Written by Peyton Taylor
As they say, “April showers bring Hay flowers!” Haywood County is full of so many beautiful blooms just waiting to be discovered by you this Spring. Whether you’re an experienced botanist or simply looking for a backdrop for the perfect Instagram picture, Haywood County has it all.
Spring Flowers
Rhododendron
Blooming in June, the Rhododendron flower fills large bushes with clusters of vivid purple, pink, and white flowers, and can grow up to 25 feet wide. These flowers can be funnel-, bell-, or trumpet-shaped, and they rank among the world’s most beautiful shrubs.
Where to find them:
Graveyard Fields, Art Loeb Trail, Waterrock Knob, Blackrock Mountain
Daffodil
Believed to ensure happiness when gifted in a bouquet, these beautiful yellow flowers are bound to bring you some joy in the coming months. Daffodils are quite tolerant to the cold, but love the warm sunshine of April. Their trumpet and star-shaped flower is extraordinary and they are simply stunning.
Where to find them:
Graveyard Fields, Lake Junaluska
Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurels bloom in May with tiny pink and white star-shaped flowers which have been described as tiny umbrellas! Fun fact: Native Americans used Mountain Laurel bark to fashion spoons, thus giving this bush the name “spoonwood.” These cluster flowers with their unusual shape are not ones to be missed.
Where to find them:
Black Balsam Knob, Graveyard Fields, Waterrock Knob, Art Loeb Trail
Azalea
As a part of the Rhododendron family, Azeleas do not disappoint with their brightly colored pink and orange flowers. The most common types of Azaleas in Haywood County are classic Pinkshell Azaleas, which are light pink and attractive to butterflies, and Flame Azaleas, with striking oranges that resemble fire, thus giving them their name. Azaleas bloom in May and June.
Where to find them:
Lake Junaluska, Black Balsam Knob, Art Loeb Trail
Painted Trillium
These three-petaled flowers bloom in April and May and are also known as “painted ladies.” Their red centers look like they have been hand-painted on and are a great example of the wonders of nature. Make sure you find these delicate flowers hiding in the shade of Haywood County at some popular hiking trails.
Where to find them:
Graveyard Fields, Waterrock Knob
Dogwood
Blooming in May and June, the North Carolina state flower can be found in a pure white or pale pink. Dogwood flowers are known for their four petals with a cleft at each tip and were given as symbols of love in the Victorian era. These trees are the perfect backdrop for your new post on Instagram!
Where to find them:
Downtown Waynesville, Lake Junaluska
Blueberries
Though blueberries are not flowers, this delicious fruit can be found growing in multiple popular hiking spots in Haywood County and could not be left out. These wild blue berries are the perfect snack for hiking and are fun to hunt for on warmer days.
Where to find them:
Graveyard Fields, Max Patch, Waterrock Knob, Black Balsam Knob
U-Pick Flowers
While wildflowers are beautiful enough to bring home, we recommend leaving them for others to see. If you are looking for some beautiful flowers from Haywood County that you can take with you, here are a few places that allow you to pick your own flowers! Make sure to call ahead because U-pick is seasonal.
Genesis Gardens
276 Chambers Farm Ln (in historic Bethel), Canton 28716
(828) 356-4783
Haywood’s only commercial flower farm. 45+ varieties of flowers. U Pick, wedding flowers, and plant starts available.
Frog Holler Organiks
234 Tommy Boyd Road, Waynesville 28785
(828) 356-7652
Open most Sat, March – May, 10:00-2:00 or by appointment. U-Pick flowers and elderberries.
The Ten Acre Garden
158 Chambers Farm Ln (in historic Bethel), Canton 28716
(828) 235-9667
Apr 15-Oct 15, 10-6. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries and seasonal blooms. U Pick, for sale on the farm.
Wildcat Ridge Farm
3553 Panther Creek Rd, Clyde 28721
(828) 627-6751
Fresh cut peonies & plants—herbaceous & intersectional. U Pick or we pick during bloom season. Cut flowers for special events.
When you’re out enjoying the sights and smells of the fresh spring flowers in Haywood County, be sure to take a picture and tag us with #haynow and @visitncsmokies.
