This is the Blue Ridge Parkway spring wildflower report for mid-April. As the days get longer and temperatures warm up, the forest floor and tree tops began that annual transition to bright green.
The major threat for winter weather is obviously behind us but there can still be spring snow storms that come our way. So it’s always a good idea to keep current with the local weather forecast and keep a few emergency supplies in the trunk of your car whenever you visit the mountains.
Look for Spring Beauty, Skunk Cabbage and May Apple, early arrivals in spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas at mid elevations from your car. Bloodroot may also be shown in a few areas.
One of the earliest trees to bloom here in the Blue Ridge is Serviceberry which shows its white blooms deep in the forest this time of year. Redbud and Dogwood is rapidly coming on in the lower and mid elevations all along the Parkway.
Not far behind that will come those great May blooms that include Flame and Pink Azalea and Mountain Laurel. In North Carolina, Bloodroot is reported to be blooming along many road shoulders especially between Linville Falls and the North Carolina Museum of Minerals.
Take a hike to the cemetery at the the Moses Cone Memorial and you will see various types of violets along with Chickweed blooming. Serviceberry trees are also blooming along several stretches of the Parkway.
Regular updates for wildflower 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.