of hiking trails or
discover hidden treasures at outdoor fairs and
markets. Enjoy county-wide celebrations, held
every weekend with entertainment for all.
The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor
ridgessanctuary.org
Rock Island State Park, Washington Island
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/rockisland
Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/whitefish
DoorCounty.com | 800.527.3529 | [email protected]
1015 Green Bay Road • PO Box 406
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
What’s Blooming When Chart
Season of Blossoms
April 9th - June 5th, 2016
Each year our lodging properties offer special packages
designed around Door County’s magnificent blossoms.
Packages include two nights lodging, a meal for two, a
spring-related amenity or activity and a $25 Door County
gift certificate that you will receive at check-in.
Start planning your trip today! We have a special section of
our website dedicated to this spring promotion where you
will find:
• Spring Events and Festivals
• Lodging Packages
• Downloadable Guide to Spring Brochure
• Timeline of What’s Blooming When
DoorCounty.com/seasonal-promotions/season-of-blossoms
April
May
June
Spring Events and Festivals
July
August
Forget-Me-Nots
Hepatica
Daffodils
Marsh Marigold (Cowslip)
Dwarf Lake Iris
Large-Flowered Trillium
Clintonia
Canada Mayflower
Starflower
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Wild Columbine
Canada Anemone
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Starry Solomon’s Plume
Coralroot
Fringed Polygala (Gaywings)
Wild Strawberry
Wood Lily
Butter-and-Eggs (Toadflax)
Cherry Blossoms
Indian Paintbrush
Silverweed
Showy Lady Slipper
Twinflower
Pitcher Plant
Discover the stunning views
of Sunset Trail in Peninsula
State Park or Europe Bay
Trail in Newport State Park.
Map out your hiking or biking
adventures now so you can hit
the ground running when you
arrive in Door County!
DoorCounty.com/experience/scenic-attractions/parks
Brown Trout Fishing Tournament,
Baileys Harbor
April 30
Blossom Run/Livestrong Run for a Cause,
Egg Harbor
May 7 Door County Half Marathon & Nicolet Bay 5k, Peninsula State Park
May 7 Shipyard Tours, Sturgeon Bay
May 12 - 15 Girlfriends Great EGGscape, Egg Harbor
May 13 - 14 Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament,
Sturgeon Bay
May 13 – 15 Door County Wine Trail Weekend,
County-Wide
Apple Blossoms
Virtually hike or bike the trails
of our 5 State Parks!
April 21 - 24
Death Camus Lily
Thimbleberry
Swamp Buttercup
St. John’s Wort
Blue-Flag Wild Iris
Black-eyed Susan
Harebell (Bluebell)
Goldenrods
Lobelia
Aster
Lavender
Grass of Parnassus
Fringed Gentian
This chart highlights the blooming seasons of our most popular species. Because blooms are weather dependent, the
dates given here are only approximate. Door County’s natural environment is both beautiful and fragile. Some of the
same geographic and geologic attributes that give the county its beauty are also responsible for its thin soils. In order
to protect our delicate plant and animal life for the enjoyment of future generations, please do not pick the blossoms.
For the most up-to-date cherry blossom report visit DoorCounty.com/Discover/Blossoms-Report
May 21
Village-Wide Rummage Sale, Sister Bay
May 21
Scottie Dog Rally, Baileys Harbor
May 21 - 22
Blessing of the Fleet, Baileys Harbor
May 21 - 22
Ellison Bay Arts Spring Art Crawl, Ellison Bay
May 26 - 29
Door County Festival of Nature,
Baileys Harbor
May 28- 29
Maifest, Jacksonport
May 28 - 29
Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay
May 29
Migratory Bird Day Celebration, Egg Harbor
June 3 - 4
Sturgeon Bay City-Wide Garage Sale,
Sturgeon Bay
June 4
National Trails Day, Whitefish Dunes State Park
June 4 - 5
Free Fun Weekend, WI State Parks
June 4 - 5
Free Fishing Weekend, Statewide
For the most up-to-date list of events, visit
DoorCounty.com/Experience/Events
Starflower: Bright, white stars cling to mossy hillocks,
often surrounded by mini pools. On outskirts of Door
County Land Trust’s Kellner Fen, east of Sturgeon Bay,
access on Lake Forest Park Dr. and on Mountain Maple
Trail, Ridges Sanctuary
Showy Lady’s Slipper : Magnificent. Sunny forest edges.
Homeowners protect them from mowing on east side
Ridges Rd.; also, the ‘other’ side of Ridges Sanctuary
along south side Cty. Rd. Q
Jack-in-the-Pulpit: Flower changes to bright crimson
berries in late summer. Giant specimens exist in the
garden adjacent to the north side of the Upper Range
Light at Ridges Sanctuary
Twin Flower: Darling, shy, pink couplets with oval petaled
leaves on Winter Wren Trail near the turnoff for Mountain
Maple Trail, Ridges Sanctuary
Columbine: Nodding red and yellow blossoms peek out of
the forest from the encircling drive through Potawatomi
State Park near Sturgeon Bay
Pitcher Plant: Dr. Seuss-type blossoms thickly dot the Door
County Land Trust’s Kellner Fen, access from Lake Forest
Park Rd., east of Sturgeon Bay. Underneath, veined lime green
to neon cherry “pitchers” sit on watery substrate ready to
trap insects; also, at south end of main observation bridge,
Mountain Maple Trail, in Sandy Swale, Ridges Sanctuary
Canada Anemone: A white blossom of the Buttercup family
found in sandy soils and moist meadows. Try Toft Point
State Natural Area about 3/4 of the way back along Ridges
Road—stay left at the fork
Death Camus Lily: Yes, it can make animals who it eat
unwell. Range Light Boardwalk, Ridges Sanctuary;
Ridges Rd. bordering the Sanctuary
Yellow Lady’s Slipper: Crinkly booties with brown curly
lateral petals, in moist soil but also sun-loving, found
along forest edges. Little Lake Road, Washington Island;
Cty. Rd. Q towards Cana Island; Ridges Rd.
Thimbleberry: Large white blossoms peeking out of soft,
fuzzy, hypoallergenic leaves. Glidden Dr.; N. Cave Point
Dr. to Whitefish Dunes State Park; Ridges Rd. to Point
Dr. to the point of Toft Point
Starry Solomon’s Plume: Deer are partial to both slippers
and plumes. Blossoms turn to maroon berries in late
summer; nice patch found at end of trail to the Beach,
Ridges Sanctuary
Swamp Buttercup: Classic buttercup sprouting from mossy
hillocks and swales (wet areas between ridges). Ridges
Sanctuary, Mountain Maple Trail
Striped Coralroot: Shady, rich soil. Uses fungi, not
chlorophyll, to survive. Easy to overlook. Ridges
Sanctuary, past the first two bridges, Winter Wren Trail,
south side
St. John’s Wort: Flat yellow blossoms topped by a
profusion of stamens. Found among shrubs and ridges
open to the sky, Ridges Sanctuary
Forget-Me-Nots: Baby blue to hues of purple-pink,
delicate blossoms carpet Peninsula State Park. Also
nodding in the breeze along Lake Forest Park Dr. east of
Sturgeon Bay
Gaywings (Fringed Polygala): Hot pink mini airplane
propellers grace rich, yet sandy soils. Visible surrounding
Door County Land Trust’s Kellner Fen off of Lake Forest
Park Rd. east of Sturgeon Bay and Ridges Sanctuary
Blue Flag Wild Iris: A big sister to the Dwarf Lake Iris, this
flower waves hello along Jackson Harbor Rd., Washington
Island
Hepatica: Moist upland woods, appearing in white, pink or
purple clusters with three-lobed leaves. Nestled at Logan
Creek, south of Jacksonport, east on Loritz Rd. off of Hwy.
