This is the Blue Ridge Parkway wildflower report for June 22nd, 2007. Visitors to the Parkway here in the latter half of June will find the mountains in transition between spring blooms and the typical summer varieties usually depending on elevation. Rhododendron, flame azalea, pink azalea, mountain laurel arrived somewhat earlier than normal this year and although many areas in the mid elevations are reporting some of these still in bloom, the peak has passed in most areas. In Virginia, south of Roanoke, the agricultural leases, the rolling meadows, are blooming with yarrow and phlox, ox-eye daisy, black-eyed susan, and full blooms of the bright orange butterfly weed. Milkweed is beginning to come along in a few places as well. Visitors are always asking about those large, white, rosebay rhododendron and in a few areas the rosebay is coming along nicely. Look especially around milepost 145 and in the Mabry Mill area. In North Carolina around Boone and Blowing Rock, look for turkey beard, soloman’s seal, and bowman’s root. At Crabtree Meadows, a walk in the fields between the amphitheatre and the campground will reveal a wide variety of blooming wildflowers. A few examples include fire pink, hairy beardtongue, and intermediate dogbane. In the high elevations south of Asheville from Mt. Pisgah going south, rhododendron, mountain laurel and flame azalea are past peak but are still in nice display in some areas. Also look for fire pink, columbine, sun drop and phlox. Weekly updates at this number will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.
You are here: Home / Parkway News / Wildflower Bloom Reports / Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for June 22, 2007