Overview
North Carolina's southern Appalachians are one of the richest wildflower regions in the country, with spring ephemerals in the coves and a long parade of blooms from the mountains to the coast. The season runs from March woodland flowers to fall asters.
This guide covers common and iconic North Carolina wildflowers — how to recognize them and when they bloom. Photograph the flower and leaves and use the app to confirm any bloom you find.
Key Species to Know
Fire Pink
Silene virginica
Brilliant scarlet, star-shaped flowers with notched petals on slender stems, glowing against rocky woodland slopes. A hummingbird magnet.
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
A pure-white, many-petaled spring flower that opens briefly above a single lobed leaf. Named for the red-orange sap in its root.
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
A milkweed topped with flat clusters of brilliant orange flowers, swarming with butterflies in summer. Its sap is not milky like other milkweeds.
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Tall spikes of intense scarlet, tubular flowers along late-summer streambanks — one of the most vivid reds in the eastern flora. Pollinated by hummingbirds.
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Nodding red-and-yellow flowers with backward-pointing spurs, dancing on thin stems over lacy leaves. A hummingbird favorite of rocky woods.
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
A familiar daisy with golden-yellow rays around a dark brown dome, common in meadows and along roads. Bristly stems and leaves.
Seasonal Guide
- March–April: spring ephemerals like bloodroot and trillium peak in the mountain coves.
- May–June: fire pink and columbine glow on rocky slopes and road banks.
- July–September: cardinal flower and asters take over along streams and meadows.
Safety Reminder
Many mountain wildflowers are protected or slow-growing — enjoy and photograph them in place rather than picking or digging. This guide is for identification and enjoyment, not foraging.
Identify it instantly
Found something and not sure what it is? Point your camera with Spotter and get a species identification in seconds — with detailed reference info and species notes.