57, from the kiosk take the trail east
Wild Strawberry: Miniature version of the farmed berry on
Canal Rd. towards the Canal Station Light east of Sturgeon
Bay, take Utah St. off of Hwy. 57
Black-Eyed Susan: Familiar bright yellow daisy-shaped
petals encircle a fuzzy brown center. Sunny, open fields.
Ridges Sanctuary; Ridges Rd.
Daffodils: Delicious Daffys, harbingers of spring, pop up
all over Door County, along back roads and tended plots.
There are nice clumps to view in the middle of Cty. Rd. TT,
east from Hwy. 42/57 in Sturgeon Bay, near a magnificent
private garden
Wood Lily: Profuse, gracious, large, bright orange lilies
dot the sandy, open areas of Ridges Sanctuary and
Ridges Rd.
Harebell (Bluebell of Scotland): Fragile looking (but
looks are deceiving) light purple bell-shaped blossoms
on slender stalks, all over Ridges Sanctuary including
the garden between Hwy. 57 and the garage next to the
Upper Range Light
Marsh Marigold: Profuse yellow blossoms top plentiful
green foliage, clumping in ditches and swales (low areas
between ridges). Found along the curvy part of Cty. Rd.
TT, east of Hwy. 42/57 in Sturgeon Bay and among hillocks
at Ridges Sanctuary
Butter-and-Eggs (Toadflax): Quirky, spiky lemon and
yellow blossoms; found at Bues Point Boat Launch, off of
Ct. Rd. Q near Cana Island
Goldenrods: Ohio, Dune and Canada goldenrods inhabit
sandy, beachside soils such as Ridges Rd. near Baileys
Harbor Ridges County Park and adjoining shrubby beach
area. Ragweed, not goldenrod, makes you sneeze.
Dwarf Lake Iris: Federally threatened, deep blue, tiny
iris are found only by the Great Lakes. Blossoms last
up to 3 days each in patchy, sunlit areas at Ridges
Sanctuary; Jackson Harbor Ridges, Washington Island; and
sporadically along the shoreline section of the Brachiopod
Trail, Whitefish Dunes State Park
Apple Blossoms: A bit later than cherry trees, pinky white,
soft, full apple blossoms emerge at the same time as
apple leaves bud out. Gordon Rd., west from Culver’s on
Hwy. 42/57, Sturgeon Bay; Shiloh Rd., south of Sturgeon
Bay; Cty. Rd. HH, north of Sturgeon Bay; Cherry Lane,
Forestville
Kalms Lobelia: Dainty three-petaled purple blossoms with
white centers found in wet soil near beaches. South side
of parking area at Baileys Harbor Ridges County Park;
Toft Point at end of Point Rd., from Ridges Rd.
Trillium: Visible in many upland forest locations. In
profusion at Logan Creek, south of Jacksonport, off Hwy.
57, east on Loritz Rd., from the kiosk take the trail east;
a dedicated few on the path from the 2nd parking lot at
Whitefish Dunes State Park to the shelter house
Cherry Blossoms : Pinky, soft, full cherry blossoms
emerge before their leaves bud out on cherry trees. Hwy.
42 north of Sister Bay; Cherry Lane, Forestville; Cty.
Rd. HH, southwest of Sturgeon Bay; Shiloh Rd., south of
Sturgeon Bay; Cty. Rd. A, parallel to Baileys Harbor; north
of Egg Harbor, Hwy. 42; south of Fish Creek, Hwy. 42
Aster: From the daisy family, this scraggly-petal
purple blossom abides along grassy roadsides. Toft
Point; Ridges Rd. to Point Dr., north of Baileys Harbor;
roadsides of Potawatomi State Park
Clintonia: Prolific yellow blossoms freely mix with
Dutchman’s Breeches at Logan Creek, south of
Jacksonport, off Hwy. 57, east on Loritz Rd., from the
kiosk take the trail east
Indian Paintbrush: Veers toward neon colors, present in
regenerating beach ridges and sandy soils. End of Trail
to the Beach, Ridges Sanctuary; Jackson Harbor Ridges,
Washington Island; near turn-around at east end of Lime
Kiln Rd. north of Baileys Harbor
Grass of Parnassus: Delicate, striped petals adorn
sturdy stalks attached to waxy base leaves. Named for
a similar blossom in Greece. Range Light Boardwalk,
Ridges Sanctuary
Canada Mayflower: Starry blossoms atop Lady’s Slippertype leaves, this ‘Wild Lily of the Valley’ is found in moist
woodlands such as Logan Creek, south of Jacksonport,
off of Hwy. 57, east on Loritz Rd., from the kiosk take
the trail east
Silverweed: Aptly named for underside of their feathery leaves,
bright yellow blossoms creep everywhere along southern exposure.
Sandy beach-side soils. Bues Point Boat Launch near Cana Island;
Lower Robert LaSalle County Park off of Cty. Rd. U; Land Trust
Preserve on S. Lake Michigan Rd.; Toft Point State Natural Area on
Ridges Rd. past Hickey Fisheries to end of Point Dr.
Fringed Gentian: Shaggy deep purple petals bend open
in daytime and curl up around each other at nighttime.
Spotted in profusion over Toft Point Shoreline from
Ridges Rd. to Point Dr., north on gravel road to several
parking pull-offs
As you explore the county, dozens of varieties of blossoms can
be found. Whether you are taking an afternoon hike in one of our
parks, biking along our pastoral back roads or simply strolling
about in one of our local communities, be sure to keep your eyes
peeled-who knows what beautiful blooms you may encounter!
Rock Island
State Park ROCK
W
WASHINGTON
W ISLAND
W
ISLAND
DETROIT
ISLAND
PLUM
ISLAND
PILOT ISLAND
Gills Rock
Ellison Bay
42
Sister Bay
Ephraim
Peninsula
State Park
CHAMBERS
ISLAND
Newport
State Park
Rowleys Bay
ZZ
Q
57
Fish Creek
Green Bay
NP
F
42
CANA ISLAND
A
EE
G
0 1 2
42
B HH
PD
SB
MM
42
N
42
K
C DK
Brussels
H
57 D
XC
Y
X
e
pe
na
Ah
ate
St
Sturgeon Bay
rk
Pa
ty
un
o
il C
Tra
H
J
U
OO
O
Forestville
WD
P
T
BB
57
S
57
I
Carlsville
Potawatomi
State Park
N
T
4
Green Bay
C
Kangaroo
Lake
V
miles
CC
Baileys Harbor
E
Egg Harbor
TT
Jacksonport
Lake Michigan
Whitefish Dunes
State Park
Driving Distance
in Door County
miles
mins.
Sturgeon Bay to Egg Harbor
19
25
Sturgeon Bay to Sister Bay
39
45
Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock
45
55
Sturgeon Bay to Northport
48
60
Sturgeon Bay to Jacksonport
15
20
Sturgeon Bay to Baileys Harbor
22
28
Egg Harbor to Jacksonport
12
15
Baileys Harbor to Ellison Bay
18
20
Baileys Harbor to Fish Creek
12
15
Peninsula Park to Jacksonport
16
20
Fish Creek to Egg Harbor
6
10
Brussels to Sturgeon Bay
13
15
Sturgeon Bay to Carlsville
8
15
Ephraim to Rowleys Bay
9
10
Photo Credits: The Ridges Sanctuary, Laurie Buske, Jon Jarosh, Capture Door County Images: Carol Toepke, Sandy Kwas, Joe Suchy, John O’Keeffe
Northport to Washington Island 30 minute Ferry Ride
See how many blossoms you can find during
your next visit to Door County.