Wildflower Report – Submitted August 28, 2023 – Metcalf Bottoms Trail (B-E)

  • Flowering Spurge – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Golden Rod – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Heal All – Some – Mostly past peak bloom.
  • Spotted Jewelweed – Some – Past peak bloom.
  • Tick Trefoil – Some – Past peak bloom.
  • White Top Aster – Few – At or just past peak bloom.

Wildflower Report – Walker Sisters’ Cabin Trail (B-E)

  • Cardinal Flower – Many – At various stages of the blooming cycle (Some bright red).
  • Daisy Fleabane – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • False Fox Glove – Few – At peak boom (very colorful).
  • Flowering Spurge – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Great Lobelia – Many – Just starting to bloom.
  • Iron Weed – Some – At or just beyond peak bloom.  Beautiful!
  • Phlox – Few – Appear to be at peak bloom.
  • Southern Harebell – Few – Just beyond peak bloom (small but dainty & attractive).
  • Spotted Jewelweed – Many – Mostly past peak bloom.
  • Thistle – (2) – At peak bloom – Below Walker Sisters’ Cabin
  • Tick Trefoil – Many – Past peak bloom.
  • Water Hemlock – Some – At peak bloom.
  • White Top Aster – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Wild Golden Glows – Many – At peak bloom or just beyond.
  • Yellow Asters – Many – At or near peak bloom (several varieties).

Wildflower Report – Little Brier Gap Trail (B-E)

  • Cardinal Flower – Few – At peak bloom (so colorful).
  • Heal All – Few – Past peak bloom.

Wildflower Report – Little Greenbrier Trail (B to Little Brier Trail)

  • Blue Asters – Couple – Appear to be at peak bloom.
  • Coreopsis – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Curtiss Milkwort – Few – At peak bloom (very small but beautiful – easy to miss).
  • False Fox Glove – Some – Some at peak bloom – some just starting to bloom – bright yellow.
  • Flowering Spurge – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Golden Rod – Few – Past peak bloom (several kinds of this flower).
  • Tick Trefoil – Many – Past peak bloom.

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Wear Gap Road – (From Wear Gap to Metcalf Bottoms)

  • Asiatic Dayflower – Some – Very small but absolutely beautiful blue bloom.
  • Black Eyed Susan – Many – Mostly at peak bloom – some past peak bloom.
  • Cardinal Flower – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Coreopsis – Few – At or just beyond peak bloom.
  • Daisy Fleabane – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Flowering Spurge – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Golden Rod – Many – Several varieties – Past peak bloom.
  • Great Lobelia – Some – Just starting to bloom.
  • Heal All – Some – Past peak bloom.
  • Iron Weed – Some – At or just beyond peak bloom.  Vivid Purple.
  • Japanese Honeysuckle – Few
  • Joe Pye Weed – Many – Some at peak bloom & some beyond peak bloom (some very tall ones).
  • Mountain Mint – Many – At peak bloom or just beyond peak bloom.
  • Partridge Pea – Few – At peak bloom – Along this road is the only location that I have found these. Neat!
  • Ragweed – Many + – At peak bloom.
  • Red Clover – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Spotted Jewelweed – Many ++ – Mostly past peak bloom but still some nice ones.
  • Tick Trefoil – Many – Mostly past peak bloom.  Small but colorful.
  • Water Hemlock – Many – At peak bloom.
  • White Clover – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • White Top Aster – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Wild Golden Glow – Many – At or just beyond peak bloom.
  • Wild Potato Vine – Few – At peak bloom (Morning glory family).
  • Yellow Asters – Many – At peak bloom or just beyond.  A number of varieties.
  • Yellow Wood Sorrel – Few – At peak bloom.

Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.