Design

One of the benefits (totally) of being in the Southern Appalachians for the summer is proximity to great trails.  I joke to friends and colleagues during the academic year that "they don't let me out much" meaning that I'm at the Garden all the time, not out hiking.  But nothing to complain about that really. Squaw root ( Conopholis spp.) But it was a joy to spend time on the Mountains to the Sea trail this morning, on a segment just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Silene virginica on a rock outcrop a checker spot (?) basking on a Crateagus branch There were lots of plants in flower, even though we're past the 'main' spring wildflower time. Bowman's Root ( Poteranthus ), Fire Pink ( Silene virginica) , and Mountain Laurel ( Kalmia latifolia ) as well as Flame Azalea were in flower. Kalmia latifoli a (Mountain Laurel) in flower Sedums, Tradenscantia , and Opuntia were on the rock outcrops, segregating themselves to wet and dry areas.

These summer flowers came from a local farmer's market here in the mountains. They're a mixture of native wildflowers (purple coneflower, phlox, and some sort of native grass) and horticultural favorites ( Caryopteris , Scabiosa , and Buddleia ). An enforced hiatus from my garden for some minor surgery has me enjoying the pleasures of wildflowers in a bouquet.