This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for early June, 2011. Don’t think that just because spring is unofficially over and summer has arrived that there are any less wildflowers to enjoy on the Parkway. Nothing could be further from the truth. Flame and Pink Azalea are in abundance in many areas of the Parkway after a lush spring of abundant rainfall.

Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, look for great displays of Mountain Laurel and Catawba Rhododendron along the roadsides from mile post 80 to 82. Golden Alexander, Yarrow, Beard Tongue, Bowman’s Root, and Ox-eye Daisy are beautiful as well. Some Fire Pink is still in bloom around milepost 86 to 88. Laurel and Azalea, Spiderwort, Rhododendron and some Foam Flowers are showing in the section of the Parkway between Rocky Knob to Mabry Mill.

For those camping in the Price Park area, near Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, look for Squirrel Corn, May Apple, Jack in the Pulpit, and variety of Ferns and Cap’s Crown. Indian Cucumber Root is bloom around Bass Lake, Umbrella Leaf under the Linn Cove Viaduct, and Frasier Magnolia and Catawba Rhododendron are showing along the roadside throughout the Grandfather corridor. Hiking around Stack Rock, look for Turkey Beard, Indian Cucumber Root, Beard Tongue, and Mountain Laurel.

On the very far south end of the Parkway, from Pisgah to Water Rock Knob, the high elevations means that Trillium is still in bloom. Look for Indian Paintbrush around milepost 440. There is Bluet, Meadow Parsnip, and Canada Mayflower in bloom as well as Rhododendron and Pink and Flame Azalea in Pisgah as well.

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.