This is the Blue Ridge Parkway wildflower report for August 3rd. As we enter the last month of summer, the Parkway becomes the first choice in a place to escape the sweltering temperatures of the Piedmont and lowlands. With temperatures often being 20 or more degrees lower, especially in the higher elevations of the park in NC. Summer blooms in the agricultural scene South of Roanoke, Virginia include Queen Anne’s Lace, Yarrow, Ox-Eye Daisy, and Black-Eyed Susan. Lanceleaf Coreopsis is in full bloom, and the bright orange Butterfly Weed and Turkscap Lily, although past their peak, still brighten up many fields all the way south into Doughton Park in North Carolina. In the Grandfather Mountain, Price Park, and Moses Cone Estate area, look for many of the same blooms, along with Wild Geranium and Bee Balm. South of Asheville, where the roadway elevation can reach over 6,000 ft, a few Rosebay Rhododendron remain in view, along with tall Bellflower, Black Cohosh, Fleabane, Wild Bergamot, Flox, and Jewel Weed. In these high elevations there are even some reports of what we may call the fall wildflowers, such as Green-headed Coneflower and Joe-Pye-Weed. Have a safe Parkway visit this week by remembering that with a drive along this mountain road comes steep inclines, steep curves, built in distractions-such as wildlife and bicycles. Pull off into the overlooks if traffic backs up behind you, everyone will be a lot happier. As we often say to visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road. Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.