Wildflower Reports – 5 June 2023

Rich Mountain Road (from park boundary to Indian Grave Trail) 

  • Basil Bee Balm – Few – Approaching peak bloom.
  • Beard Tongue – Few – Past peak bloom but still nice.
  • Bowman’s Root – Some – Most past peak bloom but a couple of groups with nice blooms.
  • Daisy Fleabane – Many – In the early blooming stage.
  • Flame Azalea – On shrub with nice blooms – At peak bloom.
  • Galax – Many – Most well past peak bloom but some with decent blooms.
  • Goats Beard – Many – Estimated third at peak bloom – rest past peak bloom – Some super beautiful.
  • Indian Pink – Some – At peak bloom (not that common to see in the park).
  • Large Bluet – Many ++ – At peak bloom.
  • Mountain Laurel – Many – Estimated 80% well past peak bloom – still some with nice blooms.
  • Ox Eye Daisy – Many – At peak bloom (attractive).
  • Rosebay Rhododendron – 1 Shrub with three blooms in the early blooming stage.
  • Red Clover – Few – Past peak bloom
  • White Clover – Few – Well past peak bloom.
  • White Milkweed – Few – Approaching peak bloom.
  • Wild Hydrangea – Many ++ – About half in full bloom with many budded. Beautiful.

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Indian Grave Trail (from Rich Mountain Road to Rich Mountain Trail)

  • Canadian Violet – Many – Past peak bloom but still some pretty blooms.
  • Daisy Fleabane – Few – Just starting to bloom.
  • Galax – Many – Most past peak bloom but in higher elevation part of trail many nice blooms.
  • Goats Beard – Few – Most past peak bloom but still a few pretty blooms.
  • Hawkweed – Many – Most at or approaching peak bloom.
  • Large Bluet – Some – At peak bloom.
  • Low Hop Trefoil – Some – Located about 3/10 of mile up trail – At peak bloom. Beautiful but small.
  • Mountain Laurel – Many – Most well past bloom but two shrubs with decent blooms.
  • Ox Eye Daisy – Few – At peak bloom.
  • Red Clover – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Spiderwort – Few – Very beautiful blooms (at peak bloom).
  • Star Grass – Many – At peak bloom (small but bright colored).
  • White Clover – Few – At peak bloom
  • Wild Hydrangea – Many – Close to half of them are at full bloom – others budded.

Rich Mountain Trail – (B-E)

  • Beard Tongue – Few – Past peak bloom.
  • Flame Azalea – Some – At peak bloom – about mile up trail – some bright orange – others yellow. Awesome!
  • Galax – Many – Most past peak bloom but still some nice blooms.
  • Goats Beard – Few – Most past peak bloom but still some decent blooms.
  • Hawkweed – Many – Most at peak bloom.
  • Indian Cucumber Root – Very few – Well past peak bloom.
  • Indian Pink – Some – At peak bloom or just beyond peak bloom – brilliant colors – worth the trip.
  • Large Bluet – Some – At peak bloom.
  • Mountain Laurel – Many – Estimated 80% past peak bloom with a few with scenic blooms.
  • Pipsissewa – Few – In the early blooming stage.
  • Spiderwort – Few – Most at peak bloom with a few past peak blooms. Very vivid colors!
  • Star Grass – Some – At peak bloom.

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