Frozen beneath snow for much of the year, the tundra surrounding Churchill bursts into life in summer, becoming a green carpet dotted with exuberant Arctic wildflowers. Dozens of species flourish by July, covering the landscape in flecks of color. Early in the season we may see saxifrage, avens, arnica, miniature rhododendron, primrose, northern hedysarum, dwarf Labrador tea, cinquefoil, locoweed and more. These are microflora—tiny plants that grow close to the ground, given the extremity of the climate here. Those with a curious spirit who are willing to get down on the ground to inspect them closely will find the greatest appreciation of their intricate beauty. If you are in search of the tall, bold magenta blooms of fireweed, this showy flower doesn't typically appear until late July and into August, when vast fields of it turn the tundra vivid purple. Keep in mind that wildflowers transition throughout the summer, and at some point mid-season we're likely to see a diversity of small species and fireweed at the same time. Yet weather is unpredictable, and it's possible we might see (or not see) certain species typically expected at a particular time.