May 7, 2010
This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for the first week of May. May is the best overall month for wildflowers along the Parkway and as the days get longer and temperatures warm up the forest floor and tree tops are well on their way to their transition to bright green.
Bloodroot is showy in some areas along with lots of Trillium and Fire Pink and Phlox showing. Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first of the blazing orange Flame Azalea.
Not far behind that will come those great blooms that include many more Flame and Pink Azalea and Mountain Laurel. A few Catawba Rhododendron are beginning to show in the lower to mid- elevations.
From the North Carolina / Virginia state line heading north to about Groundhog Mountain look for Flame Azalea and Pinxter, Fleabane and Buttercup. Also, lots of Frasier Magnolia is showy right now.
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.
For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.
Click here to listen to the latest wildflower report.
Click here for the full Blue Ridge Parkway bloom schedule.
Click here to view our wildflower gallery on High Country Photos.
Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.
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