This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for the first week of June. In the northern end of the Parkway, north and south of the farm at Humpback Rocks, visitors will see Elderberry in bloom, Princess Trees, and Star of Bethlehem. White and Yellow Goat’s Beard and Coreopsis are also common.
If you are taking a stroll through the farm at Humpback, pay special attention to the Columbine, Butter and Eggs, Ox-Eye Daisy, Deptford Pink, Queen Anne’s Lace and Fleabane Daisy.
Through the Peaks of Otter area some Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron are still in bloom in a few areas, along with Starry Campion, Meadow-Rue, Golden Alexander, Yarrow, Bowman’s Root and Ox-Eye Daisy. Some Fire Pink, the bright red spring wildflower, is still in view along a few roadside areas.
Some Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel are still in bloom south of Roanoke through the Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill area. Perhaps a few Flame or Pink Azaleas are still in view.
The fields in the agricultural areas throughout this part of the Parkway are beautifully decorated with Ox-Eye Daisy and Golden Alexander and Queen Anne’s lace.
Near the Blue Ridge Music Center and the NC / VA State Line, Rosebay Rhododendron, the late-blooming variety, is beginning to make it’s annual appearance. Some should be showy for the next month of so.
In North Carolina, look for Bluets if you’re walking the Linn Cove Viaduct trail or around Bass Lake. Fire Pink and Buttercups are common in the Moses Cone area along with Coreopsis, Lyreleaf Sage, Spiderwort, and Flame Azalea.
Mountain Laurel is showy in some areas especially at Price Lake boat rental and in the campground. Flame Azalea is out in the Linn Cove area.
The big news as far as blooms are concerned is that the display at Craggy Gardens area probably is at peak right now and perhaps will be for another week. Between Asheville and Craggy look for Sundrop and Goat’s Beard, Fire Pink, and Spiderwort along the roadside.
Through the Asheville corridor, Viburnum, Ox-Eye Daisy, Brown and Black-eyed Susan are nicely in bloom. South of Asheville in high mountain elevations many of the same are in bloom but look especicially for Solomon’s Seal, Meadow Parsnip, Mountain Ash, Flame Azalea and Mountain Laurel.
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.