Here in late summer along the Parkway the meadows are filled with Coreopsis and Black Eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Butterfly Weed and Joe Pye Weed. All of those late summer blooms that fill the meadows with color.
In the northern areas of the Parkway also look for Ox Eyed Daisy and Touch Me Not, Woodland Sunflower and Goldenrod. Crownbeard, Bull Thistle and Chicory are common through the Peaks of Otter area north of Roanoke.
Still blooming around Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill are Daisy Fleabane and Ox Eyed Daisy, Yarrow, Jewelweed, Wood Sage, Flowering Spurge, Black Eyed Susan, Tall Meadow Rue and typical of this time of year lots of Goldenrod. Cardinal Flower and Turtlehead and White Snakeroot are new arrivals this week around Mabry Mill.
In North Carolina, Jewelweed is still blooming in the Linville Falls picnic area and along the Linville River. Green-Headed Coneflower is still blooming along the river and near the Linville Falls Visitor Center. Look for Queen of the Meadow which can still be seen behind the Minerals Museum.
Joe Pye Weed, Ironweed, Purple Coneflower, Butterfly Weed, and Common Milkweed can all be seen at many places along the Parkway from about milepost 340 near Crabtree Meadows to milepost 316 near Linville Falls. Enjoy late summer along the Parkway.
Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.
Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.