April 19, 2010 - Now is the best time to get out and see the early spring wildflowers! Have you got your hummingbird feeders out yet? They began to arrive on April 15th, right on time - I always look for them on Tax Day. The warblers are definitely here, so be listening & looking for them too.

Introduction

My observations and fascinations go way beyond wildflowers. I'm doing my best to expand this site, but it definitely needs a rebuild to accomodate everything I've got (including better pictures) make the navigation easy, and make space for comments and contributors! Meanwhile, in addition to the wildflower guide that forms the bulk of this site, you can check out the following too:

17-Year Cicadas 2008	Moths	Frogs	Insects
Critters

The Perfect Gift for Wildflower Lovers

Would you LOVE a wildflower poster, or wildlfower identification cards, or maybe a waterfall poster or notecards or postcards of wildflowers, waterfalls and scenery everywhere from the NC Gorges to the Mountains-to Sea Trail? Then get thee immediately to Steven Faucette's photography website, Reflections Photography. I was so impressed with his inspirational pictures that before I even got to writing this link, I ordered his Wildflower poster and Waterfalls poster. I've asked for nothing in return - just spreadin' the good word :-) Here's a tiny sample - get the full picture and visit his site, I am very happy to recommend his natural and inspirational work.

Growing Native Wildflowers

Finally, after ten years of planting and watching my garden grow, I can safely write about my own experiences with native Southern Appalachian mountain woodland plants. Please scroll down for the list, pictures, and links to information pages.

The BEST source of information for you and your own garden is a nursery or expert in your own area, because it's all about location, location, location - but here are the plants that are doing consistently well in my own small garden. Most can be obtained from reputable nurseries - please see my Plant Sources Page. Please choose your sources carefully!

I also recommend the books by Peter Loewer, an award-winning and internationally-recognized author and illustrator of over 30 published books on plants, gardening, and successfully growing just about anything, anywhere. Visit his site at www.TheWildGardener.com!

In My Garden

Visit the Guide pages for many more native NC wildlfowers.

My garden is located at 2400 feet elevation, under a beech/oak/maple hardwood canopy, mostly facing east. On one side of the house I planted mostly spring wildflowers, because it's shadiest. On the other side I planted summer sunlovers. A few plants are truly wild, they just happen to like my unkempt yard. I do need to water in dry times. The soil is typical loam and leaf mould on top of slightly acidic clay. Sometimes I remove excess dry leaves (when they pile up really thick) and I do apply light mulch (like Nature's Helper) for the more delicate spring plants, and a heavier mulch for the summer asters. I do not fertilize or use any chemicals at all.