Not just a springtime phenomenon, when pastel blooms carpet the forest floor, wildflower season circles the calendar: from ground-hugging wintergreen that defies January’s ice and snow, to gaudy meadow plants reaching skyward all summer, to cheery witch hazel blooms that brighten gray December woods. Even the tallest “wildflowers,” flowering trees like tulip poplar, mountain magnolia, and silverbells, are among Western North Carolina’s native blooming beauties.
Spring may be the most glorious of all the wildflower seasons in WNC, but finding beautiful blooms is less about specific dates than about matching plants with places. Every square mile of WNC has a different combination of altitude, moisture, sun, and soil type—remnants of the last Ice Age. “Spring” may begin in early March in one place, while just a few miles away it starts in late May. So tailor wildflower expeditions to personal preferences, whether that means steep, rocky climbs or a leisurely stroll. When looking for native flowers to establish in the home landscape, find terrain and conditions as close as possible to your own.
While wildflowers can be spotted on most any trail across the region, a few areas are particularly noteworthy, such as Elk Knob State Park near Boone. In addition to breathtaking panoramic summit views, the park’s bloom calendar lists hundreds of wildflower species in May and June alone—though the biggest wow may be a blaze of native flame azaleas.
Bloomin’ Wild:
