Flowers of the Western Alps: An introduction

Globe Flower Trollius europaeus Distinctive and attractive flower. Golden yellow orbs up to 3cm in diameter.					Mountain Houseleek Sempervivum montanum Pink star-staped flowers on red and green stalks. Grows close to the ground often in rocky spots.
Season: April-July Frequency: Very common across the Alps Habitat: Up to 2,500m in meadows, scrub and woodland Properties: Laxative					Season: June-Aug Frequency: Not so common Habitat: 2,000 - 3,500m in rocky uplands Properties: -

False Aster Aster bellidiastrum Member of the daisy family. Large white petals can have pink or purple tones.					Mountain cornflower Centaurea triumfetti Large and striking flower, part of the daisy family. Can be a range of shades of blue or purple.
Season: April-Aug Frequency: Common Habitat: 700 - 2,900m Properties: -					Season: June-July Frequency: Common Habitat: 800 - 2,100m Properties: -

Alpine rock-jasmine Androsace alpina Small flowers hug the ground in rocky areas. Colours range from light pink to red.					Bavarian gentian Gentiana bavarica Low-lying flower with five petals. Shades can be bright blue to purple.
Season: July-Aug Frequency: Uncommon Habitat: 2,000 - 4,000m and higher Properties: -					Season: July-Sept Frequency: Uncommon Habitat: 1,800 - 3,700m Properties: Raises appetite

Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara Flowers with many thin yellow petals. Grows to 25cm on thick stems.					Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis Easily spotted conical plant close to the ground. Colours can be azure, violet, purple or pink.
Season: Mar-May Frequency: Common Habitat: Waste ground, damp areas Properties: -					Season: May-Sept Frequency: Common Habitat: 1,200 - 2,300m in meadows and deciduous woods Properties: -

Marsh marigold Caltha palustris Found in mountain streams or damp meadows. Deep golden yellow flowers up to 5cm across.					Glacier mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium uniflorum Small white petals in groups of two, like mouse ears. Small flowers on short stems.
Season: March-July Frequency: Uncommon Habitat: Sea level to 2,500m Properties: -					Season: July-Sept Frequency: Uncommon Habitat: 2,100 - 3,400m Properties: -

Pyrenean buttercup Ranunculus pyrenaeus White petals and yellow anthers. Grows up to 25cm tall.					Mountain buttercup Ranunculus montanus Yellow or orange petals and long stems. Likes damp meadows, roadsides, ditches and gullies.
Season: June-August Frequency: Uncommon Habitat: 1,700 - 3,100m Properties: -					Season: June-August Frequency: Common Habitat: 1,800 - 3,000m Properties: -

Go walking in the Alps to see these flowers and more

A walking holiday in the Western Alps will give you a great chance of seeing flowers like those above. In June and July the meadows can be a riot of colour. Bright blue, pink, purple and yellow almost block out the green of the field. Look at the two holidays we've chosen below: in early summer the flowers in the Swiss Valais are as vibrant as any you'll find in the Alps, while throughout summer the extent of the Tour du Mont Blanc makes for a great variety of flowers. As with all our self-guided options we book your accommodation and provide you with routecards and maps for you to enjoy the walking as you please.

Tour du Mont Blanc Self-guided trekking 11 days Follow the classic TMB route in a superb circuit from Chamonix, linking friendly hotels and huts					Swiss Valais Self-guided daywalks 6 days Explore the essential Swiss Alps on easy but awesome walks around Arolla, Zinal and Zermatt