This time of year visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can expect to see many of the common summer varieties of our beautiful blooming flowers.

In Virginia, near Peaks of Otter, Blacked-eye Susan, Chicory, Columbine, Common Evening Primrose, Hedge Bindweed, Goat’s Beard, Smooth Hedge Nettle, Butterfly Milkweed, Canada Lilies, Flowering Spurge, Woodland Sunflower, Black Cohosh, Bladder Campion, Common Milkweed, Daisy Fleabane, Elderberries, Foxglove Beardtongue, Indian Plantain, New Jersey Tea, Ox-eye Daisy, Raspberry, Southern Arrowwood, and Yarrow are all blooming.

In North Carolina, at the Orchard at Altapass, Milkweed and Morning Glory are blooming. Beebalm is blooming near Linville Falls picnic area and the Moses Cone overlook. Fire Pink is North of the Manor House and near the Linn Cove Visitor Center. Rosebay Rhododendron are blooming profusely from Linville Falls to the Minerals Museum and in many places between Moses Cone and Linville Falls. Black-eyed Susan, Hawkweed, Viburnum, and Day Lilies are also blooming in the area.

Near Craggy Gardens, Orange Jewelweed, Japanese Spirea, Ox-eyed Daisy, Cow’s Parsnip, Black-eyed Susan, Dodder Vine, Mullen, and Morning Glory are all in bloom.

In the Asheville area, we have blooms of Black Cohosh, Butterfly Bush, Spotted Jewelweed, Sundrops, Ox-eyed Daisy, Blacked-eye Susan, Sourwood, Day Lilies, and Fire Pink.

South of Asheville, heading towards Mt. Pisgah, there are abundant blooms including Trumpet Vine, Indian Pipe, Wild Hydrangia, Dodder Vine, Yarrow, Goat’s Beard, Raspberry, Japanese Honeysuckle, Spiderwort, Mullen, Blackened Fern, Southern Lady Fern, Mountain Wood Fern, and Big-leaf Magnolia.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it is not like most other roads so take some extra precautions while driving. Above all, slow down and take your time. Use the overlooks to let the traffic that backs up behind you by.

Enjoy the view, but watch the road